APUA to Cut Staff The state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) is planning to cut staff by 15 percent as part of a number of measures in response to the current economic conditions.

The plans have been brought to the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), which represents some of the employees, as a counter proposal to the union’s pitch for a 28 percent increase over the life of a new collective bargaining agreement.

Further, the company has told the union that it plans to freeze all wages, salaries, and allowances over the next three years.

As part of its plans, APUA wants staff who continue to abuse uncertified sick leave to be severed. Further, the company said only emergency overtime will be approved, and instead of paying overtime, the equivalent time off will be granted.

The AT&LU has however taken issue with the company for raising such issues during the negotiating process, and has made its feelings known to APUA General Manager Esworth Martin.

“May I remind you that the collective agreement is a contract, which set forth the rights, responsibility and benefits of workers,” a June 30 letter to Martin from General Secretary Alrick Daniel said. "Meanwhile, the negotiation process is used to negotiate these benefits. Clearly, discussion on the listed measures to alleviate APUA’s fiscal imbalance are not appropriate for this process."

Daniel has further taken umbrage with the company for apparently arriving at its decisions without consulting the union, calling its actions high-handed and disrespectful.

In a separate letter the day before, the union said it was aware that APUA informed employees in the brokerage department and the sales department of PCS that their services would no longer be required.

In this June 29 letter, the union said it is yet to be officially informed about this decision.

“Further the Antigua Trades and Labour Union hereby puts Antigua Public Utilities Authority on notice that any measure to be implemented, which violates the Collective Agreement, will be met with legal action,” the union warned.

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written by Sh**ly G, July 09, 2010

Why when the Upp Advocates are faced with any questions concerning they own accusations of others, you never get an answer, they just go quiet,until they hear Lester's name then they rise again with a different topic, Phensic, i asked you some questions,which you first made comments on, i am awaiting my answers.

Phensic
written by Sh**ly G, July 08, 2010

What drugs are you on?because Phensic is off the market,you must be on something, care to take a stroll up to the APUA head office? i will bet you my last dollar,that you will see more new Employee's over the last 5 yrs than the last ten yrs leading up to 2004.you all never cease to amaze me,how long have the market been there? Who is it serving? Was APUA crying Bankruptcy from the Market Construction? How long post ALP did it take for them to reach to this crisis?Not forgetting that the rates for Electricity are almost tripled,is that the fault of the ALP also? who purchased the lovely structure on Independence drive for 13mill,then rip it's guts out,under whose watch is APC owed 35million, is it ALP, just go take the dam scale off your eyes,then come back and speak some sense.

@Phensic,
written by hawke, July 08, 2010

You're helping to show the mis-management on the upp's behalf. Before east people there were west people or rather point people, before them it was otto's people, yes Apua provided security for government loans, You know why ? they were making money in those days. This government came along and in a very short time everything came tumbling down. They came into office claiming that apua was over staff and continued to overburnden it. So tell me who is worst?

the cure all
written by PHenisc , July 08, 2010

Where were all of u who are now blaming the UPP gov't when APUA was being used as the free for all. When all east ppl had to was say they wanted a job and wether one was there or not somthing had to be created for them. where were the loud cries of mismangement when the vegetable market was being built. Wait too much cheese was in your mouths. I wonder if when you guys get your wish for a change of gov't and ALP goes back to doing the same old sh*T that they use to do if this site will be packed up with all these comments. wait no all u sleeping bears will just go back into hibernation

@ bloomingg
written by another apua worker, July 08, 2010

You sound like an AS-H--E!!!!!!!!!!!!

APUA Cuts - About Time!
written by Anon, July 08, 2010

I agree that staff cuts are long overdue at all including management but whether the Government has the will or frankly the guts to do it is another thing all together. Time and time again we've heard pronouncements on what this government is going to do with nothing done. A prime example of this is deregulation of the telecoms market. The only people who are dragging their feet in this matter are APUA and discussions have been ongoing for years with no end in sight. From this it's easy to conclude that for whatever reason, government don't have any control of a government statutory body which is an absurd situation.
Talk is cheap, let's see if the government finally take some action.

RE-BLOOMINGG
written by APUA WORKER, July 07, 2010

Are you placing the blame for APUA'S failure at the feet of it's employee's? APUA is 37 yrs old, have been through rough times and good times,and have never,i repeat never found itself in this position it is now in, so do you think that your statement is a fair one to most of it's Employee's who have built that institution, some of us receiving not too healthy Salaries. I think you should be bold enough to place the blame where it should be, at the feet of The Govt,because not even we the workers know what is going on in APUA,except what we hear in gossiping just like you, that is the definition of Transparency& Accountability in Antigua under the UPP, anyone can search for my IP ADDRESS to find out who i am,because frankly i could not care less.

Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave, When At First We Practice to Deceive
written by Sun Flower, July 07, 2010

The nerve of APUA's Management! Who or what gives them the authority to want to put persons on the breadline? In today's REAL world, CEOs and top management resign when the business entrusted to them is failing. Not so in APUA! The opposite holds true. Staff is always the one that gets the blame. Management continually drops the ball with the countless blunters and the numerous non-sensical judgements calls. Instead of them being CUT, they are instead rewarded with raises and continued renewal of contracts ,while the company continues to fail under their watch.

APUA needs urgently, NEW MANAGEMENT BLOOD!

Privatize
written by Bloomingg, July 07, 2010

APUA is the first to be privatized by this government. The company needs a clean sweep. It should be locked down and then they must start all over again with fresh workers and people who know what they are about.

Poorly managed
written by Dig It, July 07, 2010

I do believe that APUA should cut it work force. However, I don't believe in cutting someone's pay or benefits. I also believe the management of APUA should be fired for waiting this long to take the neccessary actions, and for allowing the state-owned company to default on $30 million. This is incompetency on all levels. Hopefully, the "Sunshine" government don't privatize APUA in the near future.

Leadership
written by Proud ANU Queen, July 07, 2010

True leadership starts at the top; the Prime Minister and all members of parliament should take an immediate 15% pay cut and pay for their utilities. They enjoy other perks such as housing, travel sand entertainment, at the expense of taxpayers, so they will still have a comfortable life. The average Joe Blow will not, if he has to join the already long bread line.

As an additional comment, I wish that these government agencies would invest in customer service training for staff; it could go a long way. Some of them treat people with much disrespect. Compare customer service in the private and public sectors, and you will see the difference. Private entities know that customers are their #1 a*set, so they cater to them.

every thing them touch,mash up.
written by Sh**ly G, July 07, 2010

Why dont APUA have money?after been the sole provided of Elec/ water, at rates that is extortionate, they are now dead broke, and who will suffer,The POOR MAN AGAIN AND AGAIN, The same poor man who gets his light cut as soon as he sneeze too hard,worker or worker not. I say something is seriously wrong in Antigua,and it is about time that we the ordinary man/woman find out what it is and make steps to change it, the rich man and the t***fing Govt will not help us.

A.P.U.A
written by John Doe, July 07, 2010

@ Disgust. It is a rumor that it is for sale. After all that was done, people figured that out and more towers are yet to come from what i have heard. My opinion is, management is the problem. Maybe they don't see it or their interests are elsewhere. If you are cutting, start from the top. Not just the managers but from the board that governs them. Without the boards approval, they are helpless and can do nothing. A.P.U.A needs a new board and better management. That is just my opinion. This is what i see looking on from where i am.

@John Doe
written by Disgust., July 07, 2010

@ John Doe The 17 new cell sites that was constructed in november 2009 is to up the value of PCS for a good market price...... wasnt for the interest of customers. The Lond House Bldng that PCS is situated is a monthly rent of $25000.00 and 1% marker share. need I say more. Management is a disaster.

A.P.U.A
written by John Doe, July 07, 2010

There are so many services that they can provide. Any service that LIME,DIGICELL, Karib Cable and CTV can offer, A.P.U.a can do. They have the equipment. It is there, but someone needs to stop this runaway train before it crashes. The company needs to have vision and not be controlled by a board which has its own agenda and have shares in other companies that is crippling A.P.U.A.

A.P.U.A
written by John Doe, July 07, 2010

@ Disgusted. I do agree that there have been gross mis management of moneys. One of the things i din't agree with is the new cell site towers. Those were done for the company to have a better foot print on the island. To be as good as or better than the other providers. As to date, it is said that the coverage is as good as if not better than LIME. Yet all this work was done to the network and yet the company fails to tell anyone. Even the staff. Rumors have it that it is going to be sold. In terms of GPRS, that is a waist of money. In this day and age everyone is looking for better. Everyone is going 3G not GPRS. Why spend millions on something that is not worth it. Why try beating a dead horse. The company can make money but in my opinion it is misguided and needs a good shock to get it on the right path.

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written by Beef, July 07, 2010

Workers better realize that their benefits and themselves are under attack. I guess it is the workers who have HUNDREDS (as reported) of persons getting free utilities? I guess it was the workers who bought a white elephant to maintain a town presence?

APUA's Management should be fired
written by Malia Williams, July 07, 2010

You are going to cut staff but yet you are flying in Destra for your Power Rumble concert next week and paying her close to EC 50,000 to perform for one night only. She will only be in Antigua for 36 hours byt yet the APUA Financial Controller will give her a cheque for EC$50,000. Now can anyone defend APUA management with these decision. I say heads should roll.

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written by The chickens have come home to roost, July 07, 2010

I hope that APUA will be fair in its severing, the Unions should be on the alert because the Company has inflated its wage bill over the last 4-5yrs,with unproductive,unnecessary workers and non needed professionals who collect hugh Salaries as Management, these should be the ones to go first, lets see if the policy of Last in First out will be applied in this case, I am beginning to wonder if the form in question to be filled out was not to facilitate this, i do not like to see ugly,but plenty of them is deserving of what they are getting from this Govt, they voted for it and some are still defending it.

APUA overstaffed
written by John Doe, July 07, 2010

I do agree with the statement where it is said that thee Company is over staffed. In more detail, not all departments are overstaffed. There are are 4 departments, Electricity, Water, Telephones and PCS. From what is said Electricity is grossly overstaffed where as other departments are short of members. Liberalization is among us and this Authority needs to do more. The company is capable of doing it but when politics comes into play they shall not reach any further. It is just like a stick in the mud. A.P.U.A needs to shape up and get with the program.

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written by Disgust., July 07, 2010

Mismanagement of monies is so blantant. what happen to the millions spent on GPRS, Bencorp Bldng, New Cell Tours, Security firm, tiles, furniture, carpeting etc. And of course the $17500.US to one overseas artist for Power Rumble dont have any returns. Its is not the poor staff its the management. Management need to go.

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written by james, July 07, 2010

I fail to see why APUA have is not profitable. I agree something must be done but, at this present time, I think putting more prople on the bread line must be an absolute last resort. Have they looked at reducing wastage?

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written by Hey!, July 07, 2010

@ Joe joe.. I agree staff should be cut and the areas identified are also sensible but will the Union allow this?

joejoe
written by tenman, July 07, 2010

joejoe Well said

APUA is overstaffed
written by joe joe, July 07, 2010

APUA and most of the Statutory Authorities are over staffed so there needs to be cuts. Also the management should reduce their salaries too. There needs to be a reduction in managers also because less staff would mean less people to manage. Maybe when workers in these Authorities see that they do not have a job for life they will improve the service that they offer us the public who are paying their salaries.