OROPOUCHE MP Dr Roodal Moonilal is calling on the chairman of Caribbean Airlines Ronnie Mohammed to resign in the wake of Sunday’s sickout by pilots that left thousands of travellers stranded.
In a release on Wednesday, Dr Moonilal also called on the directors – Michael Quamina, Enid Zephyrine, Dr Chris Maharaj, and Zachary Harding – to also step down.
He said, “Under the watch of the current Board of Directors, CAL has cost Trinidad and Tobago more than $1 billion in financial bailouts, and there have been major staff cutbacks, unsafe working conditions, and poor industrial relations.
“Even after reducing the workforce by more than 600 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline has not been able to put its house in order.
“Instead, the company has created a toxic work environment, with incompetent and authoritative management, and a lack of transparency in decision-making.”
Dr Moonilal said the once-proud domestic aviation industry was now being run in a haphazard manner, short-circuiting international health and safety standards and engaging in union-busting.
He said the incompetence of the entire board has caused several senior and experienced pilots and other employees to leave their jobs for postings with well-administered international airlines.
Dr Moonilal added, “Flight attendants and other workers have complained of being penalised, and there are ongoing reports of a lack of proper communication, and of weak marketing.”
“CAL is a crucial state enterprise not only because of its hefty cost to taxpayers but also because it brands and promotes Trinidad and Tobago in the global community.”
He said, “The ineptitude of the directors should lead to their removal and replacement with competent, dedicated, and transparent officials.
“Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley should not be deterred by the fact that he is a social friend of the non-performing chairman.”
