BWIA flights cancelled as workers protest

Saturday’s action is being regarded in some quarters as the start of protest action by BWIA workers which is connected to last week’s warning from the Allied Communication and Aviation Workers Union (ACAWU) of a total shutdown of BWIA’s operations. The union’s planned shutdown goes into effect if the airline’s management refuses to negotiate in good faith with the workers and reveal the details of a business plan being touted as the remedy for BWIA’s ills. Sources told Newsday yesterday that BWIA flights to Jamaica, New York, London and Miami were cancelled on Saturday because flight attendants had called in sick.

One source claimed there were more than 70 sick calls from flight attendants, reservation staffers, engineers and mechanics.

In a statement on Saturday, BWIA said it was experiencing “flight service disruptions” and was doing all in its power to ensure that any inconvenience to passengers is minimised. In that statement, BWIA advised passengers that some flights could be subject to delays or cancellation over the next three days and to contact its customer service lines for more information.

In a follow-up statement yesterday, BWIA said the situation had improved significantly with all of its morning and afternoon flights leaving and arriving “on schedule.” The airline said it had put contingencies in place to ensure that future passenger inconvenience is minimised and it will do all in its power to “keep the schedule intact.”

When Newsday visited Piarco Airport yesterday, the lines of people at BWIA’s counters were normal, and all airport monitors showed the airline’s flights were on time. ACAWU president Curtis John yesterday said he had been informed of the flight cancellations on Saturday and had received word that Servisair employees were manning BWIA counters at Piarco.

John said he was uncertain what would transpire next but he was still holding the door open for BWIA’s management to return to the negotiating table.

Public Administration and Information Minister Dr Lenny Saith yesterday said Government will not intervene at BWIA. He said BWIA’s board of directors had a mandate and it was currently carrying out that mandate.