PM Gonsalves speaks on LIAT and severance pay for former workers

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has responded to concerns regarding the issue of severance for former employees of LIAT (1974) limited.

This follows issues raised by the St Vincent LIAT Workers Union in a letter published by SEARCHLIGHT in last weekend’s issue where it expressed dismay over the lack of concern, lack of compensation or any official response to the collapse of the airline three years ago.

Speaking over the weekend on WEFM, the Prime Minister noted that since 2020 he has not been contacted by the Union.

Gonsalves recalled a letter being written to him in 2020, and calling the head of the union, Jerry Howard, to explain that the government was unable to do anything until the administrator indicated in a definitive way, “the things which LIAT (1974) limited can and cannot do, and authoritatively for the administrator to sign off on if LIAT were not insolvent, what would be the workers’ entitlement”.

The Prime Minister said he is awaiting a final position from the administrator in relation to all these matters.

He also pointed out that at different times the administrator sent him different numbers, and he needs to know what is the final situation.

Gonsalves noted that he did say the government will give consideration to making whatever reasonable payment it may be able to make ex gratia. He also made it clear that the union in SVG has not written to him about wanting an audience, as far as he is aware, since 2020.

The Prime Minister said the commitment he gave still stands and he is prepared to meet with a delegation of the former LIAT workers any time after Easter. On Thursday he will be heading to St Lucia to discuss regional transportation.

Gonsalves reminded that when the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines had put money inside LIAT and was receiving ‘licks’ from the Opposition, the nominal leadership of the LIAT union in SVG never supported the government in its attempts to keep LIAT in the air. He said the unions in Barbados and Antigua would make statements supporting what the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines was doing for LIAT.

The Prime Minister also recalled that in 2020, when he went to Parliament with $2.7 million in the COVID package supplementary estimate to put into LIAT, it was opposed.

“The commitment I gave to LIAT workers still stands and we could have the discussion,” Gonsalves reassured.

The Prime Minister said right now, governments which did not want anything to do with LIAT are prepared to have a crack at putting money into regional air transportation.

“What I said from the beginning is what is happening. If there is no LIAT you have to invent something called LIAT.”

Gonsalves said from 2001 to 2020 (19 years), St Vincent and the Grenadines was a central cornerstone in LIAT and “we carried for many years LIAT”.

He ended by saying, “We soldiered with this thing and in the midst of COVID I was going to put $2.7 million to help LIAT over a hump, but when the plug was pulled what could I do.” (Caribbean Loop News).