Air Traffic Controllers Call Off Strike

Accra, (Greater Accra) 7 Nov. The air traffic controllers today called off their strike. A statement issued at a meeting between the strikers, management and board of directors of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said they will resume work tomorrow. The statement signed by Mr. Alex Amofa, President of the Ghana Air Traffic Controllers' Association read: ''We the members of the Ghana Air Traffic Controllers Association in the supreme interest of the nation and safety have decided to restore our services with effect from Saturday, November eight, 1997. ''The action is to enable the appropriate authorities to intervene and resolve the impasse''. The air traffic controllers started their strike on Sunday to back demands for pay rise and better working conditions. They want a monthly salary of 1,400 dollars, up from 130 dollars. Other demands include car loans and accommodation. They also want the GCAA to implement the International Labour Organization's classification which puts air traffic controllers, pilots, captains of merchant ships and flight engineers in the same category. As part of a contingency plan, management put together a team of management personnel, instructors, and air traffic controllers from ''friendly neighbouring countries'' to contain the situation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Roads and Transport has constituted an independent committee to review the events leading to the strike by air traffic controllers and to recommend measures to forestall its recurrence. A statement issued in Accra today by the Deputy Minister, Mr. Steven Akorli said any acts of indiscipline that will jeopardise national security and safety of air traffic movement in the Accra Flight Information region will not be countenanced. The ministry said it viewed with serious concern the ''unilateral action'' taken by the air traffic controllers to withdraw their services without due recourse to the normal established grievance procedures. ''The ministry notes that without the prompt action by the management of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in implementing the contingency plans at the Kotoka International Airport, flight safety and national security would have been gravely compromised and jeopardised. ''Nevertheless, the nation has been embarrassed by the controllers' indiscretion.'' The ministry asked the air traffic controllers and other workers manning strategic facilities to distance themselves from the temptation of holding the country to ransom for short-term gains.