The Public Service Union has given the Argyle International Airport until April 12 to settle retroactive increments to its staff or face industrial action.
“If the outstanding payments are not settled by April 12, 2024 the PSU will initiate industrial action against the AIA on a Monday or Wednesday on a date of our choosing. This action will continue until this grievously outstanding matter is settled,” the union said in a press release on Tuesday.
“We value our members and want this matter to be resolved as soon as possible,” the union said.
“Further, it is not our intention to resort to industrial action, as we are recognizant of the critical service that AIA Inc. provides. However, the management at AIA has left us no choice. To this end, management has two weeks from Monday, March 25th, 2024, to make those payments to workers.”
The union that that it met on Friday with aggrieved workers at the AIA regarding the outstanding retroactive component of the increment for 2019.
It said that the increment, which amounted to 1.5%, was paid in January 2023 and therefore it was expected that the retroactive component for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 would be paid.
The union said it sent “numerous letters and held numerous meetings” with the management of the AIA for four years, with its first letter dated Oct. 29, 2020.
“The payment of increments is in accordance with the AIA Employee Policy Manual section 6 – Compensation Policies – subsection 6.5- Increments which stated ‘Wage/Salary Increments will be paid to employees’ subject to satisfactory performance under the AIA’s performance review program.’ However, to date, the outstanding retroactive payments have not been settled,” he union said.
It said that during this period the union has compromised and its members have been very patient, “as we tried to maintain a cordial relationship with the organization.
“However, after tirelessly and unsuccessfully trying to get this matter resolved the Union has decided to serve AIA notice that they have until April 12, 2024 to settle the outstanding payments, that is, the retroactive component of the increments.”