NUPW changing with the times
THE National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is changing with the times.
In fact, efforts not to be left behind in this technological age have not gone unnoticed by Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan.
He publicly commended the 75-year-old trade union, while addressing the Annual Church Service to mark the beginning of Public Workers’ Week 2019 at Collymore Rock Church of the Nazarene, yesterday.
“I think that it is appropriate that the National Union of Public Workers – recognising that workers are the foundation of the building of a country, of a society, of an economic structure – also recognises that people, especially in a 2019 world, have to interact with technology,” he pointed out.
He therefore described the theme “75 years of Consistent Representation and Growing with Technology”, as “chosen well”.
“It tells me that the Union recognises that times are changing and even though people will remain the most important aspect of any country, and its growth and development, it has to embrace the changes that developing technology brings.”
The Labour Minister encouraged the Union, which has a membership of over 10 000-strong, to keep fighting for the cause of workers, adding, “Do so while you embrace the fact that times are changing, but we do it understanding that people are the most important.”
NUPW President, Akanni McDowall, also acknowledged the relevance of the 75th Anniversary theme, stating: “It challenges us to blend the past and the new and as a challenge also not rest on our laurels, but to be in the forefront of re-educating our membership to meet the demands of an ever-changing working environment field by technological advancement.”
Despite its challenges, he said that NUPW is rich in history and achievement and bound by a legacy of service.
The President also told the congregation, “It is to the credit of the visionary leadership of those who serve as General Secretaries and Presidents or on those various committees – that this union has not only been in the vanguard of worker representation, but has sought to reach out and give back to the membership via numerous initiative.”
“It is my wish that members would participate in upcoming events to celebrate this important milestone in the history of the union. It is my wish that prosperity would be restored to the nation and we would all remember, however small, to make a contribution to nation building,” McDowall further expressed. (TL)