BWIA, unions talking again

Contacted yesterday, ACAWU president Curtis John told Newsday the talks were exploratory in nature and no decisions were made yesterday. Asked what was discussed at yesterday’s meeting, John said the status of the current collective agreement and the draft business plan for BWIA.

In April, Public Administration and Information Minister Dr Lenny Saith said he had seen the draft plan and believed it could work once all of BWIA’s stakeholders agree on the way forward for the airline. Saith said Government would not move ahead with any initiative for BWIA until such an agreement is reached.

The union has said BWIA’s management has refused to provide them with a copy of the draft and asked for Government to intervene. Saith has said there was no need for Government to get involved in BWIA’s affairs at this time.

In his September 28, 2005 Budget presentation to Parliament, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said Government was prepared to inject US$250 million in equity into BWIA and the airline would eventually be transformed into a regional carrier, in which regional governments and private sectors would be able to purchase equity.

John said operations at BWIA were normal yesterday with all flights leaving on time and all workers reporting for duty. Following a breakdown in talks last month between the airline and the union, five flights were cancelled due to what BWIA described as “an abnormal rise” in sick leave by some of its flight attendants and other ground staff. In order to bring its flight schedule back on track, BWIA said it had wetleased two planes- one from North American Airlines and another from Miami Air.

Asked when the union and the company would meet again, John said he did not expect it would be before the end of the month since both sides exchanged proposals and needed to study them in detail. John said he expected to get a call from BWIA about when the next meeting would be held.