Pilots accuse management of lining up for huge bonus

(Antigua Sun) – The salary battle between the management of LIAT and the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) has gone sour again.

This time LIALPA has taken the decision to refer the impasse with LIAT’s management to an arbitration tribunal rather than implement industrial action across the region.

In a communiqué to the media, LIALPA said their “patience is running out.”

They have also threatened to down tools if management gives itself any “AIG” type bonuses.

“It is our understanding that the board of directors of LIAT has considered or is considering, “AIG” type management bonuses. We have made it abundantly clear to the chairman of LIAT’s Board that any such bonus payment, prior to settling a new LIAT/LIALPA collective agreement, will cause immediate industrial action,” LIALPA said in its statement.

LIALPA is calling on LIAT to pay a “just and fair wage which should not be less than the average salary of pilots flying similar aircraft throughout the Caricom region.”

The pilots said any other offer by the company would be flatly rejected.

At a LIAT/LIALPA meeting in Antigua on 23 Dec, 2008 the management of LIAT reportedly gave an undertaking to commence discussions with a view to ending talks on or before 31 March this year, failing which it will submit to accelerated binding arbitration.

To date, the management of LIAT has reportedly not taken any serious actions.

According to LIALPA, on 11 March, LIAT proposed zero salary increase and a 50 per cent cut on one of the pilot’s allowances from 2008 to 2011 inclusive.