By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Christmas industrial action by Bahamasair pilots over failed contract negotiations with the government cost the airline over $820,000 as of January 20, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed yesterday.

Mr Davis said claims for “ticket refunds, hotel, car, and related expenses continue to pour in”.

Mr Davis’ comments come in the wake of a two-day sickout staged by Bahamasair pilots in December amidst a standoff between the pilots and the government over failed salary negotiations with government officials for their new contract.

The pilots’ actions left numerous travellers – local and foreign – stranded in New Providence and Florida, with many vowing never to fly on Bahamasair again.

“As of January 20th, the cost of this illegal industrial action was calculated at $822,321.29, and claims for ticket refunds, hotel, car, and related expenses continue to pour in,” Mr Davis said yesterday in the House of Assembly. “This does not sit well with Bahamian taxpayers, who are the beneficial owners of Bahamasair.

“I have already condemned the action as unconscionable. It was taken at a most inconvenient time, when Bahamians and tourists were most vulnerable and hard-pressed for time. Bahamasair’s pilots would wish right-thinking, intelligent people to believe that 17 out of 17 pilots were sick on the afternoon of December 22nd, and 38 of 38 pilots were sick on the morning and the afternoon of December 23rd.

“These pilots added insult to injury by deliberately blocking management’s efforts to provide alternative airlift by misleading their US counterparts, who in turn issued threats of blacklisting pilots of two airlines contracted to operate Bahamasair’s flights.”

The standoff occurred during the airline’s “peak travel period”.

According to Bahamasair, union executives representing the pilots “walked out of a contract negotiation meeting” on the morning of December 22 at the Ministry of Labour, where discussions on salary structure for the new contract were taking place. An industry insider said the industrial action started sometime around 2pm, shortly after the meeting with government officials.

That evening, police were summoned to the Lynden Pindling International Airport’s international departures lounge to calm hundreds of disgruntled Bahamasair passengers after the airline announced it had cancelled its flights to Miami.

The announcement came after the passengers, a mixture of residents and tourists, reportedly spent more than 12 hours waiting in the departure lounge for their flights.

Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson subsequently vowed not to negotiate with “a gun” to his head as he subsequently expressed his frustration with the two-day sick out the pilots staged.

The minister apologised on behalf of the government to “passengers who are stranded throughout the Bahamas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami”.

However, Mr Davis said shortly afterwards that the pilots’ “corporate sabotage” should quicken the government’s effort to privatise the cash-strapped airline. He also said the pilots may be punished appropriately for their “unlawful” industrial action.

Mr Davis did not reveal what punishment lies in store for the pilots, and exactly when it would be administered, however. A well-placed source told The Tribune the pilots’ pay will be docked for the missed work days. At the time the government was also considering asking the pilots to pay for the losses the airline incurred due to the industrial action.

Sky Bahamas President Randy Butler called the industrial action from the pilots “irresponsible and careless”, adding that the pilots are already overpaid.

Bahamasair also said it was gravely disappointed with the pilots’ position, and called their actions “unreasonable and unwarranted – considering the fact that these pilots are the highest paid in the region.”

However, Bahamas Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) President Captain Joseph Moxey said his members are “not being unreasonable” in their demands. He apologised to the public for the situation, but said the pilots are “stressed out and mentally drained” and it is not safe for them to fly a plane in that state.

Last month, Tribune Business reported that Bahamasair was facing “serious damage control” in the wake of the pre-Christmas sick-out by its pilots.

According to Bahamasair, some of its turbo prop pilots earn $91,000 a year with some jet captains taking home $132,000 before overtime and benefits.