The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the National Union of Public Workers are expected to meet again with the Barbados government next week in an effort to resolve issues affecting workers at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA).

The meeting, scheduled for March 11, was announced by Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill following discussions between government officials and union representatives on March 6.

The talks come after a disruption in service at the airport caused by a shortage of staff within the Air Navigation Services department, which resulted in the partial closure of Barbados’ airspace.

According to Gooding-Edghill, the disruption affected inbound and outbound flights for approximately 7.5 hours.

In a statemetn, the minister described the meeting with union representatives as “productive,” noting that several outstanding issues affecting workers in the Air Navigation Services department were discussed.

He said that once airport operations resumed, afternoon flights from the United Kingdom — two each from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic — as well as air-to-sea flights were accommodated.

However, several flights were affected during the disruption. Flights operated by American Airlines were cancelled, while a JetBlue flight from New York City returned to John F. Kennedy International Airport. An Air Canada flight also returned to Canada, while another JetBlue flight from Boston was diverted to San Juan before later arriving in Barbados.

Despite the disruption, one medical evacuation flight was able to depart the island safely.

Meanwhile, the BWU said it regretted the disruption in service at the airport but stressed that the situation did not occur “in a vacuum.”

In a statement, the union said it had been seeking a “meaningful resolution” to several outstanding issues affecting Air Navigation Services workers.

“Despite repeated and responsible efforts to address these issues before they escalated, the necessary traction was not forthcoming. Today’s developments did not occur in a vacuum,” the union said.

“When workers’ grievances go unanswered, frustration deepens and harms. It makes people unwell. Addressing grievances is not bureaucracy; it is the frontline of dignity, safety, and health.”

The BWU said it is looking forward to next week’s meeting with the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and the Ministry of the Public Service, adding that the discussions must produce tangible results.

“This meeting must move beyond assurances and deliver urgent, concrete, and credible action,” the union said.

The union added that it will continue to defend the rights and well-being of the workers it represents, noting that employees have been patient and it is now time for the government to act with urgency and seriousness.