The Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) said while its members are concerned with their working conditions and relationship with Caribbean Airlines (CAL), it is a “misconception” that these matters are related to any ongoing court actions.
TTALPA issued a statement yesterday in response to Guardian Media’s exclusive interview with a member of the council who, in the article published on Monday, anonymously revealed that pilots were resigning “in droves” due to an industrial relations offence filed against the union. The offence was filed on August 20 after thousands of CAL passengers were left stranded from August 20 through 21 because pilots called in sick shortly before their shifts.
The source claimed it was an attempt by the State to decertify the trade union and further suggested that 60 pilots were taking steps to seek international employment by renewing their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licences to permit them to fly in the US.
Another source within the organisation doubled down on the claim that pilots were disgruntled and resigning.
However, Guardian Media was told that no further information could be provided after the executive called a meeting on Monday night and decided that the chairman and secretary were the only ones permitted to speak with the media.
This was confirmed in the press release. Moreover, the union also acknowledged that pilots had resigned in the past, but said it was not because of issues with the State.
“We note that over the past few years a number of pilots have resigned from CAL for career enhancement opportunities and better working conditions,” TTALPA said.
The executive also denied that it was considering assisting pilots, through TTALPA’s employment assistant clause, to find jobs.
“The departure of pilots would be of concern to the association, since a depletion of experienced pilots can have an adverse effect on the safety culture of any airline,” TTALPA said.
The statement added that TTALPA’s chairman, Captain Craig Rahamut, the executive council as well as CAL’s CEO Garvin Medera continue to collaborate to enhance the relationship between the company and the pilots.
Meanwhile, CAL’s head of Corporate Communications Dionne Ligoure has denied claims that pilots have been quitting in response to its alleged strained relationship with TTALPA.
Replying to messages sent via WhatsApp on Sunday, she said the allegations were unfounded.
Contradicting the list of 35 names provided by the source at TTALPA, Ligoure said CAL does not have an unusual number of employees stepping away.
“Caribbean Airlines has 211 pilots, with 45 due to be on-boarded in the coming months. Pilot attrition at Caribbean Airlines is far below the industry average. In the last two months there have been two resignations at PoS. Zero in Jamaica. Since 2020 there have been 19 resignations at PoS. And five in Jamaica,” she said.