Security workers threaten more strike action

Security is security it can be any where in the world.

September 21 2007
by A. Aisha Caleb-Browne
http://www.antiguasun.com

While airport security staff members returned reluctantly to their posts Wednesday after a short-lived strike, they and other airport personnel may still be prepping for more industrial action.

Wednesday’s action stemmed from a dispute between a female security officer and Chief of Airport Security Peter Abraham, which resulted in the subordinate being relieved of her duties amidst some controversy.

At the intervention of the Antigua Trades & Labour Union President, Wigley George, an apology was issued to the alleged victimised officer, and was reciprocated by the union on behalf of the accuser.

But there are apparent bigger issues at play, placing the officers on edge for sometime. They have silently agitated for an outstanding $135,000 in overtime wages, improved working conditions among other issues.

According to George, the employees have not been paid overtime wages dating back to April of this year and this was the main reason for their go slow. It was also revealed that similar action was to have been taken by the employees who had planned to disrupt the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 if they were not paid.

Their threat netted a portion of the payment.

Since then, no more monies have been forthcoming and the workers have expressed that they are fast running out of patience. George said, “Though I recognise the responsibility of the staff, especially security staff, to have the airport up and running, one cannot ignore the conditions under which they work. They have been ignored so many times and are treated like second class workers. The union wants to change this.”

Following the resumption of work Wednesday, a meeting was held between union representatives, members of the works committee, Aerodrome Superintendent Leon Smith, Chief of Airport Security Peter Abraham, Airport Operations Manager Edward Gilkes, and Neil Barnes, member of the Antigua Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) board.

It was only at this time that a discovery was made of inefficiencies at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, whereby documentation for the payment of overtime had been prepared months ago, but was held up by one of the departments within the said ministry, George told the SUN.

As a result, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Elaine Carter, who later attended the meeting in an attempt to avert a crisis, assured the union and the workers that matters would be dealt with immediately. “That was guaranteed to be paid out on or before Friday of next week. So it is now a wait and see situation at the airport in relation to what the workers may or may not do,” George said.

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