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Executive Assistant to the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Sindy Green, addressing members of the media after meeting with the management of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), alongside Dionne Howard, Deputy Director Industrial Relations, BWU.

Strike action at CXC

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has received a failing grade from its staff.

The unionised staffers who stayed off the job since Monday are now officially on strike after the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and CXC’s management were unable to come to an agreement after meeting yesterday.

From as early as 9 a.m. scores of staffers made themselves comfortable in the parking lot of the Pine Plantation Road Headquarters, armed with their chairs, umbrellas and plenty of water, communicating throughout with the BWU’s representatives who secured a meeting with management just before 11 a.m.

“The Barbados Workers’ Union met with the management of CXC and conditions that would form the basis for further discussions were presented, and the management indicated that they could not accede to the conditions presented. So, for now we continue to demonstrate on the outside,” Executive Assistant to the General Secretary of the BWU, Sindy Green told members of the media.

The staff held up their placards which stated their frustration, giving the regional examination body a Grade 9 – “Zero Integrity, Zero Respect and Zero Empathy”.

Earlier this week, a reliable source shared with The Barbados Advocate that CXC staffers were upset about how the current restructuring process is being handled by the organisation.

While waiting to resume talks on Monday, persons were told that their posts will be made redundant effective the end of June. Also, at least two people have seem their posts being advertised among the numerous vacancies published on the Caribbean Examination Council’s website.

CXC released the following statement late yesterday. It stated that “the Management of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of fair business practices to achieve individual and organisational goals. In order to ensure full and open communication on issues brought to the forefront by the Barbados Workers’ Union, the Management of CXC has participated in consultations. Throughout discussions, good industrial relations practices, as well as the rules that govern the organisation, have been adhered to. At this time, Management of CXC has referred matters under discussion to the Chief Labour Officer. During this process, Management is firmly committed to ensuring that the business of the Caribbean Examinations Council will continue without disruption”.
(TL)

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