Workers at North Coast Hardware are now benefiting from the provisions of a newly completed Collective Bargaining Agreement between the company and the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU). The agreement marks an important milestone, as it is the first to be concluded since employees voted for unionisation several years ago.

Among the key highlights of the agreement is an overall wage increase of 8% broken down in increments of 3% for 2025, 2.5% for 2026 and 2.5% for 2027. Workers also benefited from an additional 3% increase in 2024 during the negotiating process.

The agreement further provides a meal allowance of $20, three days of paternity leave, and a retirement plan calculated at 75% of severance. The company has also agreed to renew driver’s licences for employees engaged as drivers. In addition, the document establishes a standardized vacation accrual schedule and introduces a compassionate leave provision.

Importantly, the negotiations secured the conversion of all contract employees to permanent staff, strengthening job security across the workforce.

Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Kem Riley, described the negotiations as somewhat protracted but expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

“Securing this first agreement and benefits on behalf of our members was a critical objective for our union. We stayed the course and we are pleased with the outcome,” Riley noted.

The ABWU views the successful conclusion of this agreement as a significant step forward in advancing fair wages, improved benefits, and enhanced job security for workers at North Coast Hardware.