News
Short Airport shut down but guests take to social media as TCIAA scrambles to get Firefighters back to work
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2022 – Tens of flights were delayed last Saturday when firefighters at the Providenciales International Airport went on strike for more than three hours over dissatisfaction with their wage increases. The strike occurred on one of the busiest days of the year with 35 commercial flights scheduled to land in the Turks and Caicos. All domestic flights and at least two international flights were canceled or held up because of the strike.
Private air carriers also experienced delays. Caicos Express Airways said their morning flights were all delayed and several passengers cancelled due to the delays. Provo Air Center said they had one cancellation (a fuel stop) and four delays with some passengers having to completely reschedule. Additionally, some commercial passengers got frustrated with the airport and called for charter flights instead.
InterCaribbean Airways had to cancel 10 flights. Blue Heron aviation said the delay did not greatly affect them as they only had one cancellation. All of this within a three hour timespan on June 18, 2022 when the fire crew at the airport, without warning, took industrial action.
As for the reasoning behind the strike the firefighters say the increase offered to them is comparatively thought to be not as good as it is for others employed by the Airports Authority.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) confirmed the issue around 8:00 am but it is thought to have been affecting the airport from before 7:00 am. The TCIAA told the public they would be ‘temporarily unable to accommodate air traffic’ as flights cannot be given clearance to land without firefighters on-site in case of an accident.
TCIAA officials immediately met with the firefighters in an effort to iron out the issue and restore services and they were successful in reaching a temporary solution the TCIAA confirmed. Firefighters returned to work around 11:18 am but the contents of that meeting have not yetmbeen made public.
Lyndon Gardiner, Chairman of interCaribbean Airways praised the swift resolution between the two teams noting that in the past similar action had spread over days causing massive delays. Firefighters have had to resort to industrial action several times in the last 4 years. They were on strike in August 2019 and again in May 2021 both times resulted in much longer delays.
The travelling public was well aware of the strike commented on sites like TripAdvisor (the world’s largest travel website) immediately picked up on the issue. Tourist comments on the site ranged from outraged to disappointed.
“A total mess. What an embarrassment for TCI Tourism and waste of time and money for so many,” one individual lamented.
Another who appeared to be on the island said, “How awful for those trying to get here. (And I hope this is cleared up by Tuesday when we are set to return home.) I saw that the early Jet Blue flight out of JFK this morning made it halfway to Providenciales before being diverted back to JFK.”
Just after 11 a.m. one person who seemed to have been caught up in the incident said, “I am one of the ones stuck now hearing the PLS airport is open again. But we are already canceled and back with our luggage in a long ticketing line trying to see if they will do a special flight later today or tomorrow. This is after being in the air for over an hour and returning to Boston. JB has been waiting for the go-ahead since we came back at about 8:30 am from the
Turks govt to see if the flight can come in on a new schedule. Huge black eye for Turks. What a huge upset for all these folks and families…. Pay the firefighters a fair wage.”
Despite this the TCIAA spoke directly to the public, noting that they had the firefighter & #39;s best interest at heart and said the firefighters were upset because their pay increases would be staggered.
“The TCIAA wishes to advise that it has and continues to prioritize improving work conditions and salaries/wages at the TCIAA. Today’s industrial action occurred without any formal notice issued to the TCIAA and in response to a recent announcement by the TCIAA to its staff that it was immediately introducing a phased salary increase to all staff. To this end, the fire service received a 15 percent increase to be applied to all staff within the department. The announcement advised that this 15 percent increase was the first step of a two-part process leading to the introduction of a salary grading scale, during which time an additional increase was to be anticipated, ” a press release explained.
The TCIAA did not explain whether they had consulted with the firefighters on the nature of the increase and if it was a workable solution for them. The TCIAA say they are working to upgrade the fire tower to make employees more comfortable and would be working with the government on increases as the staff deserved it.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY, LIMITED
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is proud to announce the launch of Tech Edge 2.0, a paid remote internship program, connecting eligible Bahamian candidates—both locally and abroad—with global career-building opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, mobile app development, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to GBPA exe
cutives, this initiative is a significant step in positioning Grand Bahama as a leader in the digital economy while providing Bahamians with valuable experience in high-demand tech fields.
“Tech Edge 2.0 is more than an internship program—it is a pipeline to professional success”, commented Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama. “With nearly 200 Bahamians already registered, including Bahamians residing in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and across the islands of The Bahamas, this program is bridging the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with job-ready skills and fostering a new generation of innovators ready to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in The Bahamas.” Currently, there are 10 internship placements available, with additional spaces being added as more companies join the program. GBPA, through its Tech Edge 2.0 program, has partnered with four leading international technology firms, including Prophaze (California, USA), Cognetik Labs, Cybermindr, and Digital5 Solutions, to provide paid remote internship training and employment opportunities. All are start-up companies and emerging titans across cybersecurity, API security, and AI-driven threat detection fields. They also cover software development, IT infrastructure, and cloud computing.
Pleased with the evolution of the Tech Edge Program, which initially launched in 2023, President of GBPA, Ian Rolle, noted that he is highly optimistic about the program’s success to date and its proven potential to help drive Grand Bahama as the Tech and Innovation Hub of the nation. “These partnerships are unlocking global opportunities for Bahamians and proving that Grand Bahama is serious about technology. Further, it offers Bahamians direct access to the international job market—without having to leave home.” Rolle stated. “This program is about ensuring that our people are equipped with top-tier training to develop the requisite skills and career pathways to thrive in the digital economy,” Rolle continued.
The Tech Edge 2.0 Internship Program is open to eligible Bahamians worldwide who hold a college degree or are currently pursuing one in a technology-related field, have a strong interest in cybersecurity, AI, mobile app development, data science, or IT infrastructure, and are eager to gain real-world experience and work remotely with cutting-edge tech companies.
Ian Rolle
Applications for Tech Edge 2.0 are now open and will close on March 21, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at www.techedgebahamas.com, where they will find step-by-step guidance on the application process. GBPA’s project coordinator for Tech Edge 2.0, Jecholiah Braynen, described the initiative as a long-term investment in The Bahamas’ tech workforce and economic growth. “Through our partnership with Quess Corp, a multinational business service provider, based in India, GBPA is building the requisite skills within the Bahamian workforce and equipping them with job-ready skills and experience. This program creates opportunities to drive economic growth, establish new career opportunities, and attract tech companies to the Bahamas by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Bahamians can thrive in the tech industry,” she emphasized. “This is just the beginning. As Tech Edge grows, so will the number of available opportunities.”
Bahamians interested in expanding their career opportunities are encouraged to apply today and become part of The Bahamas’ digital transformation.
For more information, visit www.techedgebahamas.com for updates, success stories, and insights into the tech industry.
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