Reginald Grant, the company’s deputy general manager, yesterday dismissed fears over possible industrial action by the Airport, Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) over the requested 20 per cent pay cut, saying that management and union officials were continuing to negotiate in good faith. An amicable conclusion was expected.
Negotiations
In an interview with The Tribune, Mr. Grant said the two sides were still in the middle of negotiations. Management had not taken a hard and fast position, but was instead looking to negotiate in good faith.
Mr. Grant said further that he hoped the two parties would sit down and discuss what
would be good for the union members, without discussing it in the press.
“They need to sit down and negotiate with us. In our initial discussions we informed them that if they think of a better way they should let us know, and we can come to an amicable arrangement that is in the best interest of all parties,” he added.
On Wednesday, AAAUW president, Nelerene Harding, said Nassau Flight Services officials had communicated to the union that effective September 25 through October 29, 2005, they would reduce the work week and employees’ salaries by 20 per cent. The proposed pay reduction was suggested by management because of a reduction in flights to the Bahamas by a major client, Us Airways, over that one-month period.
The union objected to the pay cuts, arguing that Nassau Flight Services had always experienced a downturn in business during this period, but had never asked employees to take a reduction in pay.
Mr. Grant said Nassau Flight Services made the request because the 2005 period was even slower than usual. He added that it was the slowest period they had experienced for a number of years, with a real downturn in business.
US Airways is understood to have reduced its number of flights to Nassau from 40 in August to 16 in September. It operated 23 flights in September 2004. In addition, Spirit has reduced its number of flights to Nassau to seven this month, compared to 14 in August.
Mr. Grant reiterated, however, that management was having an internal discussion with the union on how they would deal with the slow period.
“We really want to sit down and finish our discussion with the union. We want to finish the discussion and finish it as amicably as possible. If I start commenting on detailed aspects of the negotiations, I’ll be inviting an escalation of the discussions in the press,” Mr. Grant said.
“We haven’t had any major problems with the union for a very long time, and we want to sit down and finish discussions and live like we’ve always lived, in peace.”
Meanwhile, Mr Grant said contract negotiations with the union were just about complete.
He added that although no agreement had been signed, Nassau Flight Services has already paid the employees as per the agreement and the signing would be a formality.
Nassau Flight Services is a ground handling contractor that provides various foreign airlines, who may not have a sufficient schedule to warrant bringing in employees, with staff.
They handle the complete staff needs of Air Canada, Continental Airlines and Virgin Airlines, providing them with ticket and operations: agents, baggage loaders and aircraft cleaners. The company also provides a full representation of staff, including management staff and ticket agents, for airlines such as US Airways, and Spirit.
Nassau Flight Services provides power and air conditioning’ facilities to cool down the aircraft: when in the parked position. They, dump sewerage and provide the airlines οΎ lines with drinking water. The company is capable of providing all nontechnical services needed to operate an aircraft.
Source: Yolanda Deleveaux, The Tribune
