VIDEO STORY | Unresolved LIAT Severance Payments May Head to Court

Published

A long-running dispute stemming from the collapse of LIAT (1974) Ltd during the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a new phase, as the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) signals it is preparing legal action over unpaid severance—despite former employees having now received a second compassionate payment from the state.

VIDEO STORY | Unresolved LIAT Severance Payments May Head to Court
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Senator David Massiah, General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Worker’s Union

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/01/11/video-story-unresolved-liat-severance-payments-may-head-to-court. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

Step 1

Add Antigua.news to your Home Screen

✕ antigua.news ⋯ Open in Safari Copy link Share…

First, open this page in Safari

You are reading inside another app (Instagram, Facebook…). Tap ⋯ at the top right and choose Open in Safari (or Open in browser).

No such option? Copy the link, open Safari and paste it in the address bar.

⚙️ Settings General › Software Update

Update your iPhone first

Alerts need iOS 16.4 or newer. Open Settings → General → Software Update and install the update. You can still add the icon now: tap Next.

‹ antigua.news ⋯

Tap the ⋯ button

It is at the bottom right of Safari, next to the address bar. Don't see the bar? Scroll up a little.

Share Add Bookmark New Tab Find on Page

Tap Share

It is the first option of the menu, with a square-and-arrow icon.

antigua.news ‹ › ▢ ⧉

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow pointing up, in the middle of the bar at the bottom (on iPad: at the top right).

antigua.news

Tap the Share button

The square with an arrow, at the right of the address bar at the top. (Firefox: tap ☰ at the bottom, then Share.)

Copy Add to Reading List Add to Home Screen

Tap Add to Home Screen

Scroll down the list to find it (icon: a square with a +). Not there? Tap Edit Actions or View More at the bottom.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news Open as Web App

Keep Open as Web App on, then tap Add

The switch must be green — without it, alerts can't work. Then tap Add at the top right.

Cancel Add to Home Screen Add Antigua.news An icon will be added to your Home Screen so you can quickly access this website.

Tap Add

At the top right. If you see an Open as Web App switch, leave it on (green).

Antigua.news

Close the browser and open Antigua.news from its new icon

Go to your Home Screen: the Antigua.news icon is there now (swipe left if you don't see it). Alerts only work when you open us from this icon.

“Antigua.news” Would Like to Send You Notifications Notifications may include alerts, sounds and icon badges. Don’t Allow Allow

Tap 🔔 Turn on alerts, then Allow

In the app you will see a red box asking to turn on alerts: choose your sections, tap the button, then tap Allow. That's it — breaking news will reach you even with the phone locked.

Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (10)

  • Juju Bee January 11, 2026, 8:33 PM

    Give me a damn break. Is Massiah getting paid to prolong the matter? The government is NOT responsible for severance
    Reply
  • Janillia January 11, 2026, 8:50 PM

    Compassionate payments are appreciated, but they don’t replace what workers are legally owed. Severance is not a favour it’s an entitlement
    Reply
  • Tromos January 11, 2026, 8:52 PM

    If the government admits the workers deserve help, then why not just settle the severance properly and put this issue to rest?
    Reply
  • SweetS January 11, 2026, 8:55 PM

    But they just gave them some second payment. I myself find massiah taking too long with that
    Reply
  • Glen January 11, 2026, 9:58 PM

    LIAT workers gave decades of service. Two small payments over several years don’t erase the hardship families have faced since the airline collapsed.
    Reply
  • Milenda January 12, 2026, 9:02 AM

    Legal action shouldn’t be necessary, but when dialogue drags on for years, people are left with no choice
    Reply
  • Janillia January 12, 2026, 12:20 PM

    These people may never get their severance and thats a reality we have to face
    Reply
  • JahknowStarrr January 12, 2026, 12:29 PM

    You know what I suspect? Everything in Antigua is politics
    Reply
  • jani January 12, 2026, 12:35 PM

    People need their money they worked hard and it’s not their fault the airline collapsed. Businesses need to have insurance in place for unforseen circumstances.
    Reply
  • Watching@ January 13, 2026, 5:05 PM

    In accordance with the law,severance is not optional, nor up to the government to handout trinkets on the dollar. That stupid, idiotic, lawless suggestion is the product of the biggest scourge in Antigua and Barbuda’ s history, Gaston Brown.
    There is no such thing as ” partial severance. ” The LIAT workers deserve their just due. It’s so pathetic and weak of them to allow the clown to treat them with such disrespect and turn around and support ALP. Only in Antigua. You want to sympathize with them,but stupidity is another thing
    Reply

Submit a comment

More from Video Stories

View section