ITF/IFATCA : Unacceptable Mistreatment of Air Traffic Controllers in ASECNA Countries
L'International Transport Federation et l'IFATCA condamnent le réflexe autoritaire des gouvernements africains à l'encontre de nos collègues grévistes.
"The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the
International Federation Of Air Traffic Controllers Associations
(IFATCA) jointly condemns the actions of the ASECNA authorites to
detain, suspend and otherwise harass the air traffic controllers of our
members in the federation of ASECNA.
We have been following the recent events and are aware of the
industrial action which has recently taken place and the suspensions
which followed for 14 of our affiliates members.
We were
particularly concerned at this response since the strike was suspended
by our affiliates in its second day after receiving verbal promises
from the Prime Minister of Niger.
We now understand that the
Burkina Faso authorities have also decided to dissolve the federation
of ASECNA ATC association (FAPCAA).
This sequence of events is
unnecessarily escalating an already difficult situation in the region.
Our members suspended the strike in good faith on the second day and
yet have been seriously abused by suspensions and their Union
threatened with de-recognition. We ask you urgently to lift the
suspensions immediately and to refrain from further sanctions in order
to establish a positive framework in which management and union leaders
can come
together and begin to discuss the issues and reach a satisfactory way forward for everyone.
It
should be noted that the ICAO Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI) region
which encompasses the ASECNA States in Africa, is to implement Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) procedures in the region with effect
from 25 September 2008. Needless to say, the safe and efficient
introduction of RVSM requires the availability of an adequate number of
properly qualified and highly motivated workforce of air traffic
controllers. ASECNAs
action to continue the suspension and support
of detention of a number of controllers is a very negative development
that threatens to affect the safety of flight operations in the
airspace and airports under ASECNAs control.
It
is vital for our members but also for the economies and general well
being of the various states in the region, that air traffic control
services are placed on a more secure basis which will continue to give
confidence to the traveling public. Only an effective return to the
negotiating table can achieve this goal."