Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08REYKJAVIK123
2008-06-27 16:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Reykjavik
Cable title:  

ICELANDIC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS END THEIR BRIEF ANNOUNCED

Tags:  EAIR IC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRK #0123 1791646
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271646Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3710
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0147
RUEANHA/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000123 

LONDON FOR FAA CHRISTOPHER BARKS
STATE FOR EUR/NB

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR IC
SUBJECT: ICELANDIC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS END THEIR BRIEF ANNOUNCED
STRIKE

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000123

LONDON FOR FAA CHRISTOPHER BARKS
STATE FOR EUR/NB

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR IC
SUBJECT: ICELANDIC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS END THEIR BRIEF ANNOUNCED
STRIKE


1. (U) In early June, Icelandic air traffic controllers demanded
better pay, hours and working conditions and declared if their
demands were not met, they would strike for four hours daily
beginning June 27. No agreement on these issues was reached and the
controllers began the announced strike on June 27, grounding all but
two international and domestic flights. The controllers reached an
agreement with airport authorities almost immediately and the strike
ended after just two hours. The agreement includes a 4.75 percent
increase in pay with an additional increase of 3 percent to be added
in February 2009. Cumulatively, this will result in an 11 percent
increase in wages for air traffic controllers. Air traffic
controller instructors are also to receive an increased fee of .5
percent for each student taught. To address working hours, the
agreement calls for the hiring of more air traffic controllers.


2. (U) The strike - timed during the height of tourist season -
could have had grave consequences for Iceland's economy. In 2006
two million passengers came through the international airport and
tourism is the third largest sector of the economy. With just a
single ferry connecting the east coast to northern Europe, Iceland
is also reliant on air transport to stay connected with the rest of
the world. Ragnhildur Hjaltadottir, Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Communication, confirmed the terms of the agreement to
Pol Intern and also stressed that there was no official involvement
of the government in the agreement.

VAN VOORST