The Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) is clearing the air on what it terms a peaceful protest by pilots at the Piarco International Airport.
On Thursday, several pilots from Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), who are also members of TTALPA, staged a peaceful protest in response to the airline’s lack of engagement regarding their salary proposal of 4% submitted on July 11th. TTALPA says the pilots who participated in the peaceful picket were off duty.
TTALPA notes it is currently operating under the terms and conditions of a Collective Labour Agreement for the period 2010-2015 that expired in 2015. TTALPA says CAL has failed again to address pilots’ concerns about the expired agreement and overall increases for the bargaining period 2015-2020.
The union says it is indisputable that Caribbean Airlines pilots have made significant sacrifices including staggering reduction in salary as much as 57% to help sustain the airline, which was followed by the unjustified termination of pilots, contrary to industry practice.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Airlines said all flights and operations proceeded as scheduled on Thursday, despite the protest by a group of pilots. CAL said passengers can be confident that their travel plans will not be disrupted. The airline says it has been engaging in cordial and productive discussion with TTALPA. It notes that agreements have already been reached on several key matters and the pilots have received their annual increment of up to 3%. CAL says the action on Thursday was both unexpected and disappointing.