- St Vincent’s Argyle International Airport Faces Industrial Action
On Friday 22nd March 2024, the SVG Public Service Union met with its aggrieved members at the Argyle International Airport regarding 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.
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 resolved the 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.
If the outstanding payments are not settled by the April 12, 2024 the 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.
We value our members and want this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. Further, it is not our intention to resort to industrial action, as we are recognizant of the critical service that AIA Inc. provides. However, the management at AIA has left us no choice. To this end, management has two weeks from Monday, March 25th, 2024, to make those payments to workers.
