Ministry of Works Denies Allegations Regarding Unlawful Industrial Action

The Ministry of Works has firmly rejected recent allegations made by Mr. Ralph Potter, President of “The People’s Union,” concerning supposed conflicts over employee representation and workplace issues within the Ministry.

In a statement, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to upholding workers’ rights in alignment with the Labour Code, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and established legal protocols, all while maintaining the efficient delivery of essential government services. The Ministry criticized Potter’s assertions that their actions were “unlawful” and disregarded employee concerns, attributing such claims to an unplanned visit that sparked an unlawful industrial action on August 1, 2025.

Officials clarified that the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) is the officially recognized collective bargaining agent for non-established government employees, including security personnel at the Ministry. They asserted that no formal notification has been received regarding any transition of this role to “The People’s Union” or any other organization.

On July 31, 2025, Mr. Potter had requested an urgent meeting through WhatsApp to discuss issues related to security personnel. In response, Permanent Secretary Mr. Sean Cenac informed him on the morning of August 1 that AT&LU had already engaged with all security personnel and that a structured meeting was planned to address any concerns collaboratively with the recognized bargaining agent.

Despite this, an industrial action occurred outside the Ministry’s headquarters on the same day, based on the mistaken belief that workers were being mistreated. The Ministry insists it is actively pursuing improvements in security services efficiently and fairly, as required by its mandate.

While acknowledging that “The People’s Union” represents a small number of non-established workers—a matter handled through proper channels—the Ministry reiterated that broader issues affecting security personnel are being dealt with via AT&LU, in accordance with legal guidelines.

Following the disruption on August 1, Mr. Cenac met with AT&LU representatives to address the unlawful action and reaffirm the Ministry’s commitment to resolving worker concerns regarding uniforms, supervision, and treatment, all while fulfilling their obligation to maintain efficient operations.

Cenac stated, “We regret the disruption caused by this unlawful action, which appears to stem from incomplete and inaccurate information. The Ministry is committed to fulfilling our legal obligations and is engaged in ongoing discussions with the recognized bargaining agent to address all issues.”

He also invited clarification from the Office of the Honourable Attorney General and the Labour Commissioner concerning any potential expanded role for “The People’s Union,” labeling attempts at unauthorized representation as premature and disruptive to established collaborative processes.

The Ministry of Works urged all parties involved to respect legal protocols and work positively together to support both workers and the public, reaffirming its dedication to transparency in addressing legitimate concerns