guardian.co.tt
The Aviation, Communication and Allied Workers’ Union (ACAWU) has thrown its support behind the T&T Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) in what it said is its fight against, “the tyrannical management style” of CAL’s current regime.
In a statement, ACAWU president general, Nwannia Sorzano, said, “This company belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and it is important for the citizens to know that their company is being mismanaged and employees are being mistreated.”
In a subsequent interview with Guardian Media, Sorzano claimed that CAL has not been transparent with workers about the hiring process. She added that highly skilled workers are being paid below industry standards.
“Caribbean Airlines has deprived their workers of proper representation, since they refuse to acknowledge ACAWU as the RMU (representing major union), although the Industrial Court has determined that they are the successor to BWIA. That determination has been appealed and is awaiting the Court of Appeal decision,” according to Sorzano.
She noted that ACAWU’s membership has grown to approximately 200 members, representing from cabin crew to ground staff.
“Almost every single day we are getting members joining and it definitely shows what is happening in the company,” she said.
Sorzano then expressed shock at CAL’s CEO Garvin Medera’s assurance during a media conference last week that the airline’s financial performance has been picking up since the pandemic. She questioned this.
“If the company is doing well, then why are the workers not reaping those benefits?”
Meanwhile, commenting on the flight fiasco of August 20, when several international and domestic flights were cancelled after 93 pilots called in sick, Sorzano said CAL must ask itself what has been distressing its workers to the point that they are now “sick and tired.”
Asked whether AWACU members would be taking any form of action, she responded, “We will not be taking any industrial action, but we will be letting our voice be heard”.
Sorzano said ACAWU members have been asked to wear red and black ribbons this week and change their social media profile pictures to purple to show solidarity with TTALPA.
