Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that the government will cover 32% of the severance package for former LIAT 1974 Ltd staff, representing Antigua and Barbuda’s shares. During LIAT 20’s inaugural flight, Browne pledged $10 million by year-end to support these workers, despite no legal obligation and lack of support from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU).
“We believe in equity, fairness, and providing relief to staff facing economic hardships,” Browne stated, noting that previous efforts were stymied by the ABWU.
The government decided to bypass the union and go directly to the staff, ensuring $10 million will be available this year. Browne urged staff to accept this offer, highlighting that other shareholder governments are unlikely to provide full severance.
He stressed the importance of not leaving future generations with unfulfilled commitments and assured former staff they could seek the remaining severance from other shareholder governments.
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As I read this story, EVEN THOUGH THE TOPIC IS A VERY SERIOUS ONE, I had to laugh when I recognize how some of the former employees have been ‘SCREWED’ in my opinion by ‘PARTNER CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES’ and advice I am told was given to some former employees.
I laughed at this quote: “HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT LEAVING FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH UNFULFILLED COMMITMENTS AND ASSURED FORMER STAFF THEY COULD SEEK THE REMAINING SEVERANCE FROM OTHER SHAREHOLDER GOVERNMENTS”.
Really? I guess the applicable phrase is ‘THEY COULD SEEK’…… I wonder how they going to go about doing that? We shall watch and see.
I know that former staff members HAVE LOST OUT ON EIGHTEEN PERCENT (18%) OF MONIES OR VALUE they could have received.
Sad to say, some will loose ALL because they will fool-heartedly, by choice or ADVICE, accept nothing.
This is my last comment on this issue.
Being a student of Trade Unionism in this Country, it is so sad of the depths we have fallen to but as someone said in the pass, THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN WE WILL AGAIN SEE LEADERS WHO TRULY HAVE WORKERS AT HEART.
If I am not around, I will borrow a phrase from my dead dad: ANTS WILL BRING THE MESSAGE TO ME.
The former employees of LIAT are screwed from all over. We were first screwed by CLICO by millions of dollars. Now we’re getting deeply screwed by the Government that is to take care of us. With our Government screwing then all employers believe that they can screw their workers the same way. Who will fight for them. Not the very PM that is screwing us. Not with this example. Gaston Browne MUST go. He doesn’t care about people or country. He just care about his own pocket and getting rich. Say what you all want. Who in the kitchen feeling the heat. PM what about the monies you are asking the bank to release so we can get 100% severance. What about our vacation pay, what about our back pay, what about our 2 months unpaid (May and June 2020) salary before our termination. Workers Union. What about these monies. Somebody do something before we have no homes and then the address on our voters IDs will be homeless.
@ BEEF: Do you realize that opportunities passes by only once and that lightning does not strike the same place twice?
1. Didn’t the govt initially offered 100% to the LIAT workers?
2. Weren’t the LIAT 74 workers discouraged by the union not to take it?
3. Isn’t the asset of LIAT 74 owned by Antigua, Barbados & ST. Vincent with Antigua owning 32% of the shares?
4. Why then should Antigua pay more than the 32%?
5. Shouldn’t the former workers seek that 68% from the other 2 gov’ts? Is it not their responsibility?
Let’s be real and stop covering up the union’s mess of playing politics and allowing the former workers of LIAT 74 to suffer. Call a spade a spade!!
“Didn’t the govt initially offered 100% to the LIAT workers”?
THIS NEVER EVER HAPPENED. If it did, the former workers would be so glad.
The best offer the government made was Fifty Percent (50%) of the Severance Amount, to be paid in cash, land etc (do your checks before commenting).
You obviously did not understand my comment and you obviously do not understand Labour Relations but what the heck. Shit happens.
@ Bluddy Joke
You are just an ass-tist for Gaston with all the other minions on here. You swallow every piece of crapp Gaston utters and do not have any facts.
PRAY TELL ME, WHEN did the government offer the Liat workers 100% severance?
You are a thorough ass-tist.
Why don’t they keep their concerns on the roads of antigua
Some people were living under a rock those former liat workers sit back thinking other people would do for them what should have been done by them most or probably all have voted for browne boy in the last election you ever heard about digging your own grave the other shear holders all but Antigua n st Vincent have paid their former liat workers 100% why would those that paid up now give money to Antigua former liat workers when you play stupid games win stupid prizes in the beginning I had felt for those workers but not any more they are still keeping quiet as they did for years now so just continue in silence.
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