Union warns of possible picket as dispute escalates
ABWU General Secretary David Massiah
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is condemning what it describes as the “shockingly cruel” and “wholly unacceptable” dismissal of six employees from Jumby Bay Resort (JBR), after the workers reportedly ended their shifts early due to illness.
According to the union, the terminations followed internal hearings during which ABWU repeatedly urged the resort’s management to apply fairness, good judgement, and basic human decency—warnings the union says were flatly ignored.
In a sharply worded statement, the ABWU said the resort’s decision to impose “the harshest and most punitive outcome possible” reflects an alarming disregard for worker dignity.
“Employees must not be treated as objects of contempt,” the union wrote. “As a company known for luxury service and high standards, it is troubling that JBR failed to uphold even the most fundamental principles of fairness.”
ABWU General Secretary David Massiah said the union is prepared to take public action if necessary.
“This type of callous handling of workers’ lives has no place in the modern labour market,” Massiah stated. “We will meet with the affected workers and, if necessary, stage a picket to publicly condemn the actions of the company.”
The union says it stands in full solidarity with the terminated employees and is prepared to pursue all available avenues, including taking the matter before the Industrial Court.
The ABWU is calling on Jumby Bay Resort’s management to immediately reverse the dismissals, reinstate the workers, and allow “good sense and reasonableness” to prevail.
I hate piece up piece up story
…the workers reportedly ended their shifts early due to illness…
dis yah sound like ABWU ah try fu start up problem again. Is this all part of the panel discussion that was held by the political arm of the UPP?
Are we going to see another boycott by the UPP on budget day?
How come now Gassy Dread Browne say he ah go sue, narry a word about the latest on the Alpha Nero that Real News Concoted and published.
Aryou MUST STOP LIE!!! If you stand on the principle of truth, reaffirm your stance by challenging on the basis of your integrity.
Jacqui Quinn nah hab nutt’n fuh say?
If you speak from a truthful position you will defend that position
Chaku ah one lawyer, he nah hab nutt’n fu say?
Gisele nah hab nutt’n fuh say? NO, instead, all of ah sudden she pon social media ah glorify she dead brother, who was a known male whore, Jigaloo, and a batty.
Not even a batty like Knight wants to speak on the Real News issue.
I challenge all of you to openly speak about the Alfa Nero, to challenge Gaston Browne, take him to task.
Harold Lovell, your letter is being written, I am certain yours will be more profound, profound to match your stupidity.
YOU THINK THE idiotic white man Luca, can help aryou
Who is next in line, for a Gassy Dread trademark lawsuit?
Six people losing their jobs just so? That’s heartbreaking, especially right before Christmas.
This is exactly why workers in this country need stronger protections. Nobody should be fired for being sick. JBR drop the ball big time.
ABWU talking strong, but will they follow through? Workers need results, not press releases.
If this is how those six were treated, I can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes.
JBR is supposed to be one of the top resorts in the Caribbean. How can you promote ‘excellence’ but treat your employees so poorly?
The union’s response shows how seriously they view the dismissals, and it raises real questions about whether proper procedures were followed.
They will call in workers on days off for little things like they don’t have family and things to do, we act like white ppl are more important than blacks for a few dollars in their country no one pays them no attention, and according to where you from, they hold sides against Antiguans because they want their ppl only to work, to many foreigners running these hotels they don’t care about our country.
Tourism is our bread and butter, but workers are the backbone. If they’re not treated well, the whole industry suffers.
What happen to the liat severance mr massiah? Is this a dead issue?
ABWU needs to take this all the way. If employers can do this to six people, imagine what else they feel entitled to do