{"id":275349,"date":"2026-05-04T12:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=275349"},"modified":"2026-05-04T12:01:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:01:43","slug":"abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/","title":{"rendered":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union has sharply criticized the pace of wage reform, warning on Labour Day that workers are being left to struggle as the cost of living continues to rise.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Union leaders used the rally to reject the current minimum wage increase to $11.50, insisting it falls short of what is needed to sustain families. They renewed calls for a $13.50 livable wage, arguing that workers cannot wait years for meaningful relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Secretary David Messiah said the delay in reaching a higher wage is placing additional pressure on the working class.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are calling for fair wage\u2014 for the public sector. We are calling for better pay within the minimum wage so that people can have and be above the poverty line,\u201d he told the gathering.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Messiah pointed to recommendations from the minimum wage committee, which he said outlined a faster path toward higher wages, but noted that the current timeline pushes the full increase further into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe $13 would not come into play until 2028\u2026 that is further hardship on the working class,\u201d he said.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
David Massiah Genereal Secretary ABWU<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The union also accused the government of failing to act with urgency as everyday expenses climb, warning that many households are already struggling to keep up with rising prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABWU President Kem Riley echoed those concerns, calling for a shift away from minimum wage discussions toward a true livable wage.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery worker deserves a wage that\u2026 provides a life of dignity,\u201d Riley said, as he urged authorities to take action on wages, fuel costs, utilities and taxation.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

He added that economic progress must translate into real improvements for ordinary people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are in a new era where progress must be felt in every home, not just in the reports,\u201d Riley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue of worker hardship was a recurring theme throughout the rally, with speakers highlighting the growing gap between wages and the cost of living. Calls were also made for broader reforms, including improved social protections and stronger labour legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the criticism, union leaders urged workers to remain united and continue advocating for change, stressing that collective action remains key to securing better conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rally concluded with a march through St. John\u2019s, as members carried placards and repeated calls for fair wages and stronger protections for workers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union has sharply criticized the pace of wage reform, warning on Labour Day that workers are being left to struggle as the cost of living continues to rise. Union leaders used the rally to reject the current minimum wage increase to $11.50, insisting it falls short of what is needed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":275334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union has sharply criticized the pace of wage reform, warning on Labour Day that workers are being left to struggle as the cost of living continues to rise. Union leaders used the rally to reject the current minimum wage increase to $11.50, insisting it falls short of what is needed […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1320\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"744\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\"},\"wordCount\":390,\"commentCount\":4,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\",\"name\":\"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now - Antigua News Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg\",\"width\":1320,\"height\":744,\"caption\":\"President ABWU Kem Riley\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"name\":\"Antigua News Room\",\"description\":\"News As It Happens\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Antigua Newsroom\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"width\":1260,\"height\":1260,\"caption\":\"Antigua Newsroom\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now - Antigua News Room","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now","og_description":"The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union has sharply criticized the pace of wage reform, warning on Labour Day that workers are being left to struggle as the cost of living continues to rise. Union leaders used the rally to reject the current minimum wage increase to $11.50, insisting it falls short of what is needed […]","og_url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/","og_site_name":"Antigua News Room","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","article_published_time":"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1320,"height":744,"url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_site":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/"},"author":{"name":"Editor","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5"},"headline":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now","datePublished":"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/"},"wordCount":390,"commentCount":4,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/","name":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now - Antigua News Room","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg","datePublished":"2026-05-04T16:01:41+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-04T16:01:43+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1320\/h:744\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1623.jpg","width":1320,"height":744,"caption":"President ABWU Kem Riley"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/abwu-11-50-not-enough-workers-need-13-50-now\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"ABWU: $11.50 Not Enough \u2014 Workers Need $13.50 Now"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","name":"Antigua News Room","description":"News As It Happens","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization","name":"Antigua Newsroom","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","width":1260,"height":1260,"caption":"Antigua Newsroom"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=275349"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275349\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":275350,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275349\/revisions\/275350"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/275334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=275349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=275349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=275349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}