The Minister for Communication and Works, Hon. Kye Rymer, has vowed that his ministry is doing all in its power to resolve the existing issues that have led to the recent closures of the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport.
Minister Rymer made the promise during a press conference on Thursday, July 27, that was attended by the Chairman of the Board of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) Theodore Burke and Managing Director Kurt Menal.
He acknowledged the importance of having smooth operations at the airport and the concerns that have been raised among employees critical to the functioning of the facility.
“I would like to assure the public that the Ministry is actively monitoring the progress being made by the BVIAA’s Board and the Management team in resolving the issues that led to the closures. I have full faith and trust in their approach to address the concerns raised and work towards ensuring seamless operations at the airports within the territory,” he said.
Increase airlift causing new strain on staff
Minister Rymer also highlighted some of the factors that have been linked to the concerns raised by employees at the airport.
He said it stems from the increase in airlift, which has resulted in significantly more traffic commuting through the airport on Beef Islands.
This he said has put a strain on various departments, including the Firefighting Brigade, Security, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC’s).
“Initially, we had to hire additional Firemen and Security Officers to be Category 6 compliant for the new American Airlines daily non-stop flight requirements. This new transition required the workers to work additional hours beyond their normal schedule and time, and necessary compensation to be given to them. These departments and workers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of airport operations, and the situation requires immediate attention and support so that they can cope with this growth effectively,” Rymer explained.
Plans to work collaboratively with staff
The minister said his ministry is actively facilitating a collaborative dialogue between all parties involved, including airport management and representatives of the staff, to move forward constructively.
“The goal is to mutually agree on steps that will enhance the airport’s capacity to handle increasing demands while addressing the concerns of the workforce. While doing all of this, the appreciation and compensation of workers cannot be undervalued or faltered upon. The Ministry is committed to fostering a healthy work environment that encourages open communication and ensures that employees are adequately rewarded for carrying out their duties,” he added.
Think about the consequences
Rymer also urged employees to be mindful of the current situation that the BVI tourism product is facing, with increased competition both regionally and internationally impacting the territory’s overall visitor arrivals.
He said additional closures to the airport could result in further damage to the BVI tourism product and warned employees not to turn to actions that can lead to such a result as their first resort.
“So, while persons may have a just cause with respect to a particular issue, we should try to communicate more and to work together – and to work with each other – and let drastic action be truly the last resort. These are very critical times for our tourism industry and our economy, and I am simply asking that persons think about this when it comes to how they choose to deal with grievances and disagreements,” Rhymer stated.