From more than 200 personnel last year, CPA had 170 as of yesterday for its airports and seaports on the three main islands.
CPA acting Executive Director Lee Cabrera, in his report to the board, said there have been “numerous” resignations and retirements since the implementation of the 72-hour pay period in June, the imposition of a $50,000 salary cap, and the reduction in travel expenses.
CPA’s human resources manager Kinai Santos yesterday said they will hire only replacement positions for key departments such as ports police and aircraft rescue and firefighting.
Santos said there are still other CPA personnel who want to retire.
CPA fire chief James Diaz said his division is open 24 hours but has only 24 personnel, five of whom are Reservists now deployed to the Middle East.
He said they are now operating on a “skeletal schedule.” The fire division has eight vehicles each manned by four firefighters.
During the Federal Aviation Administration inspection last week, Diaz said lack of personnel was the main concern raised by the FAA.
Diaz said he will interview applicants for five replacement positions at the ARFF.
Ports police chief Pius Helgen said his workforce has been reduced from 34 to 28 due to resignations and one military deployment.
He intends to hire 10 new employees.
Acting comptroller Frances Mafnas, who has rescinded her resignation, said she needs more personnel for the accounting department, which is left with six accountants following the resignations of two senior accountants recently.
CPA has yet to hire a permanent comptroller after the resignation of George Palican last year.
On Rota airport, manager Tomas Manglona said from 34 employees two years ago, they now have 22.
Tinian seaport and airport manager Ike Perez also reported the resignations of some of his personnel.
In light of the instrument landing system project on Tinian, Perez asked the CPA board to prioritize the hiring of maintenance workers.
Assistant Saipan port manager Miguel Sablan said his division is also understaffed with only 10 personnel for operations.
CPA employees have experienced a reduced work hour schedule three times since 1998.
In that year, the 72-hour schedule was implemented for 10 months.
In fiscal year 2007, CPA sustained a 10 percent cut imposed for one year.
For fiscal year 2008, the work hour reduction was implemented last June.
