GCG ‘blindsided’ by sudden airport work stoppage

Ground services company GCG said it was caught off guard by the November 27 one-hour work stoppage by its staff at Grantley Adams International Airport during what it described as ongoing and productive negotiations with the Barbados Workers’ Union.

In a statement issued ahead of talks to finalise the pay package on Tuesday, the company said: “GCG Ground Services always seeks to ensure that our customers and staff take priority in our operations. We are committed to delivering services that consistently exceed our customers’ expectations, while ensuring that our employees are treated well at every level of the organisation.”

The statement continued: “The company was therefore taken by surprise by the sudden industrial action yesterday morning when some GCG Ground Handling staff members staged a one-hour work stoppage, despite current ongoing negotiations with the Barbados Workers’ Union. We have been working together to craft a Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) that is acceptable to all parties concerned, and negotiations had in no way broken down. We look forward to meeting on Tuesday, December 2 to finalise the agreement.”

A member company of Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL), GCG said employee welfare remained of paramount importance and called for the support of its team as the airport enters a busy period. “The role we play is important to Barbados as we welcome visitors and give them an efficient experience from the moment they land,” the statement said.

The stoppage coincided with the airport’s busiest day of the year so far, known as “Fat Thursday”, when around 8 000 passengers passed through.

Barbados Workers’ Union Deputy General Secretary Dwaine Paul said the work stoppage was triggered by “a breakdown in terms of responses to negotiation matters”, which led the morning shift to withdraw their labour. (SZB)