Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABIDJAN1083
2006-09-26 16:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abidjan
Cable title:
IVOIRIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS LAUNCH SURPRISE
VZCZCXRO0862 OO RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHAB #1083 2691625 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261625Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1963 RUEANHA/FAA HQ WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHBSA/FAA EUROPE AFRICA MID EAST RGN HQ BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1446
UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CI EAIR ECON ELAB FAA PREL
SUBJECT: IVOIRIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS LAUNCH SURPRISE
STRIKE
UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001083
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CI EAIR ECON ELAB FAA PREL
SUBJECT: IVOIRIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS LAUNCH SURPRISE
STRIKE
1. All air traffic at Abidjan airport was halted September 26
when Cote d'Ivoire's national air traffic controllers, the
local branch of ASECNA, launched a strike. Union contacts
told us the strike was called to protest "inappropriate
working conditions", which included outdated radar equipment
as well as unspecified contraventions of international
professional standards related to pay and benefits. The
strike, which grounded even UN flights in and out of Abidjan,
was unannounced, and union contacts told us it is planned to
last three days. Controllers did make an exception to allow
President Gbagbo and South African President Mbeki to fly to
Ouagadougou the morning of September 26, for a
suddenly-announced trip to meet with President Campaore of
Burkina Faso.
2. As of the afternoon of September 26th, the union was still
in negotiations with the Ministry of Transport. No word was
available as to the progress of talks. Contacts from Air
France tell us that they have a flight en route from Paris
scheduled to arrive around 1800 local time which they will
divert to Lome if the aircraft is not allowed to land here.
We will monitor the situation closely.
Valle
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CI EAIR ECON ELAB FAA PREL
SUBJECT: IVOIRIAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS LAUNCH SURPRISE
STRIKE
1. All air traffic at Abidjan airport was halted September 26
when Cote d'Ivoire's national air traffic controllers, the
local branch of ASECNA, launched a strike. Union contacts
told us the strike was called to protest "inappropriate
working conditions", which included outdated radar equipment
as well as unspecified contraventions of international
professional standards related to pay and benefits. The
strike, which grounded even UN flights in and out of Abidjan,
was unannounced, and union contacts told us it is planned to
last three days. Controllers did make an exception to allow
President Gbagbo and South African President Mbeki to fly to
Ouagadougou the morning of September 26, for a
suddenly-announced trip to meet with President Campaore of
Burkina Faso.
2. As of the afternoon of September 26th, the union was still
in negotiations with the Ministry of Transport. No word was
available as to the progress of talks. Contacts from Air
France tell us that they have a flight en route from Paris
scheduled to arrive around 1800 local time which they will
divert to Lome if the aircraft is not allowed to land here.
We will monitor the situation closely.
Valle