Secretary Treasurer of the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union Kertiste Augustus said he will be making a case for Dominica at a meeting to decide on the fate of over 100 LIAT workers, which will get underway in Barbados today.
The meeting which will be attended by LIAT Board of Directors and Union representatives from across the region will speak to the company’s plans to close its ticketing offices, a move that will see the 100 workers being sent home.
“Today’s meeting was at the request of the trade unions representing the LIAT staff because we were not able to resolve the decision that was communicated to us about LIAT’s intention to close city offices,” he said.
Augustus said there were reports that there was going to be a phase closure of the offices but documents revealed that there was no phase closure but in fact a total closure at one time.
“We were concerned with that. We were also concerned about the reasons why LIAT said they were going to close their offices,” he added.
Augustus said WAWU will seek to ensure that the jobs of LIAT workers are secure.
“The position is that since we are concerned about the high level of unemployment within the region, we will not just accept redundancy. We will try our best to secure the jobs that are currently available,” he said
There’s nothing that the unions can do. The writing is already on the wall. Liat is ineffecient,
expensive,and an overly pampered political animal.They don’t have a choice. They have to become
more competitive, cut cost and move with the times or other airlines will eat their lunch.
It’s unfortunate that people will lost jobs.These are the sign of the times.
For those who lost their jobs, you can always join me up there in Morne au Diable.You can
take up farming as a career change.