Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that he does not believe that the majority of workers at the Argyle International Airport will follow through with the Public Service Union’s plans to take industrial action.
The Prime Minister, speaking on WE FM’s Issue At Hand program, said that he believes that only a few of the AIA’s staff will walk off the job if the Union’s demands are not met by April 12th.
“I want to say this, though, it would be a complete dereliction of duty for any reasonable person to seek to call out workers, as they themselves have said publicly, the totality of what they’re talking about is $40 ,000 to close down an airport. I believe it’s more than $40 ,000, but from their own perspective, they say $40 ,000, and I do not for one moment believe that the overwhelming majority of the workers at the airport will follow that call. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will shame such persons to a degree that they will never understand.” The Prime Minister said.
The Public Service Union said that workers at AIA are owed increments dating back to 2016. However, they have decided to forfeit the payment of the sums for 2016 to 2018.
According to the union, 2019’s increment of 1.5 percent of workers’ salaries was paid in January 2023. the union said it expected the retroactive component for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, estimated at EC$40,000 to be paid.
The PSU says if the outstanding payments are not settled by the April 12th, 2024, they will initiate industrial action against the AIA on a Monday or Wednesday on a date of their choosing. They said that this action will continue until the matter is settled.