LIAT flights operating out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, were among those grounded yesterday, as the Antigua-based regional airline’s pilots called in sick.
A source late yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that flights might resume today,  but efforts to contact Corporate Communications Manager, Desmond Brown, to whom this newspaper was referred for any information, were unsuccessful.
The industrial action severely disrupted the airline’s entire network. LIAT operates about 100 flights daily within the Caribbean, of which two are from Guyana.
The airline, in a statement advising about the disruption of service, said it was as a result of pilots throughout the network who called in sick during the morning.
It further advised passengers to contact the LIAT office before proceeding to the airport.
LIAT’s management and its pilots have for sometime been in an on and off tussle over retroactive holiday and vacation pay, but last year the two parties agreed to have their dispute settled by binding arbitration.
In a release posted Monday on LIAT’s website, management noted its disappointment with recent pronouncements by the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) that pilots have been left with no other choice but to “withdraw enthusiasm and issue strong resentment”.
LIAT observed that this announcement focuses on an alleged denial of the right to representation and a claim for retroactive pay.
It noted that all disputed issues were discussed at a meeting in July 2009, where an agreement was reached between the parties on a course of action for resolving them.  LIAT said it has since participated in the agreed Arbitration process and complied with all directions given by the Arbitrators. However, the Arbitration is expected to rule on various matters within the LIAT-LIALPA Collective Bargaining Agreement and a ruling from the three-member Arbitration panel is expected shortly.
It was noted that LIAT and LIALPA also have a number of matters before the Industrial Court in Antigua and Barbuda and that both parties are expected to function in good faith while these judicial processes are underway, the release added.
LIAT’s management notes that LIALPA’s pronouncement is particularly troubling coming before the months of July and August – usually two of the busiest for LIAT, with high volumes of vacationers and other people making trips during the summer, including carnival celebrations in St. Vincent, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua.
He also questioned the wisdom of initiating unwarranted industrial action at a time when the regional and international economies are under such strain.
LIATs Acting CEO, Brian Challenger, meanwhile, said the airline is committed to the resolution of all issues involving any pilot under the procedures set out in the Collective Agreement among their Union, LIALPA, and the Company, and rejects a statement that it has denied “the Association of its fundamental right to represent one of its members”.

He emphasised that LIAT’s management remained committed to a fair and equitable working relationship with its pilots and all other employee groups and called on LIALPA’s leadership to show maturity, responsibility and commitment to the company at this time.