By SEAN DOUGLAS Monday, November 23 2009

CIVIL Aviation Authority (CAA) chairman Ramesh Lutchmedial, yesterday vowed that Piarco Airport will stay open for this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), as he reacted to reported threats of industrial action by air-traffic controllers.

Over the weekend, air-traffic controllers threatened to embark on sick-out action on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, which could affect the arrival and departure of CHOGM guests, and potentially derail the conference. However, Lutchmedial told Newsday the air traffic controllers are an essential service under the law, who are legally debarred from taking industrial action.

“I’m not aware of any planned action,” he said.

He said under the Industrial Relations Act, the air-traffic controllers are an essential service, for which any form of industrial action is outlawed.

Lutchmedial further said, “An injunction is in place to stop any employee of the Civil Aviation Authority taking industrial action. ”

The injunction, he said, has been in place the past two years.

Describing reports of a sick-out as “a totally unfounded allegation”, he said the CAA is working with the Public Service Association (PSA) to resolve the relevant labour matters. “We are not aware of any industrial action planned,” he repeated. Lutchmedial said the CAA has a contingency plan.

“We have contingencies in place, in the event of such an unfortunate thing, so CHOGM will not be disrupted. We have put things in place to ensure CHOGM will not be disrupted,” said Lutchmedial. He said the safety and security of aviation is the responsibility of the CAA which functions in a most serious manner. Lutchmedial said reports of an air-traffic controller committing suicide because of insufficient medical leave were unfounded.

Minister of National Security Martin Joseph, yesterday told Newsday he was unaware of any alleged sick-out by air traffic controllers. Seeming unfazed by the reports, he said any such issue could be discussed today when he attends the usual daily meeting of the Cabinet committee on CHOGM.