Description

Labour unions in Antigua and Barbuda object to mandatory vaccination for state employees. Two say that will challenge it in court with one of those, the public service union, saying it's seeking an injunction. Separately, another union, the teachers union, gave an ultimatum of industrial action unless the mandate was lifted. But the government is resolved to hire as many temporary workers as need be, to fill positions left by those who choose to stay unvaccinated, and therefore cannot come to work.

What's more, the Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking in Parliament, has attacked the second union that threatened court action, the Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU), as an organisation in need of "new leadership", and he demanded, in a sense, that its executive be removed, though the extent of his labour party's influence over that union is unclear. They are longtime affiliates. 

In this episode, our guests react to the unions' stance, which they say is not much of a surprise, though they disagree on whether it is the right stance. We ask: With Covid-19 causing so many more deaths, more hospitalisation, and so much economic harm, is fighting the vaccine mandate really in the best interest of workers?

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

1. Anderson Carty, a management consultant specializing in business management, industrial relations and human resource management, with almost thirty years of experience. He is from the Gray's-Green and Five Islands area. He says he will run as  an independent candidate in that area at the next general election.
2. Dr. George Brathwaite, Lecturer in the Department of Government, Sociology, Social Work and Psychology at The University of the West Indies, Cavehill. He is a former Consultant Editor at the Caribbean Times.
3. Mr. Oswald Robinson, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union.

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on September 26th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.