Diminished Severance for LIAT Workers is an Insult and Violation of Their Rights
St. John’s, Antigua – The Browne Administration’s decision to offer former LIAT 1974 Ltd employees a drastically reduced severance package of just 32% is a stark betrayal of the government’s self-professed identity as a “labour” administration.
This action disregards the invaluable contributions of LIAT workers to Antigua and the wider region, failing to ensure that local workers receive the full severance they are owed.
In contrast, the Government of Barbados, LIAT’s largest shareholder, finalized severance payments to its workers in 2024, and St. Lucia has also fulfilled its obligations.
The Browne Administration claims financial constraints prevent full severance payments, but this narrative is contradicted by its history of granting substantial concessions and incentives to external entities with questionable returns on investment.
This prioritization of external interests over the rights of local workers highlights a glaring inconsistency in governance.
Why should hardworking Antiguans and Barbudans be marginalized while resources are funneled to entities with negligible contributions to national development?
The erosion of severance value due to inflation over the past five years compounds the insult of the proposed 32% settlement. Workers, who should have received compensation with interest to account for inflation, are instead being further disadvantaged.
Such treatment demonstrates a lack of compassion and fairness, undermining the sacrifices these workers have made.
Adding to the controversy is the government’s disregard for the legally recognized union representing LIAT workers.
By sidelining the union, the administration undermines collective bargaining rights, setting a dangerous precedent for employers across the nation. This approach erodes trust and threatens the foundational principles of fairness in labour relations.
The inequity extends further with potential disparities among workers.
Those who previously accepted a 50% settlement—comprising cash, bonds, and land—are left in limbo regarding the fulfillment of their agreements. The possibility of two separate severance classes, 50% for some and 32% for others, raises serious concerns about justice and equality.
The administration’s handling of LIAT workers does not end with severance.
Reports suggest that employees transitioning to LIAT 2020 are earning wages significantly below industry standards, with some making half of their previous salaries.
This double injustice underlines the administration’s disregard for workers’ welfare.
Transparency is urgently needed, and the government must release details of its agreement with Air Peace, given its track record of unequal agreements with private entities.
While LIAT’s return to the skies is commendable, it does not absolve the government of its moral and legal obligations to former workers.
A fair resolution requires meaningful dialogue with the workers and their representatives.
The workers’ rights to collective bargaining are protected under local laws and the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 98. Ignoring these rights is both unacceptable and unlawful.
The Browne Administration must act immediately to address this issue with leadership that respects international labour standards.
The dignity of LIAT’s former workers and the principles of justice demand no less.
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I totally agree with the union stance on this but for years the former workers have suffered and the union stand by without a fight. Lives were lost due to the lack of finance for proper medical care. Mortgages are outstanding. Things are really really bad and have been bad for the ex workers and, it was nay from the union. All now I am hoping that the PM will get a heart and be reallly compassionate and pay the 100% to us. Who feels it.knows it.
ABWU them why don’t you start a special fund solely for the purpose of bringing relief to your hostages. You know that the Government is not legally bound to provide financial relief to the workers of LIAT 74 since they were not employed by them but were employed by the governments of Antigua, Barbados and St. Vincent. You know tye facts, Mr. Gen. Sec. but just like the deceitful party you support, you continue to give the LIAT 74 workers that the Hovernment owes them full severance. The LIAT ex-employees are no fools – or so I thought. Back then, LIAT sought workers of a reasonably sound educational background. It was well known that the rank and file now-on-the-breadline ex-LIAT workers were very strong PLM now UPP supporters. They hated with a passion anything associated with the ALP/ABLP givernment and were encouraged to be as disloyal as possible to the country, government and taxpayers who provided their daily bread. They ran the airline into the ground. Now, understandably, like errant children then turn to their union to fix the problem they created in the first place. Their only answer to these aggrieved ex-employees is further belligerence. The ABWU should be made to make up the balance of whatever they claim is due. Yet another UPP- affiliated failure.
Interestingly, the union’s claims that the government is not doing the payment legally but is not taking legal actions against it. It’s truly mind boggling. What a strange and disgusting way to represent workers?
USELESS DAVID MASSIAH 😑
That union does NOT care about employees
100% severance to hateful unemployed LIAT74 Ltd???? Hell no!!!
The ABWU encouraged the then privileged workers during their heyday to run the airline into the ground. They should approach the current administration, cap in hand and beg them on behalf of their displaced ex-employees. Show some empathy for the workforce you helped to destroy.
GERIATRIC DAVID MASSIAH needs to be pulled from the Senate to make way for the 25% YOUTH appointment UPP promised last election!!!
It was the wicked ABWU who rejected the initial 50% severance offer, which the Government wasn’t legally bound to make. David Massiah somehow neglected to mention that.
I really don’t know why the UBWU is hell bend and putting the liability of the majority of the Former Liat Workers on the back of the Goverenment of Antigua and Barbuda, when they are not the majority shareholder. This is such an un-reasonable position that the union is promoting and it is all because of the politics. And the problem I have is that government money is all of us yax payers money. And they are actually saying to spend our tax payers’ monies on people that we have no legal liability for. And furthermore they are praisining Barbados for having taken care of workers in Barbados, but if LIAT was profitable would not the profit be shared by the ratio of the number of shares one holds. So why should the liability be shared by which the staff complement each country has. That is such an unfair and unreasonable position these union is holding. And again it is all about politics. Barbados was the largest shareholder therefore Barbados will have to pay the lion share of the liability. And thereafter comes Antigua and Barbuda. And that would be an equetable sharing of the liability. The union should stop politicking and start serious negotiation with the other shareholders about their fare share of taking care of the severance liability of the workers. Yes Liat Head Quarters was in Antigua, but LIAT largest shareholder was Barbados.