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[The following articles are posted with the very KIND PERMISSION of The Daily Observer and Antigua Sun newspapers of Antigua.  Neither paper keeps an on-line archives at this time, so we thank them for their gracious cooperation.  The Antigua Sun does post its most current daily edition on-line, and you are encouraged to visit that site for updates.  Both the Antigua Sun and The Daily Observer websites contain very interesting information about the history, culture, economy, and people of Antigua & Barbuda.  The photographs from Antigua on preceding web pages were kindly provided by The Daily Observer.]


1.    The Daily Observer of Monday, August 23, 1999

Fed Ex Workers On Strike

All of the unionised employees of the international delivery company Federal Express at the Long Street location, took industrial action by walking off of the job on Friday.  They were joined by their union representative Chester Hughes, industrial relations officer of the Antigua Workers Union. The workers said that they were protesting because three employees whose names were not identified, took a sick day and those individuals were not compensated for it.

"Three employees get paid on the fortnight and the rest at the end of the month," said Daynor Dowe a Fed Ex employee on strike. "Out of the three, they were not paid for the Monday, and there's no explanation as to why they were not paid."

Dowe said that when the individuals inquired about the matter, they were advised by management to check with company officials in Miami.

Workers who walked off the job included Marva Ireland, Daynor Dowe, a worker whom the employees refer to as Sting and Natasha Adams.

The striking employees are waiting word from the Labour Commissioner,  as to what steps have been taken to resolve the matter.  Dowe says they will continue to strike until the employees have been paid for their sick days.

The Daily Observer sought an explanation from the manager at the Long Street location, however, we were told that she had no comment.




2.    The Daily Observer of Thursday, August 26, 1999

FedEx Quits Antigua, All Workers Fired

Federal Express Antigua Ltd. (FedEx) pulled out of Antigua yesterday after over 12 years of operation.

The courier service's representative, Attorney-at-law Nicholas Fuller of Commodore and Associates, yesterday announced during the afternoon conference with the Labour Commissioner and Antigua Workers Union (AWU) representatives that all employees have been terminated as of Wednesday, August 25, and that they have been served notices that severance packages will be paid them in accordance with local laws within six to eight weeks.

Unionized FedEx employees, after going on strike on Friday, August 20, had protested all this week against the company's refusal to pay sick benefits to three workers.

However, FedEx with its worldwide anti-union policy of neither acknowledging or tolerating trade unions, was forced to either meet with the union or close up shop.

"Once they going to be here, they have to come to the bargaining table," said Chester Hughes, Industrial Relations Officer at AWU.  "So there was no other way out of this  but for them to pull up and leave."

Public Relations Officer at FedEx's Miami office, Jennifer McGowan, refused to comment except to say that an official statement would become available today.

Relations between management and employees have been under strain since five of the company's eleven employees joined the AWU in December 1998. 

Labour Commissioner Austin Josiah is meanwhile expected to release what has been termed "very strong recommendations against the company and it's antiquated union busting tactics" sometime today.

"As far as we are concerned, this behavior is not in line with our industrial relations practice," said Hughes.

"The employees have been wrongfully dismissed and the union is going all out, including suing for damages," he said.  "FedEx has an obligation to the employees and to this country and we will bring their practices to the attention of the Labour Attache of the US Embassy."

Hughes said that lawmakers must see to it that employees are properly covered against "international sharks that come, eat you and leave you" with little recourse.

Meanwhile, customers of the former FedEx Courier service are being advised to check in with Parcel Plus which has taken over FedEx's business.