Flight disruptions at BIA owing to trade union action

November, 5, 2014

The members of the Airport & Aviation Union affiliated to the ruling party at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have resorted to a strike action since this morning claiming that the relevant parties have failed to provide adequate solutions to several shortcomings within the authority.

President of the union M.W.B. Muhandiram told Adaderanabiz.lk that they had decided to resort to this trade union action as their demands have not been met even after several rounds of discussions with the authority.

“We have resorted to this strike citing five demands including a salary increment of Rs. 10,000 and the immediate removal of the airport's security chief. The trade union has also made a written request to the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to remove the official,” Muhandiram said.

It was reported that a few months back security chief Chinthaka Kumarasinghe had allegedly attacked an employee under him who is also said to be a heart patient.

Meanwhile, a source from the airport said that the trade union action has caused disruptions to departure flights whereas incoming flights were operating as usual.