Port Workers Pursue Voluntary Separation

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Tuesday, 12 June 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Employees of the Antigua Port Authority are looking to re-engage management in discussions to put the voluntary separation package that the Port had proposed in 2010 back on the table.

According to information reaching Caribarena, some port workers have been on something of a “go slow” for some two weeks in contention of unpaid wages and other gripes.

As of Monday afternoon, however, these wages were reportedly paid for some employees while others, particularly those in management, were left unsettled.

The Industrial Relations Officer of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), Ralph Potter, explained that while the section of employees that took industrial action was not represented by his union, a meeting later this week could see similar action coming from his workers a notably larger volume.
It is understood that longshore workers, who are represented by the Antigua Workers Union (ABWU), were on strike.

“We are going to meet later this week to look at a whole range of issues including late payment and stuff like that. Then we will decide how to proceed,” Potter said.

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Regarding the issue of the voluntary separation package, Potter said the union continues to lobby for the package for employees who are desirous of it. He said there are approximately 70 individuals who have applied for the voluntary separation or early retirement programme.

“We believe that at this point there are more people interested in the package. We have said to the Port (Authority) that the process should be reopened so that individuals who are now interested could take advantage of it. That's our position.”

The voluntary separation programme was introduced in late 2010 as part of efforts by the Port to downsize its staff complement due to financial challenges.

Chairman of the Port Authority Greg Walter declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Caribarena.

“I cannot deal with that right now,” he said in a brief response.

Attempts to secure a comment from an ABWU representative were unsuccessful.

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