Since last year the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association (JATCA) has been in negotiations with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for an increase in wages and fringe benefits. The JATCA is seeking a 20 – 40 percent increase which would bring them on par with flight safety inspectors.
The Government is insisting that they cannot grant the increase because of the Public Sector Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which essentially freezes all public sector wages from April 01, 2004 to March 31, 2006. The JATCA is insisting that they did not sign the MOU.

Follow up:

The JATCA is also seeking a new health scheme, a loss of license scheme and a special loan scheme. Their claim is that their present health scheme is grossly inadequate. The loss of license scheme will serve to put the controllers at ease if for any reason they are unable to continue working because of illness. This provision is standard to air traffic controllers in other countries. The special loan scheme is to assist the workers financially until the MOU expires March of next year.
With the Christmas holidays fast approaching visitors to the island is on the rise. The number of flights in and out of Jamaica is expected to escalate. What better time for the Air Traffic Controllers to make their demands on Government. ‘Strike while the iron is hot’.
The JATCA has given the CAA a three week ultimatum, finalize an agreement or they will take action. In May of this year the air traffic controllers took industrial action but were forced to return to work after the Government got an injunction from the Supreme Court. It was agreed that a market valuation study was to be done in an effort to justify their wage claims.
Jamaica is depending on this winter season to help restore our tourism product. Any action for any period of time by the air traffic controllers can proof damaging. Let’s hope that some kind of compromise can be reached.
Nuff Love