ACAWU head: Talks under duress

BWIA management and unions are continuing to meet on salary cuts but one union leader is saying the unions are being forced into the move.

Management announced a range of salary cuts last week and has said it will take effect from May 1. That means that employees’ April salaries will not be affected. Salary reviews are among the conditions for Government’s $116.8 million bailout of the airline. “Basically we’re operating under duress,” president of the Aviation Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU) Christopher Abraham said. Union representatives met with employees yesterday afternoon to discuss the cuts.

Both sides are now discussing proposals submitted by management. Abraham while the cuts seem to be definite,  under industrial relations practices, the union leaders are bound to take part in the talks. If not, they could be seen as refusing to “meet and treat” with the issue. Last week union leaders claimed the move to cut salaries was illegal. They said under the collective bargaining agreements, management must “meet and agree” with unions before a decision to cut wages is made. At that time they said they could not take any action through the Industrial Court before salaries are cut and complaints made by employees. BWIA communications director Clint Williams declined to comment, saying the issue was under negotiation.