International Federation concerned about PM Browne’s comments on Port workers

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To all our sisters and brothers in the ABWU. 

After hearing the outrageous and erroneous comments made by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister  Gaston Browne, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) passes on the solidarity of  nearly half a million dockworkers worldwide and almost 18.5 million transport workers around the  world. 

The ITF stands with you in the face of these insults. Dockworkers are not ‘unskilled’ and  ‘ignorant’ ‘labourers’ but, as was recognised during the pandemic, a highly skilled and key workforce.

A  workforce that selflessly went to work 24/7 throughout the entirety of the global pandemic to ensure  goods, services and cargo was available for import and export, including critical medical and food  supplies to communities locally, regionally, and globally. 

For this dedication, sacrifice, and hard work dockworkers are entitled to fair renumeration. Your work  has created astronomical profits for global employers and governments alike and it is only fair workers reap some of the profits you have accrued. 

The ITF urges the government to apologise for its attacks on your union as this is dangerous and  inflammatory talk that will only succeed in escalating a tense situation.

The ITF recognises the salary of  the dockworker in Antigua and Barbuda is simply a reflection of the value of the difficult and dangerous  job you do.

The ITF urges the government to stop playing politics and negotiate with you in good faith on the  issues of critical importance to both them and the ABWU.

 Instead of delivering threats via the media, the government needs to work hard with you to resolve the outstanding issues via dialogue and  respect.  

However, the ITF supports your right to reject proposals that would attack your standard of living during  a cost-of-living crisis and potentially bring about the systematic destruction of your jobs, rights and  entitlements.

The catastrophic impact of this on the longshore workers, the industry and local  community should be of real concern to the government. 

Therefore, the ITF calls on the government of Antigua and Barbuda to get back to the negotiating  table and show the ABWU the respect they deserve.

Over a very long period your members have  delivered record profits through their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication in an extremely dangerous  industry.

Should the government fail to react positively, the ITF will not hesitate to contact Prime  Minister Gaston Browne and bring this matter to the international level. 

We look forward to seeing your members win the pay award and job security they deserve. Until then, you have our unwavering support and solidarity. 

Solidarity with the ABWU! 

  

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16 COMMENTS

  1. I said as much recently, when I mentioned that our Prime Minister has a total lack of respect for Antiguan workers; and their rights to belong to a Union.

    If Gaston Browne can defeat ANY union and their workforces rights, he can then continue to pay workers WHEN he wants, and IF he wants. Simple!

    Again, can’t the ABLP find a much better and respected leader?

    DOESN’T SEEM SO …

    Dreaming of a better day of leadership for ALL Antiguans – whatever your political persuasions!

  5. Did we ever stop to think for a minute that what is being said might just be the truth even though it might be crude… We just don’t want to hear, and we think everything is offensive because it suits us to say that because our party of choice is not the ruling party… I wonder if the shoe was on the other foot what we would say…

  6. Q: Chester Hughes married?

    A: There could be various reasons why a man remains single until the age of 50 without a wife. One possible reason could be a conscious choice or personal preference. Some individuals may prioritize their career, personal growth, or hobbies over pursuing a committed relationship. They might feel content and fulfilled with their independence and prefer to focus on other aspects of life. It’s important to remember that everyone’s circumstances and choices are unique, and it’s not uncommon for people to lead fulfilling lives without being married.

  7. Who the hell these people are to think they can come and dictate to our Prime Minister what he should and should not do. They don’t know who they are messing with. They have no say here of what happens in Antigua and Barbuda. And if the ABWU think they can use outside trade unions to fight for their political causes they too will find out who Gaston is.
    I confess, I am a union buster. They once used to have a place in the labour market, but not these days. We have strong labour laws that protect workers.
    I keep saying workers that as destructive to their own workplace should go home. You need workers to build up your company and not to tear it down. If you do not like the workplace, leave. You are not forced to work there. Plenty of people want work. The PM better get the military ready to take over from those that want to cause havoc. I will alway remember what Ronald Reagon did to the Air Traffic controllers.
    “On August 3, 1981, during a press conference regarding the PATCO strike, President Reagan stated: “They are in violation of the law and if they do not report for work within 48 hours they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Organization_(1968)#:~:text=On%20August%203%2C%201981%2C%20during,jobs%20and%20will%20be%20terminated.%22

  8. Also the person could be attracted to same sex and I. Antigua same sex marriages are still illegal. Just like this International Union was engaged so the international community will be pushing same sex marriage on us .

  10. Listening to Chester Hughe this morning on Twin Island Media I had to shake my head. These guys are so much political mercenaries for the UPP that they do not even know when they talk nonsense. He claims that the Port workers who work at the Dockside are skilled workers, because they lift heavy barrels. First of all, lifting barrels is not a skill, but secondly, these days no one would even subject themself to heavy lifting as that can damage you for life. There are several pieces of equipment used in warehousing, such as forklifts and trolleys. And the average annual salary they make is $80,000.00. Which is far above any regular salary. One can remember when the PIT was introduced the salaries of up to $3000.00 per month were exempt. It was then argued that about 75% of the working population makes that amount. That would take you to an annual salary of $36000.00.
    These guys make more than double this amount. And that for non-skilled non-educated workers. No wonder people are not motivated to stay in school and get educated, cause non-educated workers make more money than you. What these guys and girls do not understand is that one day they will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Shipping lines are already complaining about the cost at the Antigua and Barbuda Port. If we want to increase the cost, they will just look for an alternative and the entire investment of US$100 million would go to waste. I said it once and I’ll say it once again sometimes you have to make hard decisions. The inmates cannot run the asylum. If that costs you to lose the next election, so be it. Do things for the right reason. When the UPP came to power, they dismissed 90 security workers at the port. No hesitation. No union protested. Some of them are still suffering. If a couple hundred port workers want to bring the main income earner of our country in jeopardy, then we have to make a choice for the good of the rest of us. Mr. PM, I hope you have a backup plan in place. Cause the Union is hell bent on playing hardball with your administration. And that on all fronts. You saw what they did at Jolly Beach, you see what they are doing at LIAT and now they are at the Port preparing to create havoc. Workers are being used as pawns on a chessboard.

  11. Who the hell these people are to think they can come and dictate to our Prime Minister what
    he should and should not do. They don’t know who they are messing with. They have no say here of what happens in Antigua and Barbuda. And if the ABWU think they can use outside trade unions to fight for their political causes they too will find out who Gaston is.
    I confess, I am a union buster. They once used to have a place in the labour market, but not these days. We have strong labour laws that protect workers.
    I keep saying workers that as destructive to their own workplace should go home. You need workers to build up your company and not to tear it down. If you do not like the workplace, leave. You are not forced to work there. Plenty of people want work. The PM better get the military ready to take over from those that want to cause havoc. I will alway remember what Ronald Reagon did to the Air Traffic controllers.
    “On August 3, 1981, during a press conference regarding the PATCO strike, President Reagan stated: “They are in violation of the law and if they do not report for work within 48 hours they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Organization_(1968)#:~:text=On%20August%203%2C%201981%2C%20during,jobs%20and%20will%20be%20terminated.%22

  12. Who the hell these people are to think they can come and dictate to our Prime Minister what he should and should not do. They don’t know who they are messing with. They have no say here of what happens in Antigua and Barbuda. And if the ABWU think they can use outside trade unions to fight for their political causes they too will find out who Gaston is.
    I confess, I am a union buster. They once used to have a place in the labour market, but not these days. We have strong labour laws that protect workers.
    I keep saying workers that as destructive to their own workplace should go home. You need workers to build up your company and not to tear it down. If you do not like the workplace, leave. You are not forced to work there. Plenty of people want work. The PM better get the military ready to take over from those that want to cause havoc. I will always remember what Ronald Reagan did to the Air Traffic controllers.
    “On August 3, 1981, during a press conference regarding the PATCO strike, President Reagan stated: “They are in violation of the law and if they do not report for work within 48 hours they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Organization_(1968)#:~:text=On%20August%203%2C%201981%2C%20during,jobs%20and%20will%20be%20terminated.%22

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