LIAT: 11 day strike ends, war not over

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Employees of the regional airline, LIAT, Thursday voted to end a crippling 11 day strike even as their bargaining agent, the Technical Allied Workers Union (TAWU), warned that the “war is not over” with the Antigua-based airline.

The workers, who were owed six million EC dollars in outstanding arrears dating back to 1983, have agreed to accept EC$500,000 (US$185,180) with the outstanding matters to be dealt with during arbitration.

They have also agreed to a payment schedule for the half a million dollars with the first payment due later this month and the final tranche by the end of November.

TAWU president said though there has been an agreement to end the go slow by the workers at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA), the war between the union and LIAT is not over.

“There is a temporary cessation of hostilities, but the war has not come to an end and LIAT must understand that,” he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“What has happened is that the battle has now been shifted to a different arena, but the battle continues,” Humphrey said, apologising to the travelling public.

He said that the union had also decided to end the industrial action because it was causing undue hardship for travellers, including people who wanted to visit Grenada for the Carnival celebrations this weekend.

“We are particularly concerned about the kids stranded in Barbados, we need to get them home and I’m saying this as a father and with a degree of compassion,” he said in reference to the school children who were participating in the just concluded Windward Islands Schools competition in Dominica.

Labour Minister Glynis Roberts said that the Tillman Thomas administration had also agreed to contribute EC$90,000 (US$33, 330) as an ex-gratia payment to the workers.

But she said that the money would be used as the government’s contribution to LIAT.

“So we are not paying the workers directly but we giving it to LIAT as an investment in LIAT,” she said, adding that government recognizes the role being played by LIAT in servicing the island.

“We have recognised that LIAT is our biggest carrier… at the end of the day LIAT carries most of our passengers into Grenada. So we have to take a proactive approach to LIAT.”

Meanwhile, in a brief statement noting the end of the strike, LIAT has said that it would resume “full service to and from Grenada by Friday”.

Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown said where possible, the airline will seek to add capacity to meet the demand for seats to Grenada taking into account the Carnival celebrations.

“LIAT wishes to remind passengers who were affected by the recent disruptions who wish to rebook for a later date that they will be allowed to do so without charge for a period of one week from the date of their scheduled travel.

“Following the one-week grace period, passengers will be required to pay applicable fare and change fees when re-booking,” the airline said.