More than 100 delegates are expected to gather for the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference.
This year’s conference – taking place this Sunday and Monday – is being held under the theme “Climate Action – the Agenda for Trade Unions Now”.
According to ABWU General Secretary, David Massiah, the theme underscores the urgent need for trade unions to play a more assertive role in shaping climate action.
“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it is an economic, social and ethical one that affects every worker, every community, and every industry,” Massiah said.
The General Secretary also noted that trade unions must work with employers and policy makers to ensure that decent and sustainable jobs are created for workers who may be displaced as countries transition to a green economy.
The event aims to provide a comprehensive review of the union’s achievements and challenges over the past year, setting the stage for strategic priorities and goals for the year ahead. It will feature keynote speeches and discussions focused on integrating climate action into the union’s agenda, demonstrating how labour organisations can play a pivotal role in driving environmental sustainability and green job creation.
The featured speaker is Dr Andre Vincent Henry, Director of the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr Henry has served the region and the international community as a distinguished independent consultant with extensive experience. His expertise is sought by prominent institutions including the InterAmerican Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Organization of American States, the International Labour Organisation, the Caricom Secretariat, and the United Nations Development Programme.
The 2024 conference is not only a year of crucial discussions but also an election year for the union’s Executive Committee. These elections are a key opportunity for delegates to shape the leadership and direction of the union in the coming year.
The ABWU – registered in May 1967 – is presently the largest private sector union in the country, and has affiliations with key regional and international labour organisations.
