Staff members at the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) downed tools on Wednesday, March 30, over what many see as political interference and disadvantage of the workers.
For years, ABS staffers have been trying to access overtime payments owed to them. This has resulted in court action, since the station’s management refuses to accept liability.
In October 2021, shop steward Kerrio Adams reports, the Attorney-General wrote to the Industrial Court, asking that the adjudicating panel recuse itself from hearing the matter, citing favoritism towards workers.
At that time, the matter had been before the court for over a year, and it would have required a new panel to hear the case from scratch.
Adams says that in February this year, after reviewing the request, the Industrial Court returned a decision not to remove the panel, based on the law.
He says that, three weeks ago, the attorneys representing ABS hinted that they were going to take their case to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal; however, the workers paid no mind at that time.
When the case was called before the Industrial Court on Wednesday morning, Adams says they were informed that the matter could not proceed since an appeal had been filed.
The shop steward says the Court took the time to explain what the whole process would mean – in that, if the appeal went in favour of ABS, the case would have to start all over again.
Adams says the case was already in an advanced stage, as the parties sought to reach agreement on what is owed to the staff.
Adams says that this move by the Government – which essentially stalls the case – is very unfair to workers who have been owed overtime since 2014.
Some workers who have been transferred to other departments and ministries are also owed by the media house. — REAL News
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Gaston & Cutie ADVANTAGING the workers!!! Cabinet want pay rise but they refusing to give the workers wages THEY HAVE ALREADY EARNED! How unfair is that?
Stop messing with this case! This is a labour government, a worker’s government. Pay these people what is due to them, every cent, with interest. The huge red majority in this country say so. No stupid games, please. Pay up. Remember, this is a worker’s state.
Universal Karma is at the government’s doorstep.
Where are all those GASTONITES on this matter. Ten-Lice-Man, ERIC “THE DEAD” RED, SIDELINE,CERMLE,SMH,HMMMMMMMM. Those workers have been waiting 8 years to get paid. While those fat, bloated balloons of Cabinet are living very,very,high on the hog.And it shows,hence the Earthquake the other day off Antigua’s Coast.They were all gathered in one place.
GASTON BROWNE DON’T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE
Annie, I’m convinced there must be something wrong with you. You need prayer. Accusations are flying out of your little head like bats on the loose. Please get some serious rest. Some of us are getting worried about you, and some of us are True Blue.
All kinda new nonsense or transitory positions get create last year under health&tourism and people in odder ministry can’t get pay up to now?
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