LIAT, pilots matter reaches arbitration

In two months time or less, the management and staff of regional airline LIAT, as well as the rest of the travelling world, will know the outcome of arbitration talks between the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) and LIAT management.{{more}}

Monday’s long awaited meeting between the two bodies and nine other unions representing other categories of LIAT workers was considered an historic event, as all sides appeared content with the final decisions, and the peace and calm that it may have brought to the turbulent airline.

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister outlined the details of the deal that should see a result on or before September 30th this year.

He indicated that the arbitration panel will be chaired by former High Court Judge Leroy Innis QC, with Captain Desmond Ross representing the pilots. The name of the person representing LIAT’s management was not available at press time.

According to Gonsalves, the arbitration talks will take place within the frameworks of the laws of Antigua and Barbuda, with the panel devising its own mode of working.

“In the meantime, we will revert to the status quo ante; that is to say circumstances will go back to before there was the injunction in the industrial court against the pilots by the management”.

“There is a declaration of peace, so you are not going to hear any shouting across the seas by the management and by (LIALPA Chairman Michael) Blackburn.”

“We all gave the commitment that we will cease any guerilla tactics that we will go to the press and so forth. There will be perfect peace.”

Blackburn in his remarks considered the decision a victory for the pilots, saying that he was optimistic about the September end result.

“It’s been a long time coming. The pilots feel like we have been at the bottom of the barrel for a very long time.”

“I have in the past advocated for arbitration and its now a reality… I am hoping that we could move into the arbitration process with expedition and resolution, so that LIAT could move forward.”

The association boss said that though it was unfortunate that many passengers were inconvenienced by the events that took place over the past few months, he considered the result a victory for workers in the Caribbean.

“You cannot injunct a labour. You cannot force people in this day and age to be happy. If you take away the basic right then I would not be happy; and an unhappy worker is not a productive worker.”

It was reported by Prime Minister Gonsalves that the impasse between the pilots and management cost LIAT more than US$500,000.

Last Monday’s meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Monday’s meeting was also attended by the prime ministers of the two other LIAT shareholder governments: David Thompson of Barbados and Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda. (JJ)