Ex-Airports Authority security officer sues employer over colleague's slap

An ex-employee of the Airports Authority has sued his former employer over an alleged incident with a colleague in March 2023.

Julio Robinson, an estate constable, alleges the AATT was negligent for failing to provide a safe work environment.

Robinson, who worked as an estate constable, claims he was assaulted by a colleague during his shift on March 28, 2023. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys Isabell Rahim and Nicholas Persad, states the colleague slapped Robinson after a comment about a lost button. 88 He later sought medical attention for neck pain at the Arima hospital and reported the assault to Arouca police.

Following the incident, Robinson engaged the Airports Authority's employee assistance program and was granted sick leave twice. In April, he was summoned to view CCTV footage of the incident, triggering a breakdown. Robinson claims subsequent meetings with HR and his return to work left him feeling targeted and humiliated, exacerbating his anxiety and health issues.

Robinson’s resignation in May 2024 came amid worsening mental health struggles, which he attributes to inadequate support from the Airports Authority. The lawsuit accuses the organisation of negligence, citing failure to address the assault adequately, provide a safe workplace, or mitigate the hostile environment during his recovery.

Robinson seeks damages for personal injury, medical expenses, future treatment costs, and losses linked to the incident.

The case has been assigned to Justice Nadia Kangaloo and is expected to come up in January 2025, when the AATT is expected to file its defence.

Less than a week ago, two investigations were launched after an alleged assault of an immigration officer by an AATT security officer at the Piarco International Airport.