Joint Press Statement
Ministry of Tourism, Aviation, Culture & the Environment
Ministry of Labour, Public Administration & Empowerment
Guild of Antigua & Barbuda Air Traffic Control Officers, GABATCO
October 06, 2007
St. John's, Antigua
The Executive of the Guild of Antigua and Barbuda Air Traffic Control Officers, GABATCO, the Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Hon. Harold Lovell and Labour and Public Administration Minister, Hon. Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro concluded a three hour long meeting at noon, satisfied with the outcome of their discussions.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Tourism conference room; was convened by Prime Minister Hon. Baldwin Spencer who brought all the parties to the table, gave a brief overview and then withdrew from the meeting, leaving Aviation Minister Harold Lovell to chair the proceedings.
Present at the meeting were Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Harold Lovell; Minister of Labour & Public Administration, Hon. Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro; President of the Guild, Bernard Attwood; General Secretary, Natasha Mussington and four executive members of the Guild; Antigua and Barbuda Trade Union Congress, ABTUC President, Maurice Christian; Labour Commissioner, Hesketh Williams; Chief Establishment Officer, Ruthlyn Hector, and Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority, Ken Hurst.
The major issues discussed were: the collective agreement, negotiations for a new contract, and the transition of the employment status of Guild members from the civil service to the Airport Authority. The parties decided to commence discussions on the new contract and matters relating to the outstanding contract at a meeting to be held with government’s negotiating team, headed by Chief Establishment Officer, Ruthlyn Hector, on Tuesday October 09th, 2007. Negotiations and discussions on the transition to the Authority would be further discussed at a meeting to be held of Friday October 12th, 2007. It was also agreed that at least one meeting a month would be held with the steering committee to continue hammering out the administrative, legal and human resource matters related to the transition.
Other issues raised at this morning’s marathon meeting included conditions of work and other human and physical resource needs which will be hammered out between Chief Executive Officer Ken Hurst and GABATCO during the coming week.
It was agreed by all parties that there should be more communication between the various arms of government and the Union in an effort to keep the Guild informed on the progress of negotiation and to allay fears and feelings of frustration. All parties described the meeting as “amicable” and “cordial”. The meeting was held in a spirit of openness, frankness, fairness, rationality and respect.
