Tweet

(St John’s, Antigua) The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) would like to inform the
General Public that its relationship with LIAT (1974) Ltd is currently strained and has deteriorated to
an all-time low.
Since late 2012, the Association has engaged LIAT in negotiations for a new salary structure for its
ATR-72 aircraft (not covered under the current MOA) and general salary increases. After years of
stalling and legal maneuvering by LIAT, including the Company filing legal action in both the High
and Industrial Courts, the Association in the spirit of fostering and maintaining a good relationship
with LIAT accepted the Company’s salary package offer in January 2017. We accepted this deal on
the premise that the pilots would make this a one-off concession to ensure the survival of the
Company.
To date LIAT has not honoured this agreement with LIALPA and has even gone so far as to reject our
Attorney’s suggestion, that a Consent Order be obtained in the Industrial Court to formalize the salary
agreement (which covers the years 2012-2017) thus paving the way for its implementation.
In light of the aforementioned it is our view that LIAT continues to act in bad faith. This is also
evident by the Company’s insistence to unilaterally impose, yet another salary deferral program on
the pilots even though the Association has publicly objected and rejected this program. We also made
our position very pellucid to the Board of Directors and Shareholders at a widely-publicized meeting
held in Barbados on April 4th 2017. Management also continues to ignore the fact that the
Association has placed this matter before the Industrial Court for determination.
As a result of LIAT’s actions and the volatility of this situation, LIALPA would like to once again make
a final appeal to LIAT to honour its agreement with the pilots by June 1st, 2017, in order to avoid any
further escalation of this matter. Failure to do so would leave the Association with no other choice
but to act, so as to protect the interest and rights of its membership. We trust that LIAT would change
its present course and respect the basic principles of industrial relations and collective bargaining.
– ENDS –