In light of the strike going on at the PLS airport which hased ceased all air traffic operations, TCIG CEO Patrick Boyle issues the following statement to RTC news.
“The wildcat strike was called following firefighters responding to letters received last week explaining that they were to be transferred from TCIG to TCI Aviation Authority management,” said Patrick Boyle, Chief Executive, Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
“This straightforward transfer would have guaranteed their continuity of service and preserved their terms and conditions, and allowed more coherent management at the airport. To be clear, the job expected of them and how they are financially rewarded would not change.
“Responding to their demands today, I said that I would stop the transfer – they can stay as they are if that is what they prefer. However, the fire fighters want to be made redundant from TCIG, for them to receive lump sum compensation payments totalling $3m between them, and then for them to carry on doing the same job for the TCIAA.
This is clearly not a good use of TCI taxpayer’s money. “Providenciales currently has enough staff to allow it to operate light aircraft. One of these has been sent to South Caicos Airport to collect additional staff there.
When these arrive shortly in Provo, larger aircraft will begin to take off and land again this evening.”
