Liat, pilot body hold talks

ST JOHN’S – Representatives of LIAT’s management and the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) met at LIAT’s headquarters in Antigua to discuss issues relating to the recent industrial action by LIALPA.LIALPA’s team was headed by Captain Patterson Thompson, secretary of LIALPA, while LIAT’s team was led by Brian Challenger, Acting CEO.It was agreed the meeting would serve as a forum for update and exchange of positions on the four items which had been identified by LIALPA in recent press releases. Agreement was reached on the issue relating to statutory deductions for two LIAT pilots, with mechanisms agreed for facilitating a prompt and transparent settlement, while various understandings for resolving differences on the LIAT Pension Fund were also achieved. On the matter of retroactive payments for holiday pay, both sides reiterated their earlier positions on this issue.Industrial relations LIAT indicated its intention that this matter be pursued through the country’s industrial relations resolution mechanism in order to arrive at an independent judicial decision. The LIALPA delegation indicated its interest in a speedy resolution.Regarding LIALPA’s stated concern with the LIAT-LIALPA arbitration process, the meeting noted the date for release of the report as indicated by the chairman of the arbitration panel. LIAT’s management reiterated its continuing commitment to the arbitration process earlier agreed on by both parties. (PR)