The industrial action by monthly-paid workers at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has officially ended. The resolution came after a high-level meeting held yesterday at noon.

Union and Management Meet

Bernard de Nully, President of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), confirmed the meeting to Observer. He met with shop stewards, other union officials, APUA management, and the Minister responsible for Public Utilities, Hon. Melford Nicholas.

During the discussions, Minister Nicholas assured workers that they would receive full pay for the day of the protest. This helped calm tensions and paved the way for negotiations to progress.

Timeline for Demands

The government and APUA management committed to delivering a final decision on the union’s outstanding demands by Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:30 pm.

Following this agreement, the AT&LU instructed all members to return to work immediately. Workers resumed duties promptly, ending the temporary disruption of essential services.

Union Demands

The AT&LU’s formal demands include a 10 percent wage increase covering the 2025–2028 collective bargaining period. The union also seeks immediate fulfillment of outstanding pension payments.

Additionally, the union emphasized urgent repairs to the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) building. Officials cited serious health and safety challenges that require prompt attention.

Safety Concerns at Facilities

The union also highlighted safety concerns at Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants and various other branches. Management agreed to review these issues alongside wage and pension discussions.

Moving Forward

Both the union and management expressed optimism about a constructive outcome. The focus remains on resolving the dispute fairly while maintaining reliable service delivery.

Meanwhile, AT&LU leadership thanked members for their patience and cooperation during the protest. They emphasized that negotiations would continue through proper legal and industrial channels.

Overall, the temporary industrial action concluded peacefully. Workers have returned to their posts, and management is expected to meet the set timeline for final decisions.

The resolution demonstrates the importance of dialogue and collaboration in essential service sectors. Both sides are committed to addressing worker concerns and ensuring safe, effective operations at APUA.