Industrial action at Cable & Wireless Grenada
by Leroy Noel
Monday, July 12, 2004
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada: Close to 100 workers
at Cable & Wireless Grenada have begun wearing red ribbons to protest against
what they claim are attempts by the new chief executive Ian Blanchard to get
rid of their bargaining agent. The Grenada
Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) who represent the workers says in an
unprecedented move Mr. Blanchard gave a three percent increase to workers on
Wednesday despite salary negotiations are now before the Labour Minister.
In a letter sent to Mr. Ian Blanchard on Thursday, TAWU’S President General
Senator Chester Humphrey indicated, “Your action to surreptitiously make
payments to our members ostensibly out of concern for their welfare is so
blatantly cheap that it reveals the patently union busting gambit that it is”.
He added that the payment was made without the notice or discussions with the
union and while the matter is before the Minister of Labour.
Humphrey warned unlike St. Lucia where Cable
& Wireless has stripped the workers of their Union, it is not likely that it
will be able to duplicate what he termed this sordid achievement here in
Grenada. In a letter delivered to Cable &
Wireless workers, the Chief Executive noted, “As you are aware we have not
reached an agreement with the union and the matter is still before the
Minister.” He added, “My responsibility is to you and the organization and an
essential part of this responsibility is ensuring that you are looked after.”
But TAWU has accused the company of resisting all serious improvements to pay
and benefits now under negotiations. Humphrey
noted that the thought that some dollars dangled in front of its members under
the pretense of concern for their declining standard of living is
transparently hypocritical. Humphrey has also
written to Labour Minister Claris Charles on the issue claiming that the
company has abandoned the principles of good industrial relations and opted
instead to engage in anti-union activities.
The union leader has indicated that his organization shall take the
appropriate measures to respond to all union busting activities.
TAWU has been representing workers in the telecommunication sector since 1958
and has had industrial battles in 1959, 1962, 1967 as well as 1991 and 2000.
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