General Secretary of the ABWU along with Staff of the Spring Gardens Moravian Daycare and Preschool. Photo Credit ABWU

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Staff at the Spring Gardens Moravian Daycare and Preschool now have their rights and benefits formally enshrined in a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Antigua & Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) and the Church that operates the facility.

In addition to standard provisions, the agreement enhances thrift fund benefits for staff, marking another step forward in ensuring that workers are treated fairly.

Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Hazel Luke, emphasized the importance of this agreement and implications for small caregiving institutions.

“Although these negotiations were protracted for various reasons, we felt it was extremely important to finalize it in order to send a clear message to workers in this industry that the principles of decent work apply to everyone,” Luke stated.

She reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to advocating for all workers.

She reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to advocating for all workers.

“We will not leave any worker behind. From the largest establishment to the smallest workplace, we are here to champion workers’ well-being,” she added.

Pastor Hilton Joseph, who represented the school’s management, acknowledged that the negotiations were “long and tedious.” However, he assured staff of the church’s unwavering commitment to their well-being.

“As a church, we must do our best to ensure that those employed by us are properly looked after,” Joseph stated.

He also underscored the importance of having a formal process in place to safeguard staff rights, benefits, and entitlements.

Joseph commended the Union’s patience throughout the negotiations and expressed optimism about continued positive engagements in the future.