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Government Finalize Rationalization Process for the Port
by A & B Government News
Posted: Oct 7, 2009 20:36 UTC
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ST. JOHN'S, Antigua - At a meeting convened by Port Minister the Hon Trevor Walker on Tuesday 29th September, 2009, the Port Authority and both Unions representing employees governed by a Collective Agreement successfully hammered out measures to address the financial challenges currently being experienced by the Port.
In addition to other fiscal measures, the Port is reported to have proposed a staff rationalization programme, which seeks to provide an initial short term solution to the matter.
As part of its austerity measures, all parties agreed that instead of severing any of its 315 staff members, the Port will implement adjustments at all levels, which will commence with belt-tightening measures to include board expenses, and trickling down to line staff.
Measures to be taken include shorter work weeks in some areas, wage reductions in others, and the reduction in specific allowances. Instead of utilizing the last-in, first out option available to the organization under the labour code, the Port chose to place the last 78 persons employed under the union contracts on a week-on/week-off rotation at 32 hours per week, per employee, which all parties agreed will go into effect on October 15th, 2009 for an initial trial period of 3 months.
These measures are said to represent an approximate 20 percent cost savings to the organization.
Meanwhile, the Port and both Unions (Antigua Trades and Labour Union and the Antigua Workers Union) are to convene a joint meeting with the staff on Monday 5th October 2009, to outline the implementation of the agreement.
The Port has indicated that it will notify all financial institutions with which its staff has monthly obligations, to seek a degree of leniency with respect of late payments, as such payments may be delayed as a result of the Port's delayed salary/wage assignment to the various accounts.
Port's General Manager, Agatha Dublin says that management is committed to making all salary related payments as scheduled or at the earliest possible time thereafter. "Although we are attempting to honour all our financial obligations, the payment of salaries and wages are our priority at this time" she added.
Dublin also indicated that "as a responsible employer, the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority (A&BPA) is pleased to have arrived at a amicable agreement with both Unions, which provided the opportunity for us to rationalize our existing staff compliment, thereby preserving employment during this most difficult period in consideration of the negative social impact the alternative solution could present."
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (A&BWU) represented by Senior Industrial Relations Officer Mr. Clarence Crump and the AT&LU represented by Presiden t Wigely George and Assistant General Secretary Alrick Daniel, along with their respective Shop Stewards expressed satisfaction with the Minister's handling of the matter, and commended his forthrightness during the deliberation.
Meanwhile, Port Minister the Hon. Trevor Walker said he was satisfied with the discussions, and lauded the efforts of all by their demonstration of a level of responsibility where the country is concerned, by putting the nation ahead of self interest.
"We have to ensure that whatever we do is suitable so that all of us can survive" the Minister said. "Other organizations have actually laid-off workers, but I think putting our minds together, we came up with quite a practical solution, he concluded.
Tuesday's meeting was also attended by senior management of the Port Authority and the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. The meeting signaled the climax to a series of negotiations, spanning several months of deliberations all in an effort at arriving at a mutually satisfactory agreement.
Michelle Pratt
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