Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) obtained an injunction against the TT Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) on Monday which compelled pilots to return to work. The airline took this action after 75 pilots called in sick a total of 93 times between Saturday and Sunday, causing the airline to cancel 60 international and domestic flights.
A ruling by Industrial Court members Melvin Daniel, Albert Aberdeen and Bindimattie Mahabir said TTALPA was "restrained from taking and/or continuing to take and/or participating howsoever in industrial action within the meaning of the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01 (hereinafter referred to as "the act") including calling in sick en masse."
The union has also been told to "instruct/ or direct" its membership that they are to "immediately report for duty as rostered and as they are required to do in the normal course of their employment."
The ruling also included a warning that a penal clause could be endorsed.
"If you the within named party no 2 being the Trinidad and Tobago Airline Pilots Association or any of your members or howsoever otherwise known, classified, designated, categorised, called or described disobey this order, you will be liable to the process of execution for the purpose of compelling you to obey same."
The injunction said the orders of the court would continue until September 28.
In a statement on Monday, CAL said it sought the support of the Industrial Court after receiving calls from the pilots each indicating they were unwell and unable to report for duty.
“The airline received each of these calls around three hours before the scheduled departure times of the respective flights. CAL moved quickly to recover by pursuing alternatives and leased charters to transport the displaced passengers on the international and regional routes. The Port of Port of Spain assisted the airline’s domestic operations, by adding a special ferry sailing which took passengers to and from Tobago.”
Flights to Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, New York and Toronto were cancelled, as well as those from those locations to TT.
In a second statement on social media on Monday, CAL made it clear that other members of the operational team had been fully prepared to come out to work.
“Our entire team – from our dedicated ground staff, front-end personnel, cabin crew, reservations call centres, maintenance, and management – were, as per usual, fully prepared to ensure the smooth functioning of our flights. Despite our meticulous planning and state of readiness, we could not have anticipated or adequately prepared for these unfortunate events. We thank the entire team for their continued commitment during what was a very difficult period.”
CAL apologised to its passengers for the recent disruptions to its flights. It said the unavailability of the pilots, combined with the short notice, made it impossible to recover.
“We fully understand the frustration and extreme disappointment that such unexpected cancellations can bring, especi
