Union wants clear position from Govt

BWIA officials would not comment on Government’s latest move to help the airline, but union leader Christopher Abraham is still not happy.

“It is unfortunate that people are not taking us on,” Abraham, president of the Aviation, Communication and Allied Workers Union, said, “but workers and unions stand behind Government and are willing to work with them to ensure that BWIA will survive.” Planning Minister Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday Government will be talking to aircraft lessors International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) to pay the outstanding money and head off possible seizure of more aircraft.

Abraham, though, said Government needs to make a clear statement on BWIA’s management. While the unions have called for chief executive officer Conrad Aleong to step down, Rowley said yesterday that Government is waiting on the management review, due in July, before it takes any action. “Government must make a clear decision on what to intends to do,” Abraham said. “Obviously someone must be responsible for this crisis.” Abraham also said unions have not received any word on severance payments for workers retrenched in January. Part of the $116 million bail out Government promised in April is earmarked to cover about $50 million in severance payments.