INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS´ ASSOCIATIONS
1255 University Street, Suite 408, Montreal (Quebec) H3B 3B6 CANADA
Tel: +1 514 866 7040, Fax: +1 514 866 7612,  Email: office@ifatca.org



August 16, 2006
Mr. Thorgeir Pálsson
Director General, Civil Aviation
Flugmálastjórn Íslands
Reykjavíkurflugvöllur
101 Reykjavík
Iceland

Subject: Shift Dispute

Dear Sir,

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers´ Associations (IFATCA) is the independent, non-political and non-industrial professional association representing more than 50,000 air traffic controllers in 133 countries worldwide.  Among the aims of the Federation is the promotion of safety, efficiency and regularity in international air navigation, along with safeguarding the interests of air traffic controllers.  In order to accomplish our aims and objects, we closely co-operate with various other aviation authorities and institutions including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Airline Pilots´ Association (IFALPA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), and Eurocontrol.


I write to you today to express concern over the changes in the shift system at the Oceanic/Area Control Centre at Reykjavik. It is our understanding that there has been an agreement in place since 1997 between the Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (ICEATCA) and the Iceland Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) and that rosters had been prepared in accordance with this agreement. It is disappointing to learn that now, despite a rejection of proposed changes to the shift system by ICEATCA during negotiations in the summer of 2005, the ICAA has in fact changed the shift system effective 16 March 2006. One unfortunate result is a non-negotiated, arbitrary loss of approximately 30 off-days per year per controller.

 

The ATS environment is a demanding one where shift work is necessary and productivity essential.  Management has an obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment for its employees, and employees have a responsibility to maintain a healthy life-style and offer input into the conditions under which we carry out our daily duties. We will be better able to achieve our aims with a collaborative effort by employers/employees.

 

”Staffing” is merely a process that determines number(s) of persons deemed necessary to carry out designated tasks and goals. But there is a darker side to staffing and shift work that can directly affect safety of air traffic and the health and well being of controllers. It is for this reason IFATCA encourages its Member Associations to be alert to scheduling programs such as Shift Logic that may produce longer shifts and disruptive variations of shift start and stop times, and to be prepared to offer a more palatable option(s). Shift Logic-type programs have potential to be un-sympathetic to social considerations when choosing work cycles and could negatively impact one’s daily life, both socially and professionally. This issue is extremely important to air traffic controllers because it has a direct bearing on our general well being, and therefore our on-the-job performance. It is particularly distressing to the controller community to learn that the Icelandic CAA will resort to forcing controllers on temporary sick leave to report for duty and utilizing them in operating positions. This practice flies in the face of all efforts of the international aviation community and your own CAA to embrace a true commitment to aviation safety. We are hard-pressed to find justification for such action. We urge the ICAA management to consider the participation of ICEATCA in the staffing process that includes such vitals as schedules and the real effects they have on the well-being of controllers, and to consider the importance of a healthy, happy work force when developing shift schedules. An erratic daily routine will eventually take a toll on the body and as license holders requiring regular medical validation these health issues cannot be ignored. The ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) focuses attention on current and future safety issues, and requires States to implement safety management programs, ensuring their ATS systems, including personnel, receive an appropriate level of consideration.

 

IFATCA supports ICEATCA in their objection to measures that could potentially hinder the ability to provide a safe, orderly and efficient air traffic control service in your country. We ask authorities in Iceland to consider the possible consequences should the skills of your air traffic control personnel be permitted to erode as a result of poorly designed scheduling. A highly skilled, well-trained controller workforce is essential to the air transport industry.

 

Assuring you Sir, highest regards,

 

Sincerely,


Douglas R. Churchill

Executive Vice-President Professional

IFATCA

 

Cc: – Icelandic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association

       – IFATCA Office

       – original by post