Caribbean goverments, pilots reach deal to keep LIAT flying

The Prime Ministers of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have reached a deal with pilots of the regional airline LIAT to send their protracted industrial dispute to arbitration for settlement by September 30.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told reporters, “I think we are seeing the commencement of a fresh start, a partnership between LIAT’s management and all the stakeholders including the pilots association.”

Retired Barbadian jurist Leroy Inniss would chair the arbitration panel with management and the pilots each appointing a representative.

Gonsalves said the panel would devise its own program within the framework of the laws of Antigua and Barbuda, where the airline has its headquarters. A final report is expected “on or before September 30", he said.

While the panel is adjudicating on the matter, the two sides would revert to the situation that existed before the airline was granted an injunction by the Industrial Court in Antigua that prevented the pilots from taking any industrial action.

Gonsalves also disclosed that a forensic financial audit would be conducted of the company, adding “it would be very good as we are moving forward with this fresh start to put our markers down”.

LIAT Chairman Jean Holder noted that without the airline “there is really no single market and economy” in the region, noting that "a sense of patriotism emerged” emerged during the talks.

He said the airline has lost US$534,000 in July because of the the industrial battle that "does no one any good."

Captain Michael Blackburn, chairman of the pilots' association (LIAPA) agreed that the talks have been positive. He said he had pressed for arbitration so now that it is happening LIAT can move forward.

Blackburn agreed that it is a victory for the workers in the Caribbean and is optimistic that the arbitration will resolve the problems.

“It’s been a long time in coming, the pilots have felt we have been at the bottom of the barrel for a long time and we will clearly hope we can adjust the situation,” he said, adding that the pilots’ contract is a “social contract for the Caribbean people”.