The Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT, has brushed aside concerns being raised by the Barbados-based National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) saying that the union is not a recognised bargaining agent for any of LIAT’s employees.
LIAT said it had taken notes of recent media reports quoting the NUPW with regards to its employees and felt it necessary to clarify.
This is an apparent reference to statements made by acting General Secretary of the NUPW, Delcia Burke in an interview with Starcom Network News in which she said she met with some of the LIAT pilots who were being represented by the union.
She complained that LIAT’s Barbados staff had been laid off without pay for three months and had been notified that it would be extended. She urged the intervention of the Barbados government.
But the airline insists that the pilots are represented by the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) which is registered in Antigua and Barbuda, not NUPW.
LIAT said it has been in discussion with LIALPA on all issues regarding the pilot body.
LIAT added that with borders closed across the regional network, the airline suspended its scheduled passenger services through to 30th June 2020 and consequently, most of its staff, including pilots were laid off in accordance with labour laws.
The airline states that all staff including pilots were paid their full salaries for the month of March but that the current pandemic has heavily impacted the company’s operations and staffing as has been the case with airlines worldwide
