Bernard De Nully, President of AT&LU (picture from Social Media)
The Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) has announced the successful conclusion of a negotiation with the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) on behalf of its employees.
This significant agreement was formalized with the signing of a contract on Friday at the Antigua and Barbuda Employer’s Federation office, which outlines the new terms and conditions of employment for line staff represented by the union.
One of the key highlights of this agreement is a ten percent (10%) wage increase for the line staff.
As part of the agreement, employees will immediately benefit from retroactive pay linked to this wage raise, along with the implementation of the updated pay rates.
In a press statement, the AT&LU noted that earlier this year, in the first quarter of 2023, the line staff had received a six percent (6%) wage increase retroactively covering the period from 2019 to 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AT&LU was able to secure notable increases during the negotiations.
The newly established ten percent (10%) wage increase applies to the period from 2022 to 2024, marking a crucial improvement in the remuneration for employees of the CMC.
This agreement not only enhances the financial wellbeing of the workers but also reflects the ongoing commitment of the AT&LU to advocate for fair and equitable treatment within the workforce.
This is a major win for workers, especially in an economic climate where inflation is eroding purchasing power. The AT&LU’s ability to secure not just retroactive pay but a 10% wage increase shows the real impact of persistent, principled union advocacy. It’s encouraging to see negotiations that actually value the contributions of frontline staff, not just in words, but in wages.
This agreement is a win for industrial relations, but it also signals that wage negotiations in statutory bodies must be more systematic. Why did it take years of delay and pandemic setbacks to get here? We need labour policies that guarantee timely reviews and cost of living adjustments.
How will this wage increase impact the purchasing power of the employees and, by extension, contribute to the local economy?
come on it’s the government against the government …who do you think is going to win?
CMC staff must be very happy for especially with the rising cost of living
Wver wonder why CMC look so unkempt? I understand they sell raw meat there but they need to better organize the place.
Great. So the workers and look alittle more tidy