FIJI Airports air traffic controllers say the company is muddying the waters when it comes to the issue of pay rises which they have been fighting for over the past two years.
Responding to a statement from Fiji Airports yesterday, spokesman Kolokesa Kini said they wanted an increase of their base salaries.
“They continue to deflect on the issue which is the base salary for each air traffic controller,” he said.
“Right now, their base salaries are between $32,000 and $54,000 when they are talking about increments to our gross pay.
“Those are two different things. There is a misrepresentation here.
“Anything that goes beyond that comes from overtime and allowances which is rightfully theirs.”
He explained that the air traffic controllers deserved to be paid a salary similar to their colleagues in Australia and New Zealand.
“We know the value of our work and we are asking the company to acknowledge it. The expectation is there for us to perform like that of New Zealand and Australia and we only ask that we also be paid like their air traffic controllers.”
In a statement yesterday, Fiji Airports communications and public relations manager Christopher Chand said the claims by Mr Kini that the air traffic controllers had not received any pay rise for the past six years were irresponsible.
“The fact is that pay rises were given to our controllers in 2014, 2015 and 2017,” he said.
“In the last five years, from 2013 to 2017, our controllers on average earned 61 per cent more in gross pay, for 43 per cent less workload in overtime.
“The reduction in workload is attributed to increase in numbers by 31 per cent in that period.
“This gross pay is made up of the three pay rises and multiple allowance increases in 2014, 2015 and 2017 plus promotions within the air traffic management structure through active trainings that we conduct with our controllers.”
He said by comparison in the four years before 2013, the gross pay had increased on average by 1 per cent. “Fiji Airports has advised all controllers that it is not opposed to a pay rise.
“Presently, a pay rise was under contemplation with two internal papers already under discussion.
“However, Fiji Airports was opposed to the manner in which a pay rise was being demanded under a threat.”
Mr Chand also addressed comments made by Mr Kini about safety issues at the airports.
“Safety is our paramount consideration.
“Contrary to irresponsible statements by Mr Kini, no air traffic controller has been working continuously for 96 hours.
“Fiji Airports has put in place an approved procedure that significantly reduces the workload and traffic congestion in our airspace.
“To give you a perspective, there are up to 130 circuits training flights in a day in the Nadi airspace. These have been restricted in deference to safety. There are currently on average 30 international flight movements (15 in and 15 out), and 50 domestic flight movements (25 in and out) in a day — these are our main priority.”
