Nassau, Bahamas - (Statement) The Ministry of
Transport & Aviation is very concerned about the comments attributed to the
President of the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU), Ms. Lashan
Gray, in this morning’s issue of The Tribune newspaper, in which the President
suggests that the Union may be considering taking industrial action over the
Easter holidays. The Ministry is shocked at the President’s implied threat to
disrupt air traffic services unduly, and without cause, and thereby
inconvenience the travelling public.
In fact, just
yesterday, (1st April, 2015), the President was informed in writing by
the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport & Aviation that the
Public Treasury is preparing payments for the holidays worked, and that the
said payments will be made by Tuesday, 7th April, 2015. There is
therefore no basis, in fact or in law for any such disruptive action in respect
of an essential service. The Ministry advises that such action would not only
be gratuitous, but would be a gross interference with the enjoyment of
Bahamians and others over the Easter holidays.
Further, the
Ministry has been informed by aviation stakeholders that the pronouncements by
the President of the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union have created alarm
in both the domestic and international aviation sectors. The possibility has now arisen, based on
information the Ministry is receiving, that these airlines will make business
decisions that may divert Tourism traffic away from the Commonwealth of The
Bahamas. The economic implications for the Bahamian people are obvious. The
Ministry calls upon the President of the Union to act responsibly in the
interest of the country.