Relations between a senior manager at LIAT, Desmond Brown and two executives of the Antigua & Barbuda Workers’ Union have hit an all time low with the airline threatening to take legal action against the two senior officials.
According to reports, General Secretary David Massiah and Industrial Relations Officer Clarence Crump had gone to query LIAT’s version of a story written earlier when the discussion apparently became loud and boisterous leading to claims that the airline official had felt “threatened and unsafe.”
The incident caused Human Resource Manager Ilean Ramsey to write to the two union officials that, “These acts caused reasonable apprehension of the affliction of the battery on Mr Brown by these senior executives.”
Crump has categorically denied using threats and insulting language to the LIAT manager. In fact, he told The Daily OBSERVER that when they arrived at the office they knocked on the door and were told to come in by Brown.
According to the industrial officer, Browne was first to be offensive when he said, ‘”Who you be, the police?’ We did not answer. Mr Massiah then said, ‘If you’re Mr Brown, what you have put in this is not the truth.’”
Crump said Browne responded by saying, “I don’t have to answer to none of you all.”
Crump further added that it was at that point that the human resources manager arrived and escorted them from the office.
“We didn’t get to any big hard talk and I said to him, ‘Mr Browne, you must know what to put in the paper and get both sides of it.’ He raised his voice, so we raised our voice.”
According to the missive, which has been copied to Chairman Jean Holder, Acting CEO Brian Challenger, CFO Julie Reifer Jones and Chairman of the Council of Trade Union Senator Chester Humphrey, the press statements and releases represent the views of management at all times and should not be regarded as his personal position.”
For the second day in a row staff at the airline continued their work stoppage over what they say is management’s transience in acceding to their request for a 3 percent annual pay increase.
Massiah has confirmed that the pay dispute that has driven the two-day strike is now in the hands of Labour Commissioner Hesketh Williams.
Workers have decided to return to work today pending the outcome of the mediation.
Oh please!! I know this guy(the senator) and this is just strategy and grand standing on the senator’s part. However, I am glad someone has put him in his place for being a bully. I wonder why he does not have the same fight for hotel workers? Maybe it is the cheese he had at the hotel’s breakfast buffet.
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the former workers of leeward island security ,is still seeking justise for monies owed to them,and up to know we cannot hear anything on this matter.we went to the union [ a.w.u ] but they fell a sleep on the matter up to know our salaries have not been paid to us yet ,and it was not a mount salary its for 4 months and up.what about our severance,redundancy pay lue of notice pay and all the damages that will come with that.the owners still pulling teeth ,the tailor is still making dresses but what about us. watching and waiting to see who care for the people ,former liss hard worker
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thats the fight mr crump we should have talk to u ,when we at liss went to the union.still no justise for workers
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