testJune 14 – LIALPA is therefore left with no other choice but to withdraw work enthusiasm until certain critical outstanding matters are addressed by the Shareholders, Board and Management.
What is now abundantly clear is not that LIAT is unable to settle these outstanding matters amicably but rather they are simply unwilling to do so. As a result, LIAT’s management has left the pilots with no other choice but to “withdraw enthusiasm and issue strong resentment.”
June 22 – we continue to state that our members will resent very strongly the unlawful decisions and gross unfair treatment by LIAT’s management and we will keep on demonstrating a lack of enthusiasm in working under conditions where arrogance, dishonesty and unilateral decisions are the order of the day.
Dd July 25, 2010. “having exhausted all avenues and procedures and pursuant to – the requisite 7 days notice of possible industrial action is hereby served.
Although LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) pilots returned to flying full time two weeks ago, the airline is under threat of Industrial action by the pilots beginning seven days from June 25, putting that at this weekend.
By letter dated June 28, 2010, LIAT acknowledged information from the LIALPA (Leeward Islands Airline Pilot Association) that seven (7) days from June 25, 2010, “having exhausted all avenues and procedures and pursuant to…the requisite 7 days notice of possible industrial action is hereby served.”
The Pilots earlier had since June 14, 2010 argued they were, “…therefore left with no other choice but to withdraw work enthusiasm until certain critical outstanding matters are addressed by the Shareholders, Board and Management.”
In a release they stated also: “What is now abundantly clear is not that LIAT is unable to settle these outstanding matters amicably but rather they are simply unwilling to do so. As a result, LIAT’s management has left the pilots with no other choice but to “withdraw enthusiasm and issue strong resentment.”
On June 22, following meetings with LIAT’s management, they threatened to continue what they referred to as ‘demonstrating a lack of enthusiasm in working’. They stated in a release, “we continue to state that our members will resent very strongly the unlawful decisions and gross unfair treatment by LIAT’s management and we will keep on demonstrating a lack of enthusiasm in working under conditions where arrogance, dishonesty and unilateral decisions are the order of the day.”
LIAT’s management on the other hand has been reacting by pointing out as recently as June 28, sections of Articles of Collective Agreement between the airline and the pilots. They made reference to information from the pilots, that while the pilots had said their Executive Council, “has not considered strike action or picketing at this time…” they threatened, “other forms of industrial action and that in all likelihood legitimate forms of industrial protest is likely to increase…”
LIAT in a letter to the LIALPA chairman on June 28, advised, “any action which constitutes a deliberate disruption of the company’s services will be considered a breach of the individual contracts of employment of the pilots and appropriate action will be taken.”
LIAT offered, “we are of the firm view that any dispute between us can be resolved by constructive dialogue and that the grievance procedure in the Collective Agreement, which includes references to the Industrial Court provide adequate and fair means of settling any such dispute,” adding, “Industrial action can only serve to tarnish the good repuration of the airline which the pilots themselves have assisted in fostering…”
On the same June 28, LIAT wrote to the Pilot’s Association advising “the Company has decided to withhold their (certain crew) pay for 16th and 17th June,” because of their refusal to work on the days mentioned.
