Healthcare professionals at Antigua’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre initiated industrial action on Tuesday, highlighting systemic grievances that have persisted for up to seventeen years. The demonstration, organized under the guidance of the People’s Union, centered on two primary issues: outstanding pandemic compensation and unresolved pension arrangements for long-serving staff.
Ralph Potter, President of the People’s Union, confirmed during an on-site interview that employees have exhausted all conventional channels attempting to resolve these matters. According to Potter, hospital management has consistently failed to address concerns that predate the current medical facility’s 2007 opening. The protest culminated in a delegation meeting with administrative officials who committed to elevating these issues to the board of directors.
The financial grievances include non-payment of a promised $1,000 monthly COVID-19 risk allowance for certain frontline workers, with some staff never receiving these pandemic compensation payments. More critically, pension uncertainties affect employees who transferred from the former Holberton Hospital and other government departments during the medical center’s establishment. With several staff approaching retirement age, the absence of clarity regarding their pension status has created significant anxiety.
Additionally, workers expressed dissatisfaction with their designated bargaining agent, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, which they elected over two years ago. Feeling inadequately represented, staff sought intervention from the People’s Union to accelerate resolution of their complaints. Allegations of workplace victimization and preferential treatment within the institution further complicated the dispute.
Hospital management has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations or the protest action at this time.