ATLU president outlines union gains, pledges shift to action on Labour Day

The march followed a prolonged dispute over pension entitlements for monthly workers at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority.

DeNully said an agreement in principle had since been reached with the government, committing to honour APUA workers’ pension obligations.

Beyond industrial action, DeNully outlined a programme of member development, noting the union was providing ten scholarships per semester at the UWI Open Campus for general members and an additional ten scholarships per semester exclusively for shop stewards.

“We are empowering our membership through educational opportunities,” he said. “We are paving the way for upward mobility in the workplace.”

DeNully also confirmed that rehabilitation work had begun on Emancipation House, the union’s historic headquarters at 46 North Street.

“If you go to 46 North Street right now, construction has started,” he said, adding that the building would be restored rather than demolished. “We are going to reinforce the foundation. We are going to keep the historic building. We are not tearing it down.”

Addressing workers directly, DeNully reminded members of their fundamental rights including fair working conditions, equal pay for equal work, freedom of association, and protection against discrimination and forced labour.

He also called on workers to fulfil their own obligations in return. “We are fighting for better wages, we are fighting for better conditions — so when you go to work, what do you do? Work,” he said.

DeNully also flagged ongoing concerns about workplace health and safety, noting that many government workers were operating in what he described as substandard rented buildings.

He said the government had plans to construct a new government complex to address those conditions.

The ATLU represents workers across several public sector entities including APUA, the Antigua Broadcasting Service, the hospital, solid waste operations, and most recently the supervisory unit of West Indies Oil Company.