(February 17, 2009) - On Monday February 16, 2009, representatives from The Ministry of Civil Aviation, The Antigua and Barbuda Trade and Labour Union and The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority met to discuss the status of Airport Security Officers transitioning to the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority amongst other issues.

The Honourable Harold Lovell, Minister with responsibility for Civil Aviation, chaired the meeting.

The meeting included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Sharon Peters, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority Ken Hurst, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Trade and Labour Union, Wrigley George and General Secretary of the Union, Stafford Joseph.

The payment of an honorarium to security officers who are said to have unofficially acted in supervisory roles at the V.C. Bird International Airport, is one of the matters that came up for discussion between the Ministry and the Union.

Both parties agreed to allow the matter to go before the Labour Commission for mediation. The parties also agreed that no Industrial Action will be taken by the security workers, while the issue is before the Commission.

The Labour Commission heard the case this morning.

The meeting also discussed the approval of annual vacation leave to workers and the manner in which security officers would be transferred to the Airport Authority. Both issues have been amicably resolved