Air Jamaica pilots barred from striking

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has welcomed the ruling by the Jamaica Industrial Disputes Tribunal blocking a planned strike by members of the Jamaica Airlines Pilots Association (JALPA).

The Tribunal issued an "Order to Refrain from Industrial Action" against JALPA, with respect to the dispute between CARIBAL Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of CAL, and CAL's Jamaican pilots and, in particular, "that the industrial dispute shall not take place," CAL said in a statement on Friday night.

"We are delighted that a sensible outcome has been achieved for families, friends, tourists and all customers into and out of Jamaica. It is not expected that passengers will experience any interrupted service during this Christmas season.

"Our contingency plans are still in effect and shall carry through for a few weeks at a much lower scale, and we have retained the ability to bring the contingencies fully up if issues arise to ensure there is no impact to the consumer."

JALPA had served notice of industrial action on CAL and the airline confirmed receiving the notice on December 8, advising it of industrial action to be taken within 72 hours.

But CAL said that it was "regrettable that this action has been chosen, as the pilots themselves wrote there is nothing Caribbean Airlines is in breach of with them." Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica were integrated into one airline in July this year.

CAL noted that since then, it has invested significantly into the pilot body in particular with Boeing 737 training and development, provided the best in class aircraft, good employment benefits and provided the employment environment for its Jamaican pilots.

It added that the Air Jamaica brand, which consists of 650 employees, would continue to operate.

The pilots are said to be upset about salary issues.