The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has issued a statement clarifying reports of a breakdown in negotiations between Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) and Trinidad and Tobago Airlines Pilot Association (TTALPA).
It noted that TTALPA by letter dated December 8th 2021 purported to report to the Ministry, the Breakdown in Negotiations for a revised Collective Agreement for the period 2015 to 2018, between itself and CAL.
The Ministry said that it responded by letter dated December 13th 2021, having observed that the purported report was statute barred, and drew their attention to Section 51 (3) of Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 88:01; which allows for a request to be made to the Minister for an extension of time to report a matter that was not reported within the statutory limitation period of six (6) months.
There were numerous exchanges between the Ministry, TTALPA’s Consultant- Zatopek Solutions Inc. and TTALPA regarding the purported report of a breakdown in negotiations.
It maintained however that to date, neither party has made a request to the Minister pursuant to section 51 (3) to enable either party to properly report a breakdown in negotiations.
Therefore, it says there is no trade dispute before the Ministry of Labour with respect to the breakdown in negotiations for the period 2015 to 2018.