LIALPA rejects LIAT’s pay proposal, industrial action continues

A proposal by the management of regional airline LIAT, which should have seen pilots receiving salary increases and retroactive pay adjustments, has been rejected by the pilots’ association.

According to a release issued by LIAT, the management of LIAT held discussions with representatives of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA), on Wednesday at its Antigua and Barbuda headquarters, to find a resolution for an industrial impasse, which this week resulted in cancellation of some flights and delays in other services.

“During the meeting, a proposal was tabled by the Management which would see the pilots receiving salary increases with respect to the ATR 72 coming into effect from July 19 2017. The payment of the retroactive ATR pay adjustment for July 2013 to 2017 would be paid in three installments by October 2017. The settlement of other retroactive pay would be paid in six installments commencing the pilots pay period in December 2017. This more than reasonable offer submitted by the company took into consideration the company’s obligations to other employee groups as well as suppliers.

“Regrettably this proposal to LIALPA has been rejected,” the release from LIAT said.

“LIAT recognises air transportation to be essential to the economies of the Caribbean and the activities of its people. The Management, in an effort to ensure continuance of this service to the region, is again calling for LIAT to be designated as an Essential Service in Antigua and Barbuda.

“LIAT continues and strives to maintain the critical connections throughout the Caribbean and sincerely apologises to its valued customers for these disruptions caused by ongoing industrial action. We will continue to keep you informed of developments over the next few days,” the release said.

At least six LIAT flights were cancelled Wednesday and four others yesterday, Thursday, because of industrial action being taken by members of LIALPA. The pilots are refusing to fly the company’s ATR 72 aircraft until agreement is reached in ongoing negotiations for higher wages, which includes the operation of the ATR aircraft.

Several attempts by SEARCHLIGHT to reach a LIALPA spokesperson for comment have proven futile.