Work slowdowns and a spate of air traffic controllers calling in sick paralyzed airline traffic through Norwegian airports last year. The Civil Aviation Administration (formerly Luftfartsverket, now Avinor) underwent a management change, a truce was called and negotiations ultimately began over a new labour contract.
The union representing the air traffic controllers (Norsk Flygelederforening) broke off talks with Avinor, however, just before the weekend. The reason: A chronic shortage of air traffic controllers.
"Avinor has acknowledged that there's a staffing crisis," said union leader Rolf Skrede. "The negotiations involve getting some offers on the table to ease the chaos."
Newly educated air traffic controllers won't be cleared for duty until 2008. There's now a reported shortage of 100 air traffic controllers in Norway, and 30 of those currently on the job are due to retire soon.
The union is arguing for higher pay and benefits that might lure back around 40 air traffic controllers who have left Norway to work for higher pay in other countries. While annual pay for air traffic controllers in Norway ranges from NOK 350,000 to 600,000 (USD 57,000-98,000), air traffic controllers can earn as much as NOK 950,000 in England or more in the United Arab Emirates.
Avinor officials said they believe their dialogue with the air traffic controllers will pick up again. A strike can be called from May 22.
