02 Jul 2004
Police force workers out in Costa Rica air traffic control dispute

The ITF has expressed solidarity with Costa Rica air traffic controllers’ union Sindicato de Controladores Profesionales en Tránsito Aéreo, SITECNA, whose members were forcibly ejected from the air traffic control tower by 20 policemen.

The ITF has expressed solidarity with 96 Costa Rican air traffic controllers and 30 flight information service representatives forcibly removed by police from their workplace last Saturday, 26th June.

Members of the ITF-affiliated air traffic controllers’ union Sindicato de Controladores Profesionales en Tránsito Aéreo – SITECNA took industrial action last week to resolve long-term grievances – but were maintaining a minimum service.

“We usually remain at the place of work to take care of emergencies, ambulance flights or unusual situations” explained Gerardo Jimenez, General Secretary of the air traffic controllers’ union Sindicato de Controladores Profesionales en Tránsito Aéreo – SITECNA.

Around twenty police entered the air traffic control tower and ejected the protesters. It later transpired that the transport ministry had recruited strike breakers from Peru, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras.

The ITF has contacted aviation unions in the region to warn them that the Costa Rican authorities may try to hire replacement workers from other countries.

ITF Assistant General Secretary Stuart Howard said:

“The use of strike breakers is a blatantly anti trade union act – we call upon the authorities in Costa Rica to withdraw any attempts to use them and to re-enter meaningful negotiations with the ITF’s affiliate.

“We are concerned at the potential threat to safety by these actions and will be investigating the situation further and shall not hesitate to highlight any threats to aviation safety caused by these actions”, he added.