Up to a dozen LIAT workers on the island and many more in the region will have to wait longer than expected to know their fate with the company.
The Caribbean airline had intended to close its office in St John’s along with other city offices across the region on August 31, putting several employees out of jobs.
However, LIAT’s management decided to put the decision on hold following wholesale disapproval of the move by the unions representing the airline’s staff.
Chairman of the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) Captain Michael Blackburn was among the union leaders that met yesterday with LIAT’s management. He said the company would now conduct further analysis before making a decision on the matter – something the unions had demanded.
“We called for a lot of analysis before that draconian measure was taken to throw people out of work,” Blackburn said. “All the unions got together and said we are not in favour of anybody losing their job at this time. It doesn’t appear to be justified.”
The LIALPA chairman warned that the measure would throw the airline into financial woes.
“The city offices are not losing money; they are making a tremendous amount of money,” Blackburn said. “There’s cash flow problems that would turn up if that happens.
“We feel that the disadvantages associated with closing the offices substantially outweigh keeping them open and the company has said they will look at it, so let’s see what happens.”
The change is proposed to modernise the airline and improve efficiency but Blackburn said the region is not ready.
“We believe that the person-to-person-based method cannot be dispensed with at this time. We have too many Caribbean people who are not able to utilise the computer and credit card,” Blackburn said. “We are not ready for that change yet. People in the Caribbean know each other and they need to speak to people.”
Among the other issues of focus at the meeting was public holiday and premium pay for flight attendants and pilots. Blackburn said the workers are unified on the matters and the pilots are throwing their full support behind the flight attendants.
“We have joined with them and we are insisting that along with the pilots’ issues they settle the flight attendants and other matters,” Blackburn said.
The unions called for a settlement to the matter to take LIAT out of the constant shadow of the threat of industrial action.
LIAT’s management assured the unions they would make the matter a priority.
The unions are expected to meet again by late August and Blackburn said he is optimistic that a settlement would be reached.
if u r closing offices in antigua what happens to ticket holders or persons that have already paid for tickets and those that booked flights. will we get a refund of our money or will be transferred to other airlines
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if those are the people supposed to answer the phone when liat’s plane are late … no regrets …good luck trying to find another jod not doing much…
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The airlines is not going out of business, it will have offices at the airport to take care of your tickets. Major Airlines do not have ticket office anymore, you book your flight online and check in online. if there is a problem call the airlines tool free number and someone will answer your call. When you get to the airport you only have to check your bag which they will have your tag ready for you. Please read and comprehend what you read before leaving comments.
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Blackburn, your obstructionist stance will eventually push LIAT into liquidation. So rather than loosing 18 jobs, you prefer the airline going out of business.
The ticket office can easily be replaced by Kiosks which can be strategically placed all over the island for those customers without internet access. The savings for the Airline will be significant.
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Vicnes: One of these fine days you will really need to talk to an airline rep, and – if this nonsense continues – there will be none there. Then, I assume, you will rant and rave in public about LIAT’s lack of consideration for passengers.
As Blackburn and the others say, West Indians (not being an electronic society like the USA) prefer a personal service rather than relying solely on internet, whether through a computer or cellphone. So closing city offices and firing so many people – just to have to hire them all back again – smacks of LIAT management’s historical lack of interest, lack of research, and lack of necessary management skills.
Blackburn – and many other union reps – have been dealing with these unqualified LIAT management people (including the yard fowl Board) for a long time, and have a clue where their weaknesses (and their own loyalties) are. So look at their remarks as dealing with an unfortunate reality rather than being obstructionist. It’s one of the few ways to get LIAT managers to actually listen and react.
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