• Latest
PM Thomas pulls out of GBN political leaders debate

Tillman Thomas questions Government’s support to MBIA

2 weeks ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 11 April

2 hours ago

NAWASA statement on water quality concerns

8 hours ago
Grenada affected by volcanic ash particles and Saharan dust

Grenada affected by volcanic ash particles and Saharan dust

12 hours ago
Ambassador of Grenada presents copies of letters of credence to Kazakhstan

Ambassador of Grenada presents copies of letters of credence to Kazakhstan

14 hours ago
Nurse who swapped Caribbean for a Covid ward

Nurse who swapped Caribbean for a Covid ward

14 hours ago
For Jewish medical students in Grenada, a new home away from home

For Jewish medical students in Grenada, a new home away from home

14 hours ago
Appointment of GEF Executive Director

Appointment of GEF Executive Director

15 hours ago
National Cleanup Begins Friday

Urgent call for water and other supplies for St Vincent

15 hours ago
Government says “no physical altercation” between journalist and junior minister

Grenada actively engaged in preparations to receive evacuees

2 days ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 9 April

2 days ago
US congratulates Grenada on arrival of Covid-19 vaccines from COVAX

US congratulates Grenada on arrival of Covid-19 vaccines from COVAX

2 days ago
Preliminary Results of 2013 General Election

RGPF on high alert for illegal activities within Grenada–St Vincent marine space

2 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Tillman Thomas questions Government’s support to MBIA

25 March 2021
in Business, Education, Politics, Travel/Tourism
3 min. read
Tillman Thomas
Share

by Linda Straker

  • Public officers who are engaging in industrial action over a deferral 4% increase in salary
  • Government to support MBIA with EC$1 million per month for 2021
  • Reduction in Government revenue linked directly to measures enforced to deal with Covid-19

Former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas is questioning the decision by Government to support the operations of the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) with EC$1 million per month for 2021, instead of reaching a settlement with public officers who are engaging in industrial action over a deferral 4% increase in salary.

“The airport is important, but is it a priority at this time having regards for what is happening in the world?” Thomas asked in response to questions about Government’s decision to support the airport so that it can remain operating while experiencing significant reduction in revenue.

“Again, where the priority lies, I think that Government should show some regard to those who are working for the state machinery; those who are working for the state and public workers should be given some regard,” said Thomas as he called for a speedy settlement between the parties.

“Airport management is working feverishly to further cut back on operational costs and the GAA has been engaging staff and other stakeholders to work together to develop strategies to navigate through this unprecedented period. The GAA has also sought out and received assistance from Government, which will amount to one million dollars each month, for the rest of 2021,” said a statement from the Government Information Service, under the headline, “Financial fallout from Covid-19 pandemic pushes Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) to engage in further cost-cutting.” The release said that the crippling effect of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is forcing the GAA to examine more stringent cost-cutting measures to eliminate its monthly deficit of $2.2 million.

“Statistics show that aircraft movement declined by more than 50% between 2019 and 2020. Prior to the pandemic, that figure stood at 12,970 compared to 6,015 in 2020. Similarly, passenger movement declined by 72%, moving from 447,522 persons in 2019 to 126,336 in 2020.” The release from the statutory body confirmed that the drop-off in aircraft movement has led to the nearly complete paralysis of both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues for Grenada’s international airport.

As of early February 2021, public workers especially members of the Grenada Union of Teachers began taking a different form of industrial protest after the Government failed to increase salaries by 4%. That increase was signed too in a 3-year agreement that will last until 2022 before another negotiated period.

The Government in late 2020 informed the unions that it will be unable to pay the increase as signed for in the last 3-year collective agreement because of reducing revenue. The reduction is being linked directly to measures enforced to deal with Covid-19.

“Covid-19 has, without question, significantly disrupted life as we know it and Government has had to bear the brunt of the impact. In the blink of an eye, Government had to take immediate, emergency policy action to provide support to households and businesses, which involved significant unplanned expenditure,” said a statement from Government in January 2021. The government’s wage bill will increase by EC$13.2 million with this 4% increase.”

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: grenada airports authoritygrenada union of teachersgutlinda strakermaurice bishop international airportmbiatillman thomas
Next Post
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 25 March

Comments 3

  1. Jenny t says:
    2 weeks ago

    Tillman Thomas is thinking like an old man. He’s not the future of Grenada. He needs to sit down in a corner. We all understand that people need their increase but like the rest of the world there is a pandemic going on. Have patience and wait.

    Reply
  2. Virender Brar says:
    2 weeks ago

    Right said Fred. This man brought nothing to the country when his party gained power. Does he remember the saying the party had. They asked to be given a chance.Well they were given that chance and they blew it.Surely they are not astute enough to live with reality and know how to make proper and well grounded decision for the benefit of the country as a whole and not themselves

    Reply
  3. . says:
    2 weeks ago

    wow. now grenada deleted my truthful and hurtful comment.

    I will say it again that NDC is nothing more than a political opposition that will talk bs propaganda and brainwash people into agreeing with them. tillman thomas we thank you for your days in office but you did not do a single thing for this country. you never brought development to the country you couldnt pay teachers and most of all had grenada go through one of the worst crisis’ during the 2008/2009 recession.

    talking about funding the airport it is good and the airport needs to keep running. flights are bringing in tourists with money to spend. people can finally come back home to see family and friends and most of all it helps keep our economy going.

    Reply

Comment on story Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.