(Antigua Sun) The prime ministers of LIAT’s three main shareholder governments, David Thompson of Barbados, Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent & the Grenadines have agreed to meet with the unions representing the airline’s employees as the company seems heading steadily to crisis.
The prime ministers met in St. Vincent on Monday with members of LIAT’s Board of Directors and management to discuss ways in solving several issues facing the airline.
According to a press release, following a three-hour long meeting, several decisions were taken including an agreement that the prime ministers would meet on a quarterly basis.
“From a governance standpoint it was agreed that (this would be) the 12 Oct. in St. Vincent,” host Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves said. “There are some very important issues as we go forward with LIAT and the shareholders have decided, at the invitation of the Board, to stay on top of things.”
The prime ministers also gave instructions for the leadership of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) and other unions to attend a meeting in St. Vincent on Monday.
“As everyone in the region is aware, the pilots’ association has been taking industrial action in one form or another over the last several weeks,” Dr. Gonsalves added.
“There is an injunction in the Industrial Court in Antigua and Barbuda but that does not mean that we still do not have instances of industrial action taking place…which has been responsible for some disruptions we’ve been having.”
Dr. Gonsalves further stated that there is a legal process, which is ongoing, and the shareholders do not want to interfere in that legal process.
He noted, however, that they would not stand by and watch an industrial relations situation get completely out of hand and jeopardise what is in fact a crucial service.
“We can’t have a Caribbean Community without communications and air transportation is one of the most vital forms of communication,” Dr. Gonsalves stated.
