By Kisean Joseph
Workers at the Royalton Antigua resort continued industrial action yesterday after staging a walkout, citing deteriorating working conditions and systematic mistreatment by management.
The industrial action disrupted operations at the high-end property, with staff demanding immediate improvements to their working environment.
“We’re just tired. We can’t even access necessities like drinking water during our shifts,” said a staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If they catch us drinking the guest water, we face disciplinary action. We sometimes can’t even use the bathroom during our shifts, and when we can, the facilities are not properly maintained.”
The source revealed that workers are prohibited from using service vehicles, to transport essential supplies. Instead, they are required to carry heavy loads on foot from the laundry facility to beachfront locations. “They threaten to suspend or fire us if we’re caught using the buggies,” the staff member explained.
However, the industrial action appears to have yielded partial results as following a meeting with the workers bargaining agent, three managers at the center of workers complaints were reportedly ordered leave the property.
Meanwhile, the workers also raised concerns about their inability to provide adequate service to guests.
“The service charge is minimal, and we often lack basic supplies to serve guests properly,” the source stated. “We’re constantly apologizing to guests for things we don’t have. It’s unfair because guests pay premium rates and deserve good service. The management isn’t facing the backlash – we are because we’re the ones facing the guests.”
Additional issues include poor food quality in the staff canteen and reported mold problems throughout the property. While some administrative areas remain unaffected, the mold issue particularly impacts housekeeping staff, maintenance workers, and guest areas such as the buffet section.
Workers described a culture of distrust from management, with one staff member noting, “They lock up everything like we’re thieves. If you cannot trust us, we cannot work for you.”
When approached for comment, the resort’s management had not responded by press time, the workers indicated they would not return to their duties until their concerns have been adequately addressed.
People should do this more often in addition to fighting for a better pay, stop killing out yourself for companies that still think it’s slavery days having you make them millions while your only making an average of up to 8% of a mill. If management makes 8% then line staff should make 6% and not 3% average. Crazy thing is people still working for 1.5% in some workplaces.