The Air Traffic Controllers at the Kotoka International Airport is stating that the withdrawal of their services to local flights on March 4 cannot be described as an industrial action.
A statement from the Ghana Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (GHATCA) said: “Capacity reduction on March 4 this year to ensure safe operations cannot be described as a strike.”
The GHATCA statement signed by its President, Michael K. Atiemo addressed to the Acting Executive Director of National Labour Commission (NLC) said “Air Traffic Controllers did not embark on industrial action on March 4. We did not withdraw our services and therefore finds it difficult to understand why NLC described the capacity reduction as illegal strike.”
The statement explained the association could reduce capacity based on the structural complexity of the control area, the control sector or the aerodrome concerned and controller workload, including control and coordination tasks to be performed.
Other reasons for capacity reduction depends on the types of communications, navigation and surveillance systems in use, their degree of technical reliability and availability as well as the availability of backup systems and or procedures; availability of ATC systems providing controller support and alert functions; and element deemed relevant to controller workload.
The GHATCA said it was made clear to the NLC that capacity reduction did not constitute strike.
“We wish to state that the issues we have raised with the Minister of Transport bother on safety and if they remain unresolved, we will not hesitate to further reduce capacity to safeguard safety in our operations.”
The statement added “We will take any action to safeguard the safety of the travelling and general public than worry about its legality. The Association going by its aims and objectives will not condone any illegality that may affect aviation safety and for that matter, may have dire consequences on the travelling public”.
“We will therefore appeal to you to exercise the maximum caution in dealing with aviation maters,” the statement stated.
Source: GNA