Staff at the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Services (ABS) are awaiting a meeting with the Attorney General and Minister for Labour, Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin, concerning what they say are major issues affecting them.
Staff at the state-run radio and television entity have engaged in industrial action on numerous occasions to press for outstanding overtime pay, or to protest against poor working conditions and a general manager with whom are disenchanted because of her alleged attitude toward subordinates.
Yesterday, shop steward Kerrio Adams told OBSERVER media that staff were elated over the payment of overtime monies due to some of the workers.
However, he said the issue of poor working conditions and the promise of the ABS building being inspected – with a view to having it sanitized and possibly renovated – have not materialized.
Furthermore, Adams stated, many of the recommendations outlined in the report compiled by Information Minister Melford Nicholas and the Labour Department remain unresolved.
Staff continue to work based on assurances that these issues will addressed and recommendations implemented.
When OBSERVER media asked whether staff would revert to another round of industrial action, Adams would only say that the union will decide that.
In March, Nicholas told reporters that the framework for the renovation project will be presented to the staff within a month.