St. John’s Antigua- Antigua-based employees of American Airlines inched one day closer to retrenchment without their hopes that union or government intervention could reverse their fortunes being realised.
General Secretary of Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) David Massiah told OBSERVER he met with the workers in a long, emotional meeting Tuesday night. But at the end of it, many questions remained unanswered. The only certainties, Massiah said, was that the workers felt betrayed.
Up to press time last night, Massiah said he did not have any exact figure of the number of employees who would be affected. He could only put the number between 20 and 30.
He also said in response to a question posed by OBSERVER that it seems as if the union is in worst-case scenario mode, where its role will be to negotiate for fair severance packages for the employees.
Reports indicate that Airport Services Antigua is the vendor of choice for American Airlines.
Massiah said it is regretful that the development came stealthily and did not offer the union a chance to secure employment for some of the soon-to-be-displaced workers.
“In the course of regular negotiations, the union should have had the opportunity to ask the other company to give an opportunity to the workers,” Massiah said.
He was still hoping, last night, that government intervention would bring some ease.
Overseas representatives of the financially challenged US carrier informed the ABWU and shop stewards that, as of November 1, the company would outsource its operations in Antigua.
We should not have been caught off-guard. AA is filing for Bankruptcy. Its stocks are down! It needs to find ways to cut cost as every business in the world at this time, except BOENG.
It is hard yes, but we must become real. AA is taking action to see to its survival as every business, government, and employee. Sooo Sorry for the employees out of work, but at least, they will receive their separation package upfront.
Government will have to do the same in the new year. Otherwise it will be bye, bye to Civil Society Antigua and Barbuda. Now let’s as a people, or as groups, or individuals in the society look at our survival coming from our brainpower. What can we do that will resound to jobs and foreign exchange growth, to add to Tourism. Stop the whining and do the planning.
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…and Observer is still of the opinion that Maginey did not know? Nonsense! In any event, he will still have his two stores in Heritage Quay, so he is living large.
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