| Statement by the Caribbean Congress of Labour on the Proposed LIAT/Caribbean Star Merger |
| SC Admin |
11/1/2006
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Airlines & Cruiselines
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LIAT's survival must not deny workers' rights
Bridgetown --- 1 Nov. 2006 --- The Caribbean Congress of Labour wishes to express its concern over the proposed merger of LIAT and Caribbean Star of the Stanford Group of Companies.
This concern is based on the fact that, while LIAT workers are covered by trade unions recognized by their employer, the workers of Caribbean Star do not enjoy that status because of a well-known position not deal with trade unions, taken by their employer.
CCL is not unaware of the financial difficulties faced over the years by LIAT. CCL also understands that LIAT is very important to the Caribbean especially to the people of the Eastern Caribbean and, consequently there is need to ensure its existence and viability. However, the survival of LIAT must not be on the altar of denial of the Rights of Workers especially the Right to be represented by a trade union of their choice.
The Caribbean Congress of Labour wishes to remind Governments of the region which are the shareholders of LIAT that they have ratified Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in particular, Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, both of which have been in existence for over fifty (50) years. Consequently, any decision to merge LIAT with a Company that has a policy of non-unionization of its workers would seriously violate the ILO Conventions No. 87 and No. 98. The Caribbean Congress of Labor therefore urges the shareholders and Management of LIAT to exercise care and good sense in any merger discussions.
CCL wishes to publicly state that it will be keeping a close watch on developments of the proposed merger and will alert its thirty Affiliates to be prepared for action to protect the Rights of LIAT workers to continue to enjoy trade union coverage.
Source: CCL
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