Child-Care Allowance Under Consideration

By Makeida Antonio

The Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) has announced its intention to include a new provision in future collective bargaining agreements, a move that has received the nod of the government

The provision in question is a ‘child-care allowance,’ which the union intends to negotiate with employers.

According to AT&LU President Bernard DeNully and General Secretary Alrick Daniel, it is unfair for workers to be paid overtime only to have to spend their extra earnings on babysitters while they are at work.

Therefore, the union leaders believe that employers should cover part of the cost of childcare so that workers can keep more of their hard-earned money.

The announcement was made during the joint ABLU&AT&LU Labour Day rally on Monday, held at the Bust of VC Bird in St. John’s. Both union leaders emphasized the importance of this proposed change, which they believe would greatly benefit workers and their families.

They also called on workers to remain productive on their work sites and to take advantage of training opportunities offered by their employers.

The AT&LU’s proposed ‘child-care allowance’ is aimed at addressing the financial burden that working parents face when trying to balance their job responsibilities with their childcare needs.

The union leaders have made it clear that they will be pushing hard for this new provision to be included in future collective bargaining agreements. This move is part of the AT&LU’s ongoing efforts to improve working conditions and benefits for its members.