![culture](https://antiguanewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/culture-696x387.jpeg)
realnewsantigua: The staff at the Department of Culture opted to stage industrial action over their poor working conditions, on Monday morning, September 11.
The action took the form of a sit-in, as the employees refused to enter the lower Nevis Street building due to their health and safety concerns.
General-Secretary of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) Alrick Daniel says the issues affecting the building have been going on for some time now.
He notes that the workers have brought them to management’s attention and some corrective measures were, in fact, taken, including the deep cleaning of the premises some time ago. However, he says the troubling issues have resurfaced – including the reappearance of rodents and other vermin.
Accordingly, the Union official says, the workers no longer feel comfortable working in such an unhealthy environment. Apparently, this location is not the only one being affected by such issues; workers at another site on Redcliffe Street reportedly have fallen ill. As a consequence, Daniel says the union has advised the staff not to return to the job unless their concerns are addressed.
Shop Steward Bernard DeNully says mold and mildew plague both Culture Department offices, and this has been the case for a number of years – despite deep cleaning having been undertaken on several occasions.
He believes the Department will eventually have to vacate its current premises, due to the mounting health and safety concerns.
Meanwhile, Daniel says the workers are also complaining about other issues affecting them, such as outstanding overtime and retroactive pay.
The Department of Culture has about 96 members of staff, operating from at least three locations: the head office on Old Parham Road; the centre on Redcliffe Street that deals with dance and the arts; and the lower Nevis Street location, which deals with pan and art and craft.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
What a disgrace! Tell the pm to do something!
Next level Healthcare!
Vacate the building. The landlord is just collecting rent and not maintaining the building. That seems to be the order to the day.
You really are an ass kisser @From The Sideline. “Vacate the building?” Bitch this is under the portfolio/management of a Cabinet Member and as the report is saying, this is happening in other various locations. Bitch get your head out of Gaston’s ass and see the bullshit(human shit) which you are comity up.
@Sidelines:Who is the Landlord for that Building? There are many buildings in Antigua filled with molds and wood lice.They are leased by the Government.Who are the owners of said buildings? Are they owned by COMRADES?
Relocate them to the ALFA DENERO.THEY WOULD THEN BE WORKING IN LUXURY.LOL
Well are u sarl. De money dat could a min use fu fix are u issues, haffu spend pan by-election all becarz a GREEDY FETE BOY APOSTLE SHUGY SIMON OF THE NAZARENE CHURCH.
POMPOUS
ARROGANT SELF-CENTERED COCKY CHICKEN FEET
FETE BOY
I am sure most of these buildings are leaking, thus the moulds and mildew. There could also be problems with the air conditioning systems. These people don’t maintain the properties and these are old buildings. When was the last time they had new roofs?
Comments are closed.