Pilot referred to mediation

 THE Waigani National Court has ordered that a case involving a pilot and Air Niugini be referred to mediation to deal with issues that include contract of employment. 

Justice Catherine Davani made the order last Friday after parties appeared briefly for mention. 

The matter will now go before Justice Ambeng Kandakasi for parties to give their preference on who should be the mediator in the case. 

Davani said the matter would return to court if mediation did not work. 

Lawyer Moses Murray, representing the plaintiff and pilot Clark Piokole, said a statement of claim had been filed in accordance with the court’s directions.

Piokole had filed a court case claiming breach of constitutional rights in signing a new employment contract with Air Niugini. 

Piokole argues that his terms and conditions of employment are covered by the 2012 agreement and that Air Niugini’s action forcing him to sign the 2015 contract is erroneous and in breach of section 43 (1), 46, 48 of the Constitution and section 33 and 36 of the Industrial Relations Act. 

Piokole is the first plaintiff, and the PNG National Pilots Union is the second. 

Rei Logona and Air Niugini are named as defendants in the matter. 

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and East Sepik Governor Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare said protests by many Air Niugini pilots because of  salary cuts and reduction in manpower put people’s safety at risk. 

“I am calling on (Minister) Ben Micah and Air Niugini to ground all flights and immediately resolve the pilot pay cuts as the safety of the public has been compromised,” Sir Michael said.

Sir Michael said Micah’s comment in Parliament, last week that safety of the public was not an issue was not correct.

He said having limited number of pilots working long hours would be tiring, thus causing them to lose focus during flights, which was a safety risk.