TCIAA update on matter as it relates to Disruption in Flight Services at Providenciales

#TurksandCaicos, June 18, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) wishes to advise its stakeholders and the public on the matters which unfolded at the Providenciales International Airport today. It is important that all who are concerned note that not all flight cancellations occurring today were the result of the events which unfolded in the early morning at the Airport.

Concerning the industrial action taken by firefighters today across the TCIAA and in the wake of various news and social media circulars purporting to properly understand the situation 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% increase to be applied to all staff within the department. The announcement advised that this 15% 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.

To prepare for the introduction of this salary pay grade scale the TCIAA proposed in its budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year and additional sum to be reserved to meet the demands of these salary increases once they occurred. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government approved this provision during its 2022 budgeting session.

The TCIAA continues to review staff salaries for the purpose of implementing a grading scale which meets the ethics of both staff remuneration and the fiscal management of public funds. The TCIAA will continue to work with its Team Members, including the Fire Service to wholly and adequately address salary and other concerns affecting the work environment. It is important that stakeholder and the public are aware of the open and transparent manner in which the TCIAA endeavours to address these legacy staff issues.

Notably, the TCIAA has recently broken ground for the construction of a new Fire Hall and Air Traffic Control Tower, another effort being taken to improve work conditions at the TCIAA.  It is further hoped that the anticipated redevelopment of the Providenciales International Airport would address several other workplace issues which both the Board and Management of the TCIAA share concerns about with its staff.

The TCIAA thanks the Hon. Deputy Governor, the Hon. Premier, and the Hon. Minister for Border Services for being part of the discussion with the Fire Service this morning. Together, with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, the TCIAA remains committed not only to the safety of aircraft, passengers, staff and other users of the airport, but is genuinely committed to developing the TCIAA into a desirable and model work environment. Addressing all of the legacy issues will not be an overnight fix, but the TCIAA remains committed to doing it because in all honesty, our staff deserve it.

For more information visit us at www.tciairports.com