Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARAMARIBO479
2007-09-10 20:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
FRESH THREATS OF AIRPORT STRIKE IN SURINAME
how-toVZCZCXRO3187 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHPO #0479 2532019 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 102019Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9661 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1161
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000479
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - Jackie Rosholt
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELAB PGOV NS
SUBJECT: FRESH THREATS OF AIRPORT STRIKE IN SURINAME
REF: PARAMARIBO 477
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000479
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - Jackie Rosholt
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELAB PGOV NS
SUBJECT: FRESH THREATS OF AIRPORT STRIKE IN SURINAME
REF: PARAMARIBO 477
1. (U) SUMMARY Immediate fears that all flight operations at the
Johan Adolf International airport would be suspended from midnight
on September 7 were alleviated when the labor union and the board of
Airport Management chose the path of dialogue. However, union
members almost immediately rejected the agreement, and the union
issued a fresh ultimatum. The ultimatum is likely another bluff.
END SUMMARY
2. (U) A strike at the international airport was averted late
Friday evening (September 7) when the Government of Suriname and
union leaders agreed on a ten percent salary increase over 2007,
plus an additional lump sum payment of 400 Surinamese Dollars
(approx. U.S. $143). However, employees later rejected this
agreement, stating that it does not include enough guarantees that
they would indeed receive the salary increase. Employees also
demanded that the government take a decision regarding airport tax
tariffs and on the title to the land the airport is built on. The
union has given the government another ultimatum: suspension of all
operations at the airport if demands have not been met by midnight
Tuesday, September 11.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Neither local media nor the Ministry
responsible for the airport (Transport, Communication, and Tourism)
has taken much note of the strike. The non-salary demands reflect
more of a "management" agenda, lending credence to the theory
(reftel) that union leadership and "Airport Management" are
collaborating to achieve their respective aims. Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Head of the Americas Division Terence Craig concurred
privately that the strike threat was likely cooked up by the union
and the management at the airport in an attempt to embarrass the
government. As with the Friday ultimatum, the new Tuesday ultimatum
is almost certainly a bluff. END COMMENT
SCHREIBER HUGHES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - Jackie Rosholt
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ELAB PGOV NS
SUBJECT: FRESH THREATS OF AIRPORT STRIKE IN SURINAME
REF: PARAMARIBO 477
1. (U) SUMMARY Immediate fears that all flight operations at the
Johan Adolf International airport would be suspended from midnight
on September 7 were alleviated when the labor union and the board of
Airport Management chose the path of dialogue. However, union
members almost immediately rejected the agreement, and the union
issued a fresh ultimatum. The ultimatum is likely another bluff.
END SUMMARY
2. (U) A strike at the international airport was averted late
Friday evening (September 7) when the Government of Suriname and
union leaders agreed on a ten percent salary increase over 2007,
plus an additional lump sum payment of 400 Surinamese Dollars
(approx. U.S. $143). However, employees later rejected this
agreement, stating that it does not include enough guarantees that
they would indeed receive the salary increase. Employees also
demanded that the government take a decision regarding airport tax
tariffs and on the title to the land the airport is built on. The
union has given the government another ultimatum: suspension of all
operations at the airport if demands have not been met by midnight
Tuesday, September 11.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Neither local media nor the Ministry
responsible for the airport (Transport, Communication, and Tourism)
has taken much note of the strike. The non-salary demands reflect
more of a "management" agenda, lending credence to the theory
(reftel) that union leadership and "Airport Management" are
collaborating to achieve their respective aims. Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Head of the Americas Division Terence Craig concurred
privately that the strike threat was likely cooked up by the union
and the management at the airport in an attempt to embarrass the
government. As with the Friday ultimatum, the new Tuesday ultimatum
is almost certainly a bluff. END COMMENT
SCHREIBER HUGHES