Victimization has commenced since prison officers took protest action on Monday, October 17, and one officer says she is disappointed with the representation being accorded by the union representing some of her colleagues.
Junior Officer Jones was one of the vocal staff members on the protest line, and she made a guest appearance on Thursday night’s Captain’s Corner programme.
Jones says the victimization began on the day the staff took action.
In spite of paying dues to the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), the prison officer claims the bargaining agent has not stood with the aggrieved staff of His Majesty’s Prison.
Further, says Junior Officer Jones, the non-national prison officers are afraid to take a stand since they believe their livelihood will be threatened.
However, all the workers are disappointed that everyone has failed them, especially the Minister of Public Safety, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, who, they claim, has abandoned them.
If the workers’ claims of being prevented from protesting are true, then such action goes against the country’s Labour Code, notes Harold Lovell, the Political Leader of the United Progressive Party and an attorney by profession.
Officers gathered outside the Prison’s Coronation Road compound on Monday to voice their frustration over the treatment meted out to them by the authorities and their poor working conditions.
Lovell says the ultimate solution to their plight is not necessarily union action, but to “get rid” of the Gaston Browne Administration. Once this is done, then the issues at the institution would be seriously addressed and remedied, he says.
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“Lovell says the ultimate solution to their plight is not necessarily union action, but to “get rid” of the Gaston Browne Administration. Once this is done, then the issues at the institution would be seriously addressed and remedied, he says.”
As far as I know and I have been on this island alllll my 67 years, the prison conditions have been the same ever since Papa to current day.
Mr. Lovell, the conditions were the same under the Baldwin Spencer administration and under the ABLP. Nothing has changed. I am tired of politicians lying to gain points.
Antiguans aren’t blind or stupid and no amount of canvassing will change my mind of who to vote for.
So do you think the situation should remain or be fixed? You seem both blind and stupid. If a lot of Antiguans are like you, heaven helps this country, as we will continue to live under filthy conditions and nothing will change. We get the government we vote for. Remember Labour Party in government for almost nine years. Wotless set of people.
@ Ready to vote
was Lovell ever Prime Minister?
That was Gaston’s mantra in 2014 when he wanted to be PM and Antiguans gave him a chance.
Why shouldnt someone else be granted the opportunity? only Birdites and Gastonites can run dis country?
I am so sad that you are 67 years old and still believe that because things have been one way they shouldn’t change. Useful idiot.
Come to think about it, I have not heard anything from the Antigua Trades & Labour Union (A.T. & L.U.) or the Antigua Barbuda Public Service Association (A.B.P.S.A.) on this matter.
I believe that the A.T. & L.U. is the Bargaining Agent for the Non-Established Workers and from what I have heard the prison officers (at least some of them) are Non-Established Workers and the A.B.P.S.A. would represent any affected Established Prison Officer/Officers.
I wonder if the Prison Officers are not union members so the union/Unions are only collecting NEGOTIATION FEES from these Workers so that is the reason the public have not heard from any union on this matter? If this is not the case the respective union/unions need to get to work.
Congratulations Junior Officer Jones. You have impressed me.
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO PROTEST CAUSE THEY WILL BE VICTIMIZED!!
WHAT IS THIS COMMUNIST ANTIGUA🇦🇬…
SAD!
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