Tensions flared yesterday at the V C Bird International Airport after the United Taxi Association vowed to protest any attempt to keep a Sun Tours employee as a dispatcher at the new terminal, against a vote to move her.
The female who serves as a dispatcher showed up to work and Trustee of the association, Arthur George said the 100-member strong drivers met with the Antigua & Barbuda Airport Authority yesterday where a majority vote sought to move her from the airport.
The taxi operators complained that the woman has been disrespectful, disruptive and vindictive in dispensing fares.
“The airport authority rejected the vote and they went ahead and allow her to come and work [yesterday], so we are showing our disapproval by not taking the work, because she is the one distributing the work,” George told OBSERVER media.
Yesterday, the taxi drivers confronted other drivers, who were picking up passengers from the airport although they were not licensed to operate there.
“What the airport authority has sanctioned is wrong. We are paying to operate at the airport and the taxis they are bringing in are not paying to operate here and we are hurt as taxi drivers,” George said, adding, they are not prepared to work with the young woman under any circumstances.
The drivers said that they have been complaining about the Sun Tours employee for years and they are now prepared to block any outside taxis. The association also said they are prepared for the consequences.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)
