TO DATE, there has been no definitive denial by the Ministry of Transport to the charge made several days ago by Howard Greaves, president of the Air Traffic Controllers Association, that a shortage of air traffic controllers is compromising air safety for airline passengers in Jamaican air space.
The charge, coming as it does as part of a long, drawn-out wage negotiation with the Government which is resisting a 20 - 30 per cent increase being demanded by the controllers, could be seen as self-serving and disingenuous. On the other hand, the charge is either true or it is not, and the silence from the Government has been disturbingly deafening. Flight safety over Jamaica's territory is not just a matter of concern to locals but to the many visitors who come here. This issue should not be left hanging.
In a report on the matter earlier this week, Earl Richards, president of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, said while he was not aware of the staff shortage, it would be a matter of concern because of the implications for air traffic safety.
The public needs an assurance from the minister with portfolio responsibility that the situation either is not as grave as made out by the air traffic controllers or that it is being addressed urgently. If Mr. Greaves was simply being mischievous then he should be censured.
In relation to the wage claim by the air traffic controllers, such a level of increase would have serious repercussions for the fragile Government of Jamaica/trade unions memorandum of understanding which is already under severe pressure. Nevertheless, Mr. Greaves' warning cannot be ignored. According to him, the present salary levels are so low that trained air traffic controllers are deserting the profession for more lucrative jobs.
Air traffic controllers are subject to great job stress and if called on to work too long hours, errors of judgment might occur, leading to fatal accidents. As we understand it, no one shift for a controller should exceed four hours. This is another question of fact and should be able to be benchmarked against international standards. But the quantum of wages to be paid is another matter. Treating working hours and wages as two separate issues may help the parties to arrive at a settlement which will take into account not only national air safety but the national economy as well.
There can be and shold be no compromise with safety when it comes to the number of hours Jamaican air controllers are obliged to work.
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