Isn’t This Comforting. Civil servants are going to strike again in Aruba … Air traffic controllers Tower to be Staffed with Two People

Its ok in Aruba to strike when it comes to wages, but not safety. These are the same people that state that its wrong to boycott Aruba with regards to “Justice for Natalee”. However, its perfectly fine for employees to protest and put others in harms way in the process.

Tourist traveling to Aruba, be on guard … the air traffic control tower employees are on strike and the air traffic control tower will be only staffed with two people. There is some concern and safety for tourists flying to Aruba. It is simply amazing that individuals in Aruba will strike when its about the money, but do not strike, protest or even complain when its about justice. There also seems to be a general apathy when it comes to tourist safety, rather than the almighty florin. If Aruba thinks it has tourism issues now following the shoddy investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, they best hope and pray that nothings happens to any commercial flights while air traffic controllers are on strike.

The first walk out will be that of the air traffic controllers starting tomorrow at 13:00, and followed by a general strike on Monday from 08:30 on.

The employees working at the airport and in the harbour must inform the government of their actions 24 hours in advance.  The unions announced the action of the air traffic controllers in a letter to the government yesterday.  The tower will be staffed by just two people tomorrow from 13:00 till 18:00.

Civil servants are going to strike again (Amigoe: April 6, 2008)

ORANJESTAD – The civil servants associated with the SDA-unions, are going to demonstrate again.  The unions have sent a last proposal to the government yesterday afternoon, but the government won’t accept it, says finance-minister Nilo Swaen.  The first walk out will be that of the air traffic controllers starting tomorrow at 13:00, and followed by a general strike on Monday from 08:30 on.

The unions have promised to comply with the verdict of the Judge, who decided yesterday that the civil servants are allowed to go on strike, but with restrictions.  The employees working at the airport and in the harbour must inform the government of their actions 24 hours in advance.  The unions announced the action of the air traffic controllers in a letter to the government yesterday.  The tower will be staffed by just two people tomorrow from 13:00 till 18:00.

The unions also informed the government about the actions of the other employees that have no restrictions, which starts on Monday from 08:30 on.  On Tuesday follows deliberation on another action at the airport, while the personnel of the KIA, police, CEA, IASA, and fire department will also demonstrate on that same day.  They will make sure there is minimum staffing though.  According to the exception imposed by the judge for the fire department, the stations in San Nicolas and Tanki Flip will continue working as usual.  Only the fire department personnel at the airport will walkout on Tuesday between noon and 18:00 on Tuesday.   

Spokesperson Magaly Brito said that the actions will continue till the government agrees with the last proposal of the unions, in which they ask for a salary increase of 170 florins per month per civil servant effective January 1 of this year.  They also want an indexation of 10.8 percent spread over three years (2009 up till 2011 inclusive).  In addition, they want an increase of the bashi-premium with 1.2 percent.  They finally want that also the retired civil servants start receiving the bashi-premium starting next year and also retroactively for 2006, 2007, and 2008.