Clarevue staff promised payment by Friday, but vow to stay off the job until safety and equipment concerns are addressed

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In spite of promises that they will be paid by Friday, May 6, workers attached to the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital are refusing to go back to work.

A source tells REAL News that – within an hour of their protest outside the Ministry of Health on Wednesday morning – Joan Peters, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association (ABPSA), received a hand-delivered letter written by the Permanent Secretary.

The source says that Government has promised to pay the workers $300,000 to cover their overtime payments and COVID-19 remuneration.

But while this is welcome news, the source says that employees are refusing to budge until some of their other grievances are addressed.

These include lights around the perimeter of the psychiatric hospital, because the fence is broken and the premises can be dangerously dark at night.  Accordingly, the staff are concerned for their safety.

They are also demanding cleaning supplies and working washing machines.  Reportedly, there is only one machine functioning at this time, forcing workers to do laundry multiple times each day.

Their other grievances can be dealt with at a later time, the staff say, but these demands must be met before they return to work,.

Today, Wednesday, was the second consecutive day of the Clarevue employees’ industrial action.

Carrying placards and chanting, the more than 50 workers made their way to the Ministry of Health’s headquarters on lower High and Long Streets.  They demanded to be paid monies owed and protested deplorable and unsatisfactory working conditions.

In an interview this morning, Peters told REAL News that the workers are tired of continued promises with no meaningful action by the Government to address their concerns.

Peters referred to negotiations between the two parties as still being at square one. – REAL NEWS-

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Well $300,00 is a start … YOU SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN FIND THE MAGIC MONEY TREE WHEN ELECTION TIME NEAR?!

    Again, to all workers in Antigua, you’ll never have a BETTER chance of getting any outstanding money owed or backpay that is due to you.

    STRIKE WHILST THE IRON IS HOT, BECAUSE WHEN THE ELECTION IS OVER, MONEY TREE GONE AGAIN – GOOD LUCK ONE AND ALL!!!

    • @Brixtonian…no one! Not anyone not even the #workers, of Clairvue who had to resort, to industrial actions of the last resort(strikes and walking off the job) to get what is legally theirs. Dem hard earn money, cause, dem werk dey, no easy).
      I’m quite sure, that since, 2016 to present negotiations have being ongoing with the workers union reps and the government.(Peas innah de sane #Wild tamarind pod, a rob poor Neargah). Therefore, why now that election is in the air, everyone is running around like a disturbed #Fire-Ans nest(crass and hot wid venom to rass).

      A..the workers allowed this to fester for too long.
      B…the Government – Ministry of Finance and Health Services didn’t give a rats ass, as a matter of fact, didn’t the Gaston Browne administration in Parliament requested or discussed salary increases for themselves?

      Too and enough blame to go around, and the $300,000.00 promise will not solve neither…
      A…PPP – Piss Poor Planning
      B…PPM – Piss Poor Management

      after election, Back to the same old #phuckery!

  2. Yes let dem treat demself. Promotion, position and pay is for all …not just a few
    #mentalppl #mentalpoliticians

  3. I wonder where are the usual comments from SMH and Tenman. The best prime minister/finance minister in the world keep robbing Peter to pay Paul. How many salaries have the ministers of government missed? How come is always working people bearing the brunt of these wicked people.?

  4. They are talking about $75mil for hospital and $75mil for university and yet the government has owed civil servants and black contractors for years. They find money to do everything else except to pay black Antiguans their money. This government does not respect or care anything about Antiguans.
    People, continue to demonstrate and picket for your money as election coming. Then even if you get your money, still vote them out, because they show you the kind of people they are.

  5. WHATTT SIR LESTER BIRD MOUNT ST.JOHN’S MEDICAL CENTER LOOKS LIKE ARWE GO HAFFU GO NEXT FU GET ARWE MONEY TOO.
    WE NEED OUR CUT…OF THE 40MILLION FOR THE HOUSE
    OR GIVE US SOME A THAT WAYY YOU GIVE MASICKA

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