Pilots of Antigua-based LIAT are preparing to fight a court injunction imposed by the Industrial Court in Antigua and Barbuda on May 22 restraining them from protesting management's failure to finalize new contract negotiations.
The move came after LIAT pilots in Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and St. Vincent staged a sickout on May 21. The action resulted in cancellations and delays in flights to Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua, Grenada, St Vincent, San Juan and Curacao.
LIAT filed for and was granted the injunction restraining its pilots from taking any industrial action or continuing any further action "whether by means of strike, go slow, sickout or any other related action against LIAT" until their current negotiations with the company are completed or until the court issues a further order.
The pilots, represented by the Leeward Islands Air Line Pilots Association, have been pressing for a new contract as well as settlement of issues of overtime and holiday pay. A statement issued by LIALPA Chairman Michael Blackburn said that LIAT management had agreed to settle the issue by March 31; however, the deadline had come and gone without any action from LIAT.
Desmond Brown, LIAT's corporate communications manager, called the sickout "a surprise."
"LIAT has been in negotiations with the 10 unions representing the workers at the company -- including LIALPA, which represents the pilots -- and as far as I know those negotiations have been progressing steadily. In fact, talks were held up to last week," said Brown.