[ad_1]
(Antigua Observer) After years of stalemate in negotiations, the government has reaffirmed its offer of 32% severance pay to former LIAT employees.
The proposal was originally put forward by the government after the collapse of LIAT in 1974, but was rejected by the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU), which continued to demand full severance pay for unemployed workers.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of LIAT 2020 this week, said the government was prepared to cover up to 32% of severance costs, in line with the country’s stake in the defunct airline.
He stressed that while the government was not legally obliged to compensate workers, it was now taking steps to provide severance packages directly to affected employees, bypassing further negotiations with unions.
“We have wanted to do this for at least three and a half years, but unfortunately we did not receive the cooperation of the Antigua and Barbuda trade unions and now we have decided to communicate directly with the employees.
[ad_2]
Source link
