Unions and Air Traffic Controller Associations Respond to Primorac: Stop Campaigning Against Your Own Employees and Spreading Lies

(Patria) - The Union of Area Controllers, the Union of Air Traffic Controllers, and the Association of Controllers have responded to the public address of the Management of the Agency for the Provision of Air Navigation Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHANSA), in which doubts are expressed about the justification of the allegedly increased number of sick leaves among employees and concern is raised for the operational stability of the air traffic control system, we consider it our duty to react and inform the public about the actual circumstances.

"While respecting the concern of the Agency Director for the functioning of the system, we emphasize that we fully support the use of all legally prescribed mechanisms that the employer can apply in order to verify and potentially detect abuses of the right to sick leave. However, what we categorically reject is the tendentious, unfounded, and public labeling of air traffic controllers as responsible for alleged false sick leaves, and the deliberate and repeated exaggeration of data on operational delays in the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Particularly concerning is the director's statement claiming that air traffic controllers 'went on sick leave in an organized manner' and that BHANSA caused more than 70,000 minutes of delays during one weekend. According to official Eurocontrol data, the actual figure is approximately 15,000 minutes, which clearly indicates an inaccurate and manipulative presentation of facts, aimed at undermining the integrity of employees.

The public must know that around 150 BHANSA air traffic controllers daily, despite difficult working conditions and an increasing number of flights, make maximum efforts to maintain safety and efficiency in the airspace of BiH. It should be noted that the declared operational capacity of the airspace is unrealistic and that even with full staffing, without sick leave, annual leave, or official absences, delays are often unavoidable. Suggesting otherwise means ignoring the profession and the actual state of the system," these unions state.

They call on the BHANSA Management to refrain from making public accusations that are not supported by facts or legal basis.

"Instead of a public campaign against their own employees, we call on the Management to focus on fulfilling their legally prescribed obligations, including the adoption of necessary acts related to employee rights, many of which, despite clear legal provisions, have remained unrecognized since the establishment of the Agency.

We remind that the unions and the Association of Air Traffic Controllers have in recent months made significant efforts and exerted strong pressure on the competent institutions to secure funds for salary payments and the continuation of key projects within the Agency — projects that, it is important to emphasize, were never suspended, while workers simultaneously experienced a 20% salary reduction. During that period, the director and the Agency Management only issued brief statements in the media.

Employees have always used their legally guaranteed right to sick leave for health reasons, and now they face additional pressure and public discreditation.

Therefore, we rightfully ask the director and the Management of BHANSA:

Is this approach what you consider protecting your workers — especially those who form the core and foundation of the entire air traffic control system?

The undersigned unions and the Association of Air Traffic Controllers remain fully open to constructive dialogue and cooperation, but at the same time state that they will resolutely and by all available means respond to any further attempt to violate employee rights, their honor and dignity, as well as attempts to divert attention from key problems for which the Agency's management structure is solely responsible," they conclude in their address.

BHANSA Director Davorin Primorac expressed doubt about the justification of employee sick leaves and stated that he will verify their justification.