ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The regional airline, LIAT, today denied accusations by the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) that it was not telling the truth and was also holding up the implementation of a ruling made by a tribunal.
In a brief statement, the Antigua-based airline said that “it is moving towards the full implementation of the Arbitration Award” and that it has drafted the amendments of the collective agreement in keeping with the ruling of the tribunal.
LIAT said that it has held at least five meetings with the unions representing its pilots “to discuss the amendments and agree the signing of the revised Collective Agreement.
“These discussions have been aimed at enabling the smooth and prompt implementation of the award. Notwithstanding the company’s efforts, the union has failed either to prepare its own draft or to agree the amendments ordered by the tribunal. The union has simply refused to sign the amended Collective Agreement,” the airline said.
Earlier, LIALPA said that it aken a decision to retain the services of an attorney “to begin legal proceedings against LIAT to force the company to comply with all of the arbitration rulings in full.
“This decision was not taken lightly but had to be reluctantly done in view of what appears to be ‘Management’s calculated “snail-like” approach’ to resolving even minor issues,” the union said.
The union also claimed that recent statements made by the airline’s chief executive officer, Brian Challenger, on a radio programme were “false and misleading”.
“Mr Challenger knows very well that there are several unresolved matters left for his Management team to address and that these issues have been met with what could be termed ‘intentional roadblocks’ or ‘deliberate delay tactics.’ “ the union said.
In its statement, LIAT said as instructed by its shareholders and board of directors, it “remains committed to the earliest and full implementation of the award.
“LIAT categorically rejects all allegations of harassment and threats from the Company against members of the LIALPA executive. Such accusations are counterproductive and negative and could only serve to distract all concerned from the vital issues presently confronting civil aviation in the Eastern Caribbean,” the airline added. (CMC)
