Press Release

ABWU to Host 59th Annual Delegates Conference

Published On: Sep 09, 2026

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) will host its 59th Annual Delegates Conference on September 20 & 21 under the theme “Celebrating 59 years of Stewardship: Embracing the Changes and Preparing for the Future World of Work.”

The two-day conference will bring together delegates and observers from the Union’s 10 sections, including Banks, Hospitality and Transport, to assess the organisation’s progress over the past year, and determine its priorities for the period ahead.

This year’s theme comes as workers and trade unions navigate significant shifts in the workplace, driven by technology, automation, artificial intelligence, changing employment practices and evolving skills requirements.

ABWU General Secretary, David Massiah, said the theme reflects the need for the Union to remain forward-looking while ensuring that workers are equipped to meet emerging challenges.

“The world of work is changing rapidly, and as a trade union we cannot afford to simply react to those changes. We must understand them, prepare our members for them and ensure that workers have a meaningful voice in shaping the future.”

A significant feature of this year’s conference will be the election of a new Executive body, which will assume responsibility for guiding the Union’s affairs and advancing its mandate. 

“Our Union is strongest when our members are engaged. I encourage delegates and members to bring their ideas, perspectives and energy to the process.” Massiah said. “The decisions made at this conference should reflect the aspirations of our membership and help us build a union that is responsive, relevant and ready for the future.”

The 59th Annual Delegates Conference will provide an important opportunity for the ABWU to set a clear course for the future and strengthen its capacity to represent workers in a rapidly evolving world of work.

The Conference will also set the stage for the ABWU’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

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