11 September 2024
For Immediate Release
St. John’s, Antigua – 11 September 2024 – More than 100 delegates are expected to gather on Sunday 15 and Monday 16 September, for the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union 57th Annual Delegates Conference.
This year’s Conference is being held under the theme “Climate Action – The Agenda for Trade Unions Now.”
According the 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 57th Annual Delegates Conference will 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. The event will feature keynote speeches and discussions focused on integrating climate action into the union’s agenda, demonstrating how labour organizations can play a pivotal role in driving environmental sustainability and green job creation.
The featured speaker for this year’s Conference 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.
About the ABWU
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union was organized and registered in May 1967. It is
presently the largest private sector union, and has affiliations with key regional and international labour organizations.
