Strike threat dropped after last-minute talks with LIAT pilots

The Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association has abandoned its threat to take industrial action today.

The news follows a crucial meeting late yesterday, where reports indicate an informal agreement was reached with the employer, LIAT.

In a short statement, LIAT said: “The recent report of impending action by the pilots have been withdrawn following a meeting between management and the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association.

Deferred – and in some cases late – payment of pilot salaries was at the centre of the dispute, as well as the failure by LIAT management to implement a new renumeration structure.

According to Barbados Today, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines – who is also chairman of the shareholder governments – spoke to media after the eleventh hour talks.

“I think that instructions have gone to the bank for the payments, so depends on which bank you are in, some persons would get paid tomorrow or the next day,” he said.

WIC News has reached out to the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association for comment.