On Tuesday, representatives of the air-traffic controllers’ trade union (ZZKRL) met for a second day of talks with the CEO of Poland’s air-traffic regulator, PANSA, the rdc.pl website reported.
One of the trade union negotiators, Anna Garwolińska, told the website that the strike was about “better work organisation.”
“Proper work organisation ensures the safety of both passengers and air-traffic controllers,” she said, adding: “We want to agree on principles and for pay rules to be transparent.”
Air traffic controllers go on strike
This week’s talks came after the strike caused delays to departures and arrivals at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport over the weekend, rdc.pl reported.
PANSA said it was dealing with “a growing number of absences among controllers,” with many going on sick leave. “This is causing delays in air traffic,” it added.
So far, 170 of Warsaw’s 208 air traffic controllers have tendered their resignations, according to the trade union. The contracts of 50 of those employees have expired by now, while the remaining 120 are contracted until the end of April, Garwolińska said.
Bone of contention: new pay rules
The strike broke out after PANSA introduced new pay rules late last year, rdc.pl reported. Part of an overhaul of the agency, the plan “removes disparities in the pay of the operational staff and introduces a system of incentives,” according to officials.
PANSA said air traffic controllers could now earn up to PLN 45,000 (EUR 9,680) a month, including bonuses.
According to the agency, some 75 percent of its work force, including controllers at regional control centres, approved the new rules.
However, air traffic controllers in Warsaw rejected them, leading to the strike, rdc.pl reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: rdc.pl, pansa.pl