Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GEORGETOWN71
2009-02-02 19:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STRIKE MAKES GUYANA'S
how-toVZCZCXRO1189 OO RUEHGR DE RUEHGE #0071 0331923 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021923Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7002 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FAA WASHINGTON ARTCC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000071
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECIN ELAB
SUBJECT: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STRIKE MAKES GUYANA'S
SKIES NOT SO FRIENDLY
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000071
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECIN ELAB
SUBJECT: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STRIKE MAKES GUYANA'S
SKIES NOT SO FRIENDLY
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (U) An air traffic controllers strike has caused
cancellations of at least two daily Caribbean Airlines
flights and closed Guyana's international airport during
night hours. Daytime arrivals and departures, which include
a four-time weekly Delta flight, are so far unaffected.
Senior staff members currently man the tower during the day,
but do not have enough staff to operate it 24 hours. The
strike, begun January 30, comes as delegations arrive for the
official launch of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security
Oversight System (CASSOS),which promotes the development of
civil aviation in the Caribbean Community and formalizes
arrangements for the sharing of technical expertise and other
resources in the aviation sector.
2. (U) The air traffic controllers demand wage increases and
better benefits, including duty free concessions for some
staff. Press reports that the strike comes on the heels of
the Minister of Works and Transport stopping a payment that
the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) planned to give
its employees.
3. (SBU) Comment: The international airport suffers from the
same poor management and lack of resources that affect most
entities in Guyana. The current strike follows a string of
troubles at the airport in recent months, including the
cancellation of night flights in September 2008 due to runway
light failure. President Jagdeo, who himself is out of the
country, has yet to comment publicly on the labor dispute,
though he is not expected to take a hard line against the
strikers. End comment.
Jones
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECIN ELAB
SUBJECT: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS STRIKE MAKES GUYANA'S
SKIES NOT SO FRIENDLY
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (U) An air traffic controllers strike has caused
cancellations of at least two daily Caribbean Airlines
flights and closed Guyana's international airport during
night hours. Daytime arrivals and departures, which include
a four-time weekly Delta flight, are so far unaffected.
Senior staff members currently man the tower during the day,
but do not have enough staff to operate it 24 hours. The
strike, begun January 30, comes as delegations arrive for the
official launch of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security
Oversight System (CASSOS),which promotes the development of
civil aviation in the Caribbean Community and formalizes
arrangements for the sharing of technical expertise and other
resources in the aviation sector.
2. (U) The air traffic controllers demand wage increases and
better benefits, including duty free concessions for some
staff. Press reports that the strike comes on the heels of
the Minister of Works and Transport stopping a payment that
the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) planned to give
its employees.
3. (SBU) Comment: The international airport suffers from the
same poor management and lack of resources that affect most
entities in Guyana. The current strike follows a string of
troubles at the airport in recent months, including the
cancellation of night flights in September 2008 due to runway
light failure. President Jagdeo, who himself is out of the
country, has yet to comment publicly on the labor dispute,
though he is not expected to take a hard line against the
strikers. End comment.
Jones