Antigua airport reopens after air traffic controllers' strike

Air Traffic Controllers back on the job
(Photo: Maurice F. Merchant)

Monday, November 10, 2003

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Mr Robin Yearwood, Antigua's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Aviation, has thanked air traffic controllers for returning to the job following a one day closure of the airport.

The air traffic controllers began reporting sick on Thursday night over the late payment of salaries and a faulty elevator.

The Aviation Minister who is also the Minister of Finance on Friday began discussions with senior members of the Air Traffic Controllers Guild to arrive at a solution to the problem, which resulted in the government losing millions of dollars in revenue.

On Saturday afternoon the Aviation Minister along with members of a negotiating team held discussions with air traffic The controllers were back on the job on Saturday afternoon before the completion of the discussions.

Minister Robin Yearwood reported to the parties concerned that workers will receive their salaries as of Monday and work is being done to install a new elevator. The Minister agreed that the elevator problem should have been addressed some time ago and efforts will be made to ascertain the reasons for the delay.

He said that the entire developments were unfortunate but pledged to establish a closer working relationship with the department to address all of their concerns.

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