By Latrishka Thomas
Two former employees of Tropical Adventures took to the streets yesterday in an attempt to get the attention of the company’s owners who they say owe them severance payments.
Colin Palmer and Trevor Nathaniel were employed by the tour company in different capacities for almost two decades.
The former workers, who were both laid off in March 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, stated that although they have found alternative sources of income, they need the outstanding monies due to them.
“I have been hustling; I am doing painting for myself right now so I’m self-employed. It’s doing fairly well, but really and truly, I’m looking forward to getting my money,” Nathaniel, a former supervisor at Island Safari who worked for the company for 18 years, said.
Palmer, who spent 19 years with the company as a mechanic and assistant supervisor, stated that the last two years have been difficult for him.
“It’s kinda hard. I’m a mobile mechanic and it’s not too regular sometimes, but I really need my money because I’ve worked here for 19 years.
“We don’t expect to be treated like this because we did our share of the work,” he lamented.
The two disgruntled men displayed placards outside the lower Redcliffe Street tour company, along with President of the Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade Union, Samuel James.
James said that his union is standing firmly with the workers for the monies they deserve.
“We are representing the two employees here who are lawfully entitled to their severance pay from since March 2021. We are now approaching March 2023 and still not a penny.
“We are saying the company is still in operation, they are making money and they have a lawful duty to pay the employees their severance,” James told Observer.
“We are satisfied that the company is not serious and they are pussyfooting on this whole matter. We are asking the principals of the company … to do the lawful thing, pay the employees their money and pay the employees their money now,” he added.
James also put the management of Tropical Adventures on notice that the former employees are expected to be paid with interest.
“And, just as a word of caution, we want to let them know that we also expect them to pay the 10 percent statutory interest rate from 2021 until now,” he added.
The union representative further stated that the two men intend to protest until their voices are heard and “if necessary, we will advance the matter to the Industrial Court”.
Attempts to reach the manager of Tropical Adventures for a response proved futile.
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