Dear Editor,
Much is being said these days about LIAT (2020) and the gains over the year. There is even a rebranding of LIAT Air taking flight.
But while these conversations continue, one painful question remains unanswered: what about the former LIAT 1974 Ltd workers who were left behind without their severance?
Hundreds of loyal employees gave decades of service to LIAT, keeping the airline alive through its many storms. Yet, when the company collapsed, we were left with nothing.
The Antigua and Barbuda Government made an offer, but the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) and its General Secretary, David Massiah, urged us to reject it with promises of a “better deal.”
To this day, no better deal has come. Instead, we remain broke, abandoned, and struggling to survive.
It is disheartening that they have not settled their obligations to the men and women who carried LIAT on their backs for decades. We deserve more than silence. We deserve answers.
Where is the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union in this fight? Where is David Massiah, who encouraged us to turn down the government’s offer?
Why are former employees being treated as though our years of sacrifice are worthless?
As plans for LIAT Air move forward and talks of even flying to the US and UK, let us not forget that justice is still owed to the workers of LIAT 1974 Ltd.
We demand accountability, we demand answers, and above all, we demand fairness.
Sincerely,
A former LIAT 1974 Ltd Worker
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This is very sad, because the LIAT workers stupidly allowed The Antigua Barbuda Workers’ Union to use their severance-money last election as a political pawn to advance the UPP agenda and gain David Massiah his UPP-appointed Senatorship to secure his lifetime pension. What UPP business does ABWU General Secretary Massiah have being the UPP’s Senate Leader?
If somebody owe you a $100, and tell you hold $60,…. Doesn’t it make sense to grab the $60 now, and fight for the rest after? LIAT workers got PLAYED big time like a pack of fools by the ABWU, Chester & Massiah – – and have ONLY themselves to blame. FACTS
Sir I can only imagine your pain and dissatisfaction with the Liat situation. However, unless your suggesting something untowards took place with the union, the union and its head was not to blame. He was at the time looking after your interest. Blame here lays squarly at the feet of Gaston Brown and his gutless band of labour politicians. If they were for the workers on Antigua, they would have ensured all entitled ex Liat workers were paid their severence. So shame on GB and the labour government.