Airport Management and Union Reach Settlement to Avoid Strike at AIA

By Admin. Updated 8:58 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Planned industrial action over unsettled wage issues for workers at the Argyle International Airport – AIA has been averted.

In an April 11 press release, the Public Service Union which represents many workers at the airport said it met with the Management of the Argyle International Airport Inc. on April 10 to discuss the outstanding retroactive payments owed to workers for the period 2020 to 2022.

The Union said: “We are pleased to report that the AIA Inc. and the SVG Public Service Union [have] reached an amicable settlement agreement”.

In a March 26 press release the Public Service Union – PSU said it had given the management of the Argyle International Airport until until April 12, 2024 to settle the outstanding payments, that is, the retroactive component of the increments.

That annoucment was based on a February 22, 2024 meeting the PSU said it has with the management of the airport.

In that March 26 press release, the PSU said:

“On Friday 22nd March 2024, the SVG Public Service Union met with its aggrieved members at the Argyle International Airportregarding the outstanding retroactive component of the increment for 2019. The increment which amounted to 1.5% was paid January, 2023 and therefore it was expected that the retroactive component for the years 2019,2020,2021, and 2022 will be paid”.

“The Union sent numerous letters and held numerous meetings with the management of the Argyle International Airport for a period of four (4) years; with our first letter dated October 29, 2020. The payment of increments is in accordance to the AIA Employee Policy Manual section 6 – Compensation Policies – subsection 6.5- Increments which stated “Wage/Salary Increments will be paid to employees’ subject to satisfactory performance under the AIA’s performance review program.” However, to date the outstanding retroactive payments has not been settled,” the March 26 press release said.

“During this period the Union has compromised, and our members have been very patient, as we tried to maintain a cordial relationship with the organization. However, after tirelessly and unsuccessfully trying to get this matter resolvedthe Union have decided to serve AIA notice that they have until April 12, 2024 to settle the outstanding payments, that is, the retroactive component of the increments,” the March 26 press release added.

“If the outstanding payments are not settled by the April 12, 2024the PSU will initiate industrial action against the AIA on a Monday or Wednesday on a date of our choosing. This action will continue until this grievously outstanding matter is settled,” the March 26 press release added.

The PSU also held a press conference on Tuesday 2nd April, 2024, where it further amplified its collective position on the issue.

In the April 12 press release announcing that the planned strike will be called off, the PSU said:

“The Union would like to thank Mr. Godfred Pompey, Chairman of the Board and the members of the management team for exercising good industrial relation practices. We also want to thank the hard working workers and members of the AIA Inc.for their patience and commitment. They were instrumental in us arriving at this settlement”.

“As a result of this, the planned industrial action that was planned for Monday 15th April 2024 has been canceled,” the April 12 press release stated.