by Linda Straker
- Sick out on 13 December causing delays and cancellations of incoming and outbound flights
- ASG is the primary ground handling company at MBIA
- Not confirmed if sick day is form of industrial protest
Several workers at Aviation Services of Grenada Ltd (ASG), the primary ground handling company at Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA), have reported to management that they are unwell today, 13 December, causing delays and cancellations for inbound and outbound flights.
“As far as I am aware, some of the workers have reportedly informed management that they are sick, so what is happening is that workers of ASG at the airport are sick,” said Joseph Mitchell, President of the Bank and General Workers Union (BGWU).
As the ground handling company, ASG provides essential services such as passenger check-in, baggage handling, ramp operations, and cargo services for commercial, cargo, and private flights, ensuring smooth airport operations for major airlines and visitors.
The significant increase in sick leave comes at a time when both the union and the ASG negotiating team are finalising the fringe benefits package for workers, which includes a Christmas bonus.
It is understood that the union and negotiating team had already finalised the package and were only to include the new wording regarding the amount to be paid in profitable and non-profitable years, when the negotiations “hit a wall.” It is not confirmed if the sick day is a form of industrial protest.
“The ASG team is claiming that the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) is not paying bonuses to workers, and as a subsidiary of GAA, the ground handling company is not in a better financial position,” said a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
The “sick out” has led to flight delays and the cancellation of British Airways flight 2158 from St Lucia and Grenada. The flight landed in St Lucia, and it is unclear which agency or institution will be responsible for accommodating passengers until they arrive in Grenada, their destination. The GAA website shows several flights have landed; some are expected to arrive or depart as scheduled, some are en route, while others are delayed, and the BA flight has been officially cancelled.
Calls to ASG went unanswered, while the BGWU President said he will address the matter to the media on Monday, 15 December 2025.
