Union boss wants matters resolved

When the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) finally meets with the new Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan, high on its agenda will be to have trade union recognition rights enshrined in law.

General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Senator Toni Moore, made the comments yesterday afternoon as she delivered remarks during the opening ceremony of the BWU’s 77th Annual Delegates’ Conference at Solidarity House, before an audience that included Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and several members of her Cabinet.

Senator Moore made it clear that they would be impress on the Labour Minister the need for Government to move that trade unions be properly recognised, as she listed a number of companies which she lamented have continued to challenge the established industrial relations practice in this country.

She made the point as she referred to an ongoing matter with Cost-U-Less, contending that after reaching no resolution on the matter, they intend to “leave it squarely” with Minister Jordan.

“BWU isn’t interested in wasting time or playing games down the food chain,” she said.

She stated that in that meeting the BWU will also talk openly about “antiunion hostility” which is still being displayed by some companies in this country.

She explained that in at least one instance, efforts to get recognition for workers have been frustrated by the company’s refusal to respond to their call for recognition.

Moreover, she said they will bring to his attention instances where companies are not engaging in equal pay for equal work. She made the point as she highlighted a security organisation which she charged has been allowed over the last three years, to pay one set of workers – stewards – $4 an hour less, simply because of their job title, but she said they were doing the same work as their counterparts who are dubbed security officers.

“This has been allowed under the eye or the skirting of a Ministry of Labour for the last three to five years. Prime Minister, we are hopeful that ministerial change will at least see also a change to issues like these that have far reaching implications not only for the respective workers, but for workers generally,” she said.
(JRT)