The 59th Annual Delegates Conference of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU), a two-day gathering that wrapped up on September 21, 2026, has wrapped up its leadership election process, unveiling a fully constituted new Executive Committee to guide the organization into its next operational cycle. Held under the forward-looking theme “Celebrating 59 Years of Stewardship: Embracing the Changes and Preparing for the Future World of Work,” the conference drew nearly 200 delegates and observer members from all sectors of the union’s membership, who gathered to review past achievements, address pressing challenges facing modern workers, and align on strategic priorities for the coming year.
The newly confirmed full Executive Committee includes a slate of core titular leaders alongside representative positions from across the union’s sectional groups. Monique James-Roberts secured the top post as President, with Kem Riley stepping into the role of 1st Vice President, Blair Rose as 2nd Vice President, David Massiah returning to the position of General Secretary, and Antoinette Samuel taking on the role of Treasurer. Three trustees—Fernando Samuel, Eugene Hurst, and Chenise Lewis—were also elected to the committee. Beyond core leadership roles, the body includes one rank-and-file representative from each of the union’s ten sectional branches, covering sectors from aviation, administrative work, banking and insurance, commerce and retail, manufacturing and distribution, hospitality and catering, telecommunications, transportation, utilities to general workers. The President of the ABWU Youth Arm and the Chair of the organization’s Women’s Council will also hold automatic seats on the Executive Committee to ensure inclusive representation of diverse membership groups.
In her first address to delegates after her election confirmation, President James-Roberts laid out her core commitments to the union’s membership. The new leader has already built six years of experience on the ABWU Executive Committee, most recently serving two consecutive terms as 2nd Vice President. Her historic election marks only the second time a woman has held the presidency of the ABWU, a milestone that underscores the union’s ongoing push for greater gender equity in leadership. “With the full support of my fellow Executive Committee members, we are committed to delivering tangible progress toward fairer working conditions and expanded labor protections for every worker across our membership,” James-Roberts stated in her remarks, emphasizing her dedication to serving members with unwavering focus and resolve.
Outgoing and re-elected General Secretary David Massiah offered his official congratulations to James-Roberts on her victory, and reaffirmed the union’s formal commitment to advancing gender parity at all levels of ABWU leadership. Massiah also used the occasion to issue a call to action for the incoming committee, noting that the organization is entering a pivotal moment in its history as it prepares to mark its 60th anniversary in the coming year. “As we approach this major organizational milestone, ABWU must adapt to become more responsive to the rapid shifts reshaping the world of work globally and locally,” Massiah said. “No matter what changes come, we must hold firm to our core mission: protecting the rights and wellbeing of working people must always remain our top priority.”
Over the course of the two-day conference, delegates engaged in collaborative discussions to assess past work, identify emerging challenges facing workers in Antigua and Barbuda, and map the union’s strategic direction for the year ahead, laying a clear foundation for the new Executive Committee to advance its agenda.