ANTIGUA-AT&LU says it will not back down.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – President of the Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) Bernard de Nully Monday backed the action taken by the workers at the state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) who walked off their jobs in support of higher wages and other issues.

“We gave notice since the first of February 2025 that health and safety issues… must be addressed. They haven’t been addressed,” he said, adding, “We are asking for 10 percent. It is reasonable. We are not demanding too much; we will not back down.”

The AT&LU president described the workers’ action as a “protest of dignity against the management of the utility company,” saying that the union’s patience has reached its limit regarding outstanding pensions, a 10 per cent wage increase settlement, and health and safety issues.

“This protest is a protest of dignity, and as you heard, pensions matter, pensions must be paid forthwith. Our final increase is 10 per cent. We have lost too many times over the years. The health and safety issues at APUA are beyond imagination,” he said.

“They’re not being honored, they’re not being paid,” De Nully said, noting that a worker recently died without receiving a pension.

The AT&LU union leader also listed grievances he said that have gone unaddressed for over 90 days, despite formal notice being served on December 1, 2025, and that the union will continue to champion this cause until all demands are met.

The APUA has said it remains committed to “constructive dialogue and a fair resolution of all outstanding matters” through the appropriate legal and industrial relations channels. As the main provider of electricity, water, and telecommunications on the island, it wanted to place on record that it “has continued to engage the AT&LU in good faith on all matters affecting employees.

“Discussions remain ongoing in relation to issues such as the Collective Bargaining Agreement and other longstanding matters. The Authority submitted counter proposals to the union in December 2025 and continues to await a response,” it added.

The APUA said that it “is closely monitoring the situation and has taken steps to maintain the delivery of essential services to the public.

“The Labour Code (1975), under Section K19, recognises the right to strike in Antigua and Barbuda as part of the country’s industrial relations framework. However, this right is subject to specific legal limitations where essential services are concerned,” the APUA said.

It stated that it falls within the category of essential services as defined in the Essential Services Act and that the Authority is responsible for services fundamental to the nation’s health, safety, and well-being.

“Labour relations within these sectors are governed by the Essential Services Act (2008), which establishes the framework for dispute resolution and industrial relations in these critical areas.

“Article 4 of the Act expressly prohibits industrial action by workers employed in services listed within the Essential Services Schedule. Any strike action undertaken within these services would therefore fall outside of the provisions of the law.”

The APUA said that it “remains committed to constructive dialogue and a fair resolution of all outstanding matters through the appropriate legal and industrial relations channels” and “will continue to act in the best interest of its employees, customers, and the nation while ensuring that essential services remain as stable and reliable as possible”.