Protests and hunger strikes in 39 cities indicate strength of feeling among ATC staff (245 words)

Published: 10/10/2001

On 9th October, Russian air dispatchers demonstrated in Moscow, demanding wage rises and continued an ongoing protest against legal restrictions that do not allow them to strike. The demonstration, near the Ministry of Transportation in Moscow was just one of many protests in 39 Russian cities, according to Sergei Kovalev, President of the Air Dispatchers' Union. He added that, as the union was prohibited from calling a strike for higher wages, members were going on hunger strike while remaining at work, a tactic that has been previously employed by air traffic staff in Kaliningrad. The dispatchers are principally arguing that their salaries are significantly lower than colleagues abroad, despite the same quality of work being required. According to Kovalev, air dispatchers in the US and Europe receive salaries of up to $6,000 - $10,000 a month, while Russian staff are paid between $100-$150 a month in Central Russia, rising to only $300 a month with hardship payments in Russia's North. The main employer at the centre of this dispute is state entity, Air Traffic Control State Corporation which Kovalev claims was profitable in 1998-2000. In his view, this does not make the dispatchers' demand of a 100% salary increase unreasonable. The Ministry of Transportation so far has not acknowledged the complaints of the air dispatchers, but the union hopes that hungry operatives will spur it into action.

Article ID: 2813