Picket Brings Victory for Former Deluxe Employees

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Business News

Tuesday, 14 August 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - A group of three young women formerly employed at the Deluxe Cinema on High Street have successfully challenged their unlawful separation from the company in a move that General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade Union Stafford Joseph considers a “breakthrough” in labour in Antigua.

The women managed to secure severance payment some eight months after being fired.

Joseph explained that some four individuals, one part time, were served with a letter dated December 30 2011 informing them of the closing of the concession stand they worked at cinema. This closure was to last for 2-4 weeks at the most. But they were never recalled.

In February 2012, Joseph said the former employees sought his intervention; that resulted in an agreement being made with the former employees to pay severance over a period of three months.

“I wrote to the employer in February regarding the matter and the workers at that time had not been recalled. My letter indicated that they should be paid off or transferred. We agreed to a payment plan that the employer signed to and that should have ended in May,” Joseph said.

However not only did the employer fail to live up to his end of the bargain in paying the agreed monthly amounts, but he stopped paying altogether after a short time.

“I had to go as far as to file the matter at the Labour Department for intervention,” Joseph said.

But last Friday the three, along with Joseph, resorted to what could be used as a first resort in future cases like these –  picketing.

They gathered outside the entrance to Deluxe Cinema with placards and chanted for their earned dues. This resulted in an almost immediate meeting between Joseph and the employer and the issuance of a check settling all balances.

“I commend the young ladies because you don't find many workers who stand up for their rights especially after losing a job. They calmly picketed and won in the end. It’s sad they had to go that way but it was the only legal avenue available,” Joseph said.

He added that there are several similar cases like this in Antigua & Barbuda, and encouraged employers to do right by those affected and avoid the embarrassment.

“A lot of labour laws are being breached and we are going to start picketing as much as necessary. We are planning along with our membership to picket wherever and whenever we have to peacefully,” Joseph said.

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