Union: It’s inadequate and unacceptable

Even though BWIA plans to pay out $3 million of the owed severance benefits to its former workers, the union heads and their members are not satisfied. Head of the ACAWU, Christopher Abraham said the sum is inadequate and unacceptable in the eyes of the union. He said members are complaining that they have only received a very small amount of the money that is owed to them. According to Abraham, the amount of money that each employee is being given is not even a third of what is actually owed and the members are not pleased. “People who are owed sums like $100,000 are getting figures like $2000. This is unacceptable to them and to the union,” said Abraham.

He added that workers feel the payout is just a con to keep them quiet for the time being. “We have yet to receive any statements as to what is owed, the actual figure and also how they came up with the figures distributed in the severance, said Abraham. He said there was no correspondence between the union and the airline concerning the payment. The union has no clue when the next payments will be made or what amount will be paid out. BWIA yesterday announced success during its summer travel period. All 618 former employees were given part of their severance as a result. According to a newspaper report, the airline is hoping that this success will fuel the release of $118 million from the Government to pay out the rest of the severance owed to past employees. Clint Williams, Head of Communications for the airline could not be reached for comment.