Board of Education staff who became fathers are expected to benefit from an increase in the number of days allocated for paternity leave.

This was one of the provisions in the Collective Agreement between the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) and the BOE.

The ABWU has been advocating for paternity leave for a very long time.

The latest provision allows ten days for new fathers; among the highest offered in any collective agreement negotiated by the ABWU.

Increases in compassionate leave, vacation leave, uniform allowances, and salaries are among the other benefits.

Carla Farquhar, the Executive Secretary of the BOE, said the negotiations were “amicable”, and it helped “to further streamline the relationship between management and the staff”

She said it also “provides for some level of accountability because the guidelines are clearly denoted in the agreement and so it allows for a better working environment”.

All parties expressed delight at the outcome of the negotiations.

The Collective Agreement covers the period 1 June 2021 – 31 May 2024