St. John’s Antigua- Antigua & Barbuda Trade Union Congress (TUC) is getting ready to launch its week of activities for Labour Day 2012, under the theme “Uniting the labour movement for the protection of worker’s rights and sustainable development.”

The calendar of events kicks off on Tuesday, May 1, with a launch on Good Morning Antigua & Barbuda on ABS television and a subsequent media blitz in on the various radio stations.

Other activities include a social night/impromptu debate among TUC affiliates, workshop/symposium, a health walk and breakfast and a church service.

It culminates on Labour Day, May 7, with the usual solidarity rally set to begin at 9 am on the TN Kirnon School grounds.

Public Relations Officer Cicely Charles said the trade union is hoping for the full support of all workers and employer organisations in the activities that are aimed at focusing on workers’ rights and issues.

“We hope that persons will show much more support than what has been shown in previous years and that we will come out recognising that it’s about workers getting together and showing solidarity, bringing all the workers issues to the fore,” Charles explained in an interview yesterday.

The PRO also indicated that the TUC would be welcoming the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) into the fold as they continue to move forward.

“We do hope that the Antigua Trades and Labour Union see that we are trying to rebrand the product and that they do come on-board all in an effort to advance the development of the workforce in Antigua & Barbuda,” Charles said.

The AL&LU/TUC relationship is bandied about at this time every year. Both entities are still in discussions and yet to make an official announcement on whether or not they will be collaborating on May 7.

AT&LU General Secretary Alrick Daniel, in an earlier interview with OBSERVER Media, indicated that the union is now willing to consider rejoining the Trade Union Congress (TUC), almost seven years after breaking ranks with the umbrella body.

Daniel, however, said any reunion will likely have to wait until later in the year because the idea would first have to be floated at the union’s annual conference.