STRIKE OVER

THE strike which crippled two of the island’s main ports of entry yesterday is over.

 

It took approximately six hours of talks at Government Headquarters yesterday for an agreement to be reached between the Barbados Water Authority and the Barbados Workers’ Union bringing the impasse on increments owed to BWA staff since 2006 which the Union estimates to be over $30 million, to an end.

 

The strike action started last week with the BWA staff being called off the job, and escalated yesterday with the closure of the Grantley Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown Port, affecting flights, cargo and cruise vessels in the process.

 

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour Senator Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo and was attended by Minister of Agriculture Dr. David Estwick as well as top officials of the BWU and the BWA. Just around 7:30 p.m. General Secretary Toni Moore announced that an agreement was reached and the Union’s constituents would be satisfied with the outcome.

 

“Increments will be honoured as the Union had requested and as was agreed with the parties previously. We have made some concession as we indicated too that we understood would be necessary some time ago,” she explained.

 

She said the details of the final agreement as it relates to timing of disbursements would have to be worked out and formalised in correspondence, which she expects to receive after the Easter weekend following discussions with Minister of Finance, Christopher Sinckler. 

 

Furthermore, the workers of the BWA are assured that there would be no recriminations nor victimisation and stated that all workers should resume work immediately as their schedules would demand. 

 

The general secretary also used the opportunity to thank the Barbados Port Inc and other divisions who joined with the Union in solidarity with the BWA. “Particularly because they are convinced that injury to one is injury to all.” Moore also thanked the Minister of Labour and Minister of Agriculture for their efforts.

 

Minster of Labour Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, while addressing the media after the meeting, said she always knew an agreement could be reached but that it would be difficult. As such the Minister worked with the Minister of Agriculture and the BWA and was able to put a proposal on the table which formed the basis of the negotiation.

She maintained that the main issue was the break down in communication and the disresepct interpreted by the BWU. The consensus was a victory for trade unionism and illustrates the need to keep dialogue open.

 

The BWU will be meeting with BWA staff on Tuesday morning at their headquarters in the Pine where specifics on the agreement would be shared. (JH)