Union only doing it’s job!

JOSEPH Goddard, the former General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), said he is disturbed by some of the negative comments made about the Union following its pay demands to Government.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate yesterday, Goddard, who is also a former Diplomat, insisted that the union is only doing its job in representing its membership. “That’s what the union is there to do,” said Goddard, while noting comments from a number of apologists.

Commenting on the reported 23 per cent pay increase which the union has tendered to Government on behalf of public officers, Goddard said that in such matters, the NUPW has to put its strongest case, and as effectively as it can.

“Also, the Government has a responsibility to put its case similarly in like manner, as well and take it from there,” he told this publication. He also noted that Government has access to its human resources to argue its case, and believed that the other side must also call on its officers to make its case.

However, Goddard said he is somewhat upset about the negative media comments made in respect of the union’s proposals, when all the NUPW has done is to indicate what it would like on behalf of its members. He stated as well that this has usually been the case following recessions, which Barbados went through in 1974, 1981, and 1991.  He even recalled that on one occasion, there was a demand for increases in the order of 80 per cent, a decision that was taken “not by an individual, but by the Council of the Union”.

The former Trade Union boss said he is not aware how the NUPW came up with its proposals. However, he noted that such factors as rising food prices, higher heal care costs, public transportation and the costs of utilities, are issues that usually informed trade unions’ position when seeking pay hikes for members.

According to him, “Food, for example, accounts for up to 40 per cent of people’s  incomes. The other three have been absorbing higher costs. So what do you want the trade unions to do?”

He went on to insist that he is yet to hear “people telling retailers to control their prices (to consumers).”

Goddard tossed up the idea that other issues like job security and appointments could also have been in the mix of the proposals.

Public officers have not had a pay increase since 2009, in view of the economic difficulties the country has experienced. But some people are wondering if Government has the wherewithal to meet the demands.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, while not being drawn into discussions on the pay demand, believes, if allowed, it could cost the Government up to $150 million over the duration of the increase, at a time when government is attempting to control its expenditure. (JB)