Bank workers attend two days of a meeting called by their bargaining agent, the Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union
Patrons will be impacted for a third day in a row, as bank workers withdraw their services in protest of the Banking Bill which was passed in the Upper House of Parliament Monday night.
The hundreds of workers who attended the back- to- back meetings with their bargaining agent, the Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (A&BWU), voted unanimously to stay off the job today until “satisfactory” changes are made to the Bill.
The action, the Antigua & Barbuda Bankers’ Association admitted has impacted the ability of its members to provide service to customers.
In a statement issued to the media, yesterday, the association said it hopes the matter will be brought to a speedy resolution to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved.
The Bankers’ Association also advised customers to check with their respective financial institution to determine what services are available to customers.
“Given the severely constrained resources in some areas, customers should expect delays in accessing banking services, and should wherever possible make use of alternative channels and ABM’s where available,” the association said.
The union advised workers yesterday they are to stay off the job and to contact their superiors informing them they will not be working in protest of the Banking Bill.
General Secretary of A&BWU, David Massiah said the decision was taken because the workers were not satisfied with the change which was suggested in the Senate, Monday night.
During the passage of the Bill, Leader of Government Business, Lennox Weston said the issue of severance for the workers will be addressed within a six-week period.
Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin, during a meeting with the ABWU, last Friday, made the same promise.