WIOC Staff Stage Sit-in as Negotiations Continue

Published April 9, 2025, 2:44 PM

Company trucks parked at WIOC as employees stage a sit-in (file photo)

The staff at the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) are currently staging a sit-in. As Antigua.news understands it, the sit-in comes after failed negotiations between the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) and the management of WIOC.

Antigua.news spoke with Gregory George’s, General Manager of WIOC, who is currently overseas and confirms that the sit-in is in fact currently taking place. He did disclose, however, that negotiations are ongoing and the matter should resolve shortly.

Mr. Georges, who is on his way back to the island, tells Antigua.news that the union gave the company a deadline to respond to their concerns. These matters were not addressed in a time-frame that was acceptable to the union, which resulted in this action. He is confident that the sit-in should end as soon as WIOC upholds its end of the bargain.

This story was first published by Antigua News on April 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM (Antigua time, UTC−4): antigua.news/2025/04/09/wioc-staff-stage-sit-in-as-negotiations-continue. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (14)

Antigua Surf April 9, 2025, 3:36 PM

Having to take industrial actions to get what you wnat shouldn’t have been. This just shows how the people who wants us to kill ourself for the better of their business don’t care about us. How can you not meet the union demands? WIOC must be a government company. cause they all act the same
Reply
- Rochelle April 9, 2025, 3:41 PM
  
  Antigua Surf. It’s people like you who ruin the reputation of our goverment. why are you so quick to call out the government? your not even sure of what you’re talking about but you’re already saying “WIOC must be a government company.” WIOC are failing thier staffs, the government has no part in this
  Reply
- Rhea April 10, 2025, 6:18 AM
  
  Rochelle, I don’t know if you’re aware that the government do own majority shares in west Indies oil, you know how Antiguans talking, Antigua Surf is basically saying all government companies act the same. for eg. LIAT, that department that got locked out of Ryan building for unpaid rent, healthcare workers being unpaid and owed money, teachers being unpaid and owed money. They ruin their own reputation and full of foolishness.
  Reply
Devorn Carter April 9, 2025, 3:57 PM

I agree. As long as you are not getting your demands take stikes. Cause when you don’t meet theirs you get fired.
Reply
- Unruly One April 9, 2025, 7:33 PM
  
  I approve of this message. To the front of the class Devorn.
  Reply
Namba April 9, 2025, 3:58 PM

But what I find strange is the ABWU’s hostility towards negotiations with government entities. Always a political game.
Reply
- Donna April 9, 2025, 10:14 PM
  
  Namba @ Who was the union that represent the Post Office staff when they had the sit-in? I know that the union was not the ABWU.
  Reply
Stone April 9, 2025, 4:59 PM

That argument, my friend, goes both ways. The present government is always on the case of the abwu
Reply
Anonymous April 9, 2025, 5:53 PM

Everyone is always striking here. ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE MY BUTTHOLE.
Reply
- Luka Johnson April 9, 2025, 6:26 PM
  
  In Atigua there are always some…
  Reply
Love Drama April 9, 2025, 6:47 PM

One of the first things that these wicked pathetic unions push for is a sit-in. I understand that WIOC is still in talks with them. Why the sit-in. Rebels from UPP are running these unions. No wonder they are always about conflict before resolution. I hate it
Reply
Juju Bee April 9, 2025, 9:22 PM

And there u was thinking WIOC staff are the best paid and happiest staff in Antigua
Reply
- Donna April 9, 2025, 10:10 PM
  
  Juju Bee @ staff was well-paid when it was run privately company. Not anymore.
  Reply
food4thought April 10, 2025, 6:24 AM

Rochelle cannot help herself, once you have a phone you can post any foolishness. oh and remember on a recent Antigua.News article she flirted with PM Browne in the comments. But allow me Rochelle to update you on the wife of the man you seems to have a major crush on. Mrs. Maria Vanessa Browne. A Substantive Minister, A Member of Cabinet, I mention again, wife of the Prime Minister and also sits on the Board of West Indies Oil Company. Could that be one of many reasons why her Ministry seems to be in disarray. Spending too much time doing West Indies Oil Company business. While neglecting her Constituents and taxpayers of Antigua. Yet still these people have to be sit ins. Shame on them
Reply

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