Workers’ Union hits back at Browne for caustic remarks about Port workers and says come clean on EXIM Bank loan situation
Workers’ Union hits back at Browne for caustic remarks about
Port workers and says come clean on EXIM Bank loan situation
Yet again, the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) is
warning Prime Minister Gaston Browne about his condescending
remarks and apparent insults to workers – this time, employees of
the Port Authority and the West Indies Oil Company Limited (WIOC)
– and about their bargaining agent.
On Saturday, July 8, on his affiliated radio station, Browne made
scathing comments about workers from these two businesses. But
he singled out those at the Port whom he considers mere labourers,
alleging that they are being paid large sums of money.
While claiming that he is not threatening them, Browne cautioned
these persons to refrain from any industrial action that could affect
their workplace – or their continued employment could be at risk.
In response, Chester Hughes, the Union’s deputy general-secretary.
chided PM Browne for his comments.
In a statement broadcast on Monday, July 10, Hughes says that
Browne’s attack on the workers was unprovoked and that his
accusations against the Union – that it is making unreasonable
financial demands on the Government and its agencies – is not true.
Hughes also denies Browne’s assertion that the Union wants his
administration to fail.
While Browne told his audience that longshore men at the Port earn
an annual salary of $160,000, Hughes says the claim is patently false
and the prime minister has been mis-led.
Further, Hughes implies that the Chinese EXIM Bank is demanding
that the Port Authority honour its loan obligations – or else.
The Union man is calling on Browne to respond to allegations that
the Government – having been unable to meet its payments – was
served with a demand notice during a recent meeting with the
Bank’s officials.
Meanwhile, addressing the issue of wages, Hughes says the prime
minister needs to understand the principle of “the value of jobs.” He
notes that certain positions existed at the Port even before Browne
became the head of government and they will exist long after the
prime minister demits office.
And according to the deputy general-secretary, it is the watchful
stewardship of the Union that has brought greater benefits to the
workers who perform these high-risk jobs.
Hughes recalls that this is not the first time the prime minister has
gone on record threatening the workers at the Port.
Accordingly, he is calling on Prime Minister Browne to cease and
desist from his unwarranted attacks, since the Port workers – whom
Hughes refers to as “skilled workers” and not labourers – kept the
country afloat during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hughes is further reminding Browne that many of these workers
voted for him in the last General Election, and his suggestion that
they are ignorant, unskilled labourers who earn above their ability is
far from the truth.
Browne is reminded that industrial action is the weapon of last
resort and a fundamental right in the pursuit of justice, and Hughes
says the Union will never be denied that right. If it must be used, he
says, it will.
Finally, Hughes says the threats and attacks the prime minister has
made on the Union have been communicated to an international
agency, so that it can be made aware.
Meanwhile, an offended Port employee tells REAL News that PM
Browne needs to tell the whole truth about salaries and wages. He
alleges that there are persons who are not employees of the
Authority but are “getting money” out of Port funds.
He claims there are some who are actually “building house through
the payroll” and Browne should “talk ‘bout all dat,” as well.
The worker says, sadly, that those who are “using up the money”
should be investigated, because of all the “double-deals and double-
standards” taking place at the Port.
