FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Statement
The Antigua & Barbuda Workers’ Union, on behalf of the LIAT employees we represent
and on behalf of all LIAT employees residing in Antigua and Barbuda, condemns and takes
exception to the media statement put out by the Office of the Prime Minister dated 20th
December, 2021, stating that “the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has today 20th
December, 2021 dispatched $2,000,000 to the LIAT Court-Appointed Receiver for
distribution to resident former LIAT workers”.
It must be clearly understood that neither the eligible employees nor their respective
union representatives were apprised of this pay-out prior to that media statement.
Further, the Statement’s reference to the Court-Appointed Receiver is either a deception
or a clear deliberate misnomer by the Government, since LIAT (1974) Ltd. is not currently
in Receivership but rather in Administration.
Additionally, this notion that the severance/terminal benefits pay-out which is put out as
a Compassionate Payment is grossly exaggerated and can be readily perceived that the
Government is seeking to bribe employees into accepting whatever has been placed on
the table by the Government with respect to the employees’ entitlements.
In keeping with the Government’s modus operandi not to consult and engage in
meaningful dialogue with the employees and their representatives, this latest unilateral
pronouncement with no indication whatsoever of the mechanism that will be utilised to
bring “some Christmas cheer to those who have been severed” is a classic example of
dictatorial and marginalisational tendencies of the Government.
This lack of consultation and direct engagement with employees and their representatives
is wreaking havoc on the situation and raises questions about the sincerity and
genuineness of the various pronouncements coming from the Government to settle this
matter in regards to the LIAT issue, particularly as it relates to entitlements which are
legally due to the employees.
The Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union is reiterating its numerous calls for the
Government to fully consult and engage the employees and their representative Unions
to find workable and acceptable solutions to the issues at hand and to desist from playing
a political game of chess with the livelihoods of the current hardworking employees and
former employees of LIAT (1974) Ltd.
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Its clearer who is playing politics, Clearly this union focus is not the workers. The government press release set only one condition and that is they be residents of A&B. Instead of welcoming some rellief for the workers, AWU is focused on its feelings being hurt
Unions are Jokers.
Accept it without prejudice.
If it cannot be accepted without prejudice for the season of Christ, it would seem the offer is not genuine and the government is preying on the desperation of by now near starving people.
Let us see.
Hope the former workers are able to get an ounce of relief this season, without having to sacrifice the embers of their dignity to do so.
Is it even possible that they can receive it from the administrator before Christmas or is it just a Yuletide gimmick timing wise?
Wow.. A Union is not satisfied that it’s members are getting some money’s. It’s must be first. Oops the government is bruising our egos. Why do people still have these kinda Union representing them? I guarantee if it’s was his political party that did the same thing. This Union man will be dancing in his Santa suit and singing Ho!!Ho!!
If a government doesn’t provide support to its residents they are wicked.
If a government provides support to its residents they are playing politics.
What a dilemma!!!!!
Unions don´t care about workers. They are more interested in playing hardball in a pompous, haughty manner.
To Telling, Columbo, dot, and whoever else. Put yourself in the same shoes, would you work for how many years and Gaston tell you that the government will give you something but not what you are entitled to? That you have no choice, you have to take it or leave it? That is dictatorship. It’s a pattern that’s been going on under this administration. The union is right, you guys are wrong. Antiguans need to take a stance and not settle for dangling carrots. The PM is sitting pretty on his millions while average workers try to collect what they are entitled to. The PM needs to get off his high horse and people like you need to stop being subservient and open your eyes to see how Gaston is using the highest office in the land to bully and belittle the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Please wake up, look in your own pockets and see what’s going on.
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