Despite a breakdown in mediation talks with pilots, LIAT management is promising to maintain scheduled flights.
The assurance was given to allay concerns among regional travelers during the Christmas season – one of the busiest periods for the airline.
The company said in a statement that “efforts are continuing to respond to the various labour and other issues which have caused our customers to be concerned about further disruptions to our schedule.”
Mediation talks chaired by Labour Minister Dr Errol Cort broke down on Monday.
Pilots are demanding the immediate reinstatement of their colleague, Captain Michael Blackburn – the union chairman – while management insists he brought the company into disrepute by comments he made on a local radio station.
Blackburn’s December 5 dismissal resulted in three days of industrial action that was shelved in the wake of the minister’s intervention.
Chairman of the group of LIAT unions, Grenada’s Senator Chester Humphrey has warned that “the failure of LIAT’s management to reinstate Captain Michael Blackburn…will lead to further disruption to the airline’s service.”
LIAT said in a statement that it remains in “frank and respectful” dialogue with the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association on areas of concern.
“Discussions are also on-going with various unions aimed at addressing a number of the other concerns which have arisen between the company and its employees,” LIAT added.
(Source http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/antigua_news/524200.html#axzz1gkNrqB5I)
