Airport workers warned about strike action
Following reports of a strike action at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport last week, workers at that facility are being warned to think carefully before taking drastic actions to protest grievances.
It’s understood that a major shutdown of the airport last week was caused by restive workers who staged a sickout in protest of unsatisfactory working conditions. But Minister responsible for ports, Kye Rymer described the issues at the airport as “growing pains” as the BVI strives to improve its tourism product and economy.
He urged workers who have issues in the workplace to find effective ways to communicate instead of resorting to drastic measures.
“While persons may have a just cause with respect to a particular issue, we should try to communicate more and to work together – and to work with each other – and let drastic action be truly the last resort,” the minister said at a press conference yesterday.
“These are very critical times for our tourism industry and our economy, and I am simply asking that persons think about this when it comes to how they choose to deal with grievances and disagreements.”
The minister also reminded workers that everyone benefits when the economy does well, adding that the government’s efforts to improve the economy are showing results despite all the challenges being faced.
“The BVI, our tourism industry, our economy, our airport industry, and every person and business who benefits directly or indirectly, stands to benefit from this growth. We are seeing where our efforts to draw in new business and new opportunities are lifting off. We also have to be mindful that other countries and destinations are stepping up their interest and competitiveness in tourism,” Rymer stated.
The issue of restive workers at the airport has caused much concern in the community as persons continue to wonder whether there are major issues there that may affect American Airlines’ interest in the territory.
The airline started direct flights from Miami to the BVI on June 1 and have since increased their service via that route. However, the authorities continue to deny that workers were restive, stating that there was no sickout, even though a number of workers called in sick at the same time the airport’s operations were disrupted.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
IT WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE , AND IT , AIN’T NO BIG THING , WE GOT COUPLE AH SCAPEGOATS TO CARRY THE BLAME , vLIKE CINDY / EXPATS / RANKIN / WALWYN ETC , U KNOW HOW WE ROLL , SO WE ArIGHT
A strike is the only thing that gets management’s attention. That is not the employees’ fault, it says management is not in tune with the issues or not properly communicating their understanding and plans to resolve the issues to the employees.
Y’all think that is bad. Wait until Bviec workers at PWP strike because of working for toddlers money in this heat.
I will agree with our ex deputy premier who is ex for a good reason. Don’t think I have ever agreed with him before. You are so right slow man stogie, strike must be the last resort. Could someone please enlighten the minister whose head is in a dark hold that that was our last resort.
NO CONFIDENCE!
Be Honest and say it as it is
1. Poor working Conditions, have you check Tower Mold situation where the result keep covering pay them you owe
Hire staff stop. Honest sick out.Stop covering to look good.
Check all departments and pay up.Welsa
thing to tell the King.
Tell me how everybody benefits when we can’t see our hand in front our face because the cost of living is so high and the minimum wage is so low, only the ministers ad their families benefits, i so over this, and you can’t run go no place else cause is one set ah ting everywhere you go, ayo putting pressure on people, das why robberies happening and it going just get worst. Busy trying to stop drugs and gun, free up the people cause that ain’t gonna stop, it been here before we born and it going be here when all of us dead and gone.
People need to understand increment would come, thank god we are still getting regular salary and didnt fall off the payroll, because during the pandemic we didnt know if we would have a job.
Some of these workers are the most worthless employees working. They want more money but yet they producing less work and want increase…coming to work late…
government name to crack down on departments where they are coming to work very late or turning off and not returning and still getting full salary.
Next time they sick out. Send them home permanently without a pension. Advertise the positions regionally and bring in as many expats as possible.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. The government will withhold your pay increments if you misbehave.
Sounding a lil dictatorish to me there
You sound like a jack a ss
It mainly expats up there $*unt
The communication was ineffectual, that is why the protestors resort to strike.
Plain and simple.