Reckless!

One Cabinet Minister is speaking out against the current industrial action being taken by the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), which has resulted in a slowdown in work at the Grantley Adams International Airport since the weekend.

 

The Minister of Commerce, International Business, Industry and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss is charging that the Union is playing politics with an administrative matter. He was speaking in the Lower House yesterday morning during the pre-lunch session of the debate on the Resolution Congratulating Barbados on the Attainment of the 50th Anniversary of Independence, contended that the ongoing action in support of the Union’s President, Akanni McDowall, who was reverted to his substantive post within the Ministry of Health, is unwarranted.

 

“Barbados cannot move forward in a positive and sustainable manner if we have a reckless labour movement. I am satisfied that workers in this country have the best interest of Barbados at heart. This is our 50th year of Independence and we need all hands on deck, not just to celebrate over the next couple of weeks, but to really ensure that this country can get back to punching above its weight and doing well,” he insisted.

 

Inniss said that the Public Service has acted within the laws of the country regarding the NUPW’s president and, as such, he maintained that the Union’s position and subsequent being action taken is irresponsible. In that vein, he said that the go-slow is not only affecting Barbadians, but visitors looking to enter or leave the country and also has the potential to impact the business community if it continues. He made the point as he maintained that he will not sit back and allow the Union to bring the country to “screeching halt”.

 

“I have constituents who have been asked to revert to their substantive positions and at no occasion did the Union come to their rescue. Don’t tell people because you are president of a union you should be treated so specially,” he maintained. (JRT)