Supervisory and line staff at Pastry Limited, trading as Epicurean, have secured improved wages and a package of enhanced benefits following the signing of new collective bargaining agreements between the company and the Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union — agreements that will take effect until June 2028.

Wage Increases for Both Categories of Staff

The bargaining agreement covering line staff provides an annual increase of fifty cents on the hourly rate, which will see some workers receiving close to a four percent increase for each year of the agreement. The agreement covering supervisory staff provides an increase of eighty cents on the hourly rate, also translating into an annual increase of close to four percent.

An Honest Assessment from the Workers Union

ABWU President and Senior Industrial Relations Officer Kem Riley described the negotiations as productive and kept his message focused on what the agreement delivers for workers.

"We are pleased to conclude these negotiations which resulted in a fair package of benefits for the workers," Riley said. "Our goal is to ensure that wages and salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living and that added benefits reduce inconveniences and expenses associated with the job."

A Suite of Enhanced Benefits

Beyond the wage increases, both agreements deliver tangible improvements to working conditions. Meal and call-out allowances have been improved under both agreements, and supervisory staff will also benefit from an enhancement to the uniform allowance.

Paternity leave has been expanded from three days to five days, giving new fathers additional time to support and bond with their families — a change that reflects a broader regional shift toward recognising the role fathers play in early family life.

Workers whose shifts end after 9:00 p.m. will now be transported directly to their homes rather than only to the bus station, a practical improvement that addresses the safety and convenience concerns of employees working late-night hours.

A Death-in-Service Provision

Both parties agreed to the introduction of a death-in-service provision, which provides financial assistance in the event of an employee's death while still employed — a significant protection for workers and their families facing the sudden loss of a breadwinner.

The new collective bargaining agreements cover the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

The Epicurean agreements represent the latest in a series of collective bargaining wins secured by the ABWU in recent weeks, following the landmark first-ever agreement at Vernon G. Edwards Limited. Together, they reflect a union actively pressing for improved terms for workers across multiple sectors of Antigua and Barbuda's economy at a time when rising living costs continue to put household budgets under significant pressure.