Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU) General Secretary, Alrick Daniel, said the workers, who were attached to the authority’s Information Centre 411, were placed on a performance **sment schedule over an extended period of time, and which, according to
the authority, they failed several times.

“We knew that the authority planned changes in the department. What the union did not know was that the **sment would lead to termination should workers fail to make the grade,” Daniel explained

I guess to the Union "failing several times" means continued employment. It would be funny if not so tragic where incompetence, laziness and efficiency is the hallmark of the majority of Govt and Unionized employees in Antigua.

If the Union is unaware that performance evaluations, if failed results in termination, then the union is run by a bunch of dumb **s. They ought to be emba**ed to put that out there

I doubt that procedure was not followed by APUA in this matter.

As someone who has had to conduct business and at many times met with inefficient non caring rude customer service representatives I am not overly sympathetic.

If you want to keep working, then perform!!!

I am not taking any side on this issue, as I do not know the details. However the Union's objections seems to be based on the fact that the laid down procedure for termination for non performance was not followed. Yes, workers deserve to be fired for repeated poor performance in the same way that they deserve to be rewarded when they excel. But in the interest of fairness it must be done following an agreed process/procedu re and in compliance with the laws.

I think you both mis-read/misund erstood the claim of the union. As a Shop Steward, I can verify that a procedure for handling poor performance is clearly laid out in the collective bargaining agreement. The union's point is that APUA deviated from the CBA by firing the employees without first taking the prerequisite steps.

I can understand your sentiments; however, I wonder why no one ever talks about corporate hand-outs – only hand-outs to workers/poor people. Every day, the government gives out countless concessions to companies, yet, at the first sign of hardship, those recipients of our hard-earned tax dollars close shop and fire the workers.

Yes its people's livelihoods and stake, but that is not reason to keep on staff who repeatedly fail performance reviews. We can't be giving people handouts. If this country is to pull itself up, each and every worker, public or private, must put in a full, quality 8 hours a day. If you cannot do that, then you do not deserve the job. Laziness and inefficiency will never allow us to advance.

It is very odd that as soon as persons are dismissed for poor performance in Antigua and Barbuda, the normal chorus of equity based on their personal obligations is roused. Employees in Antigua and Barbuda, especially in the public sector, need to understand that performance and merit are the touchstones for maintaining work. What I clearly see is that these workers have failed to perform after repeated **sments, but think that poor performance should be rewarded with continued work ad infinitum. Would it not have been more sensible for workers, knowing that they have children to feed and bills to pay, to acquit themselves at work with integrity and diligence instead of believing that they have en eternal refuge in running to politicians, unions, and the media for succour having failed at their roles and faced with the consequences? What were the findings of their repeated **sments? Did they acquit their duties with diligence? Did they value the work that was entrusted to them as part of the contract between employee and employer? I suspect a tribunal of fact will determine objectively whether this is indeed the case.

how it feels to no humans can be so wicked ways is there god these people have young kiids to feed and you do this to them after 5-8 years. the wicked we not make it

Come on guys, people livelihood is at stake here. The process is taking too long for these workers.