While the current economic situation that many countries across the globe are facing has had a significant impact on many businesses in Barbados, I do not believe the action we have seen taken at the beginning of 2023 is all a direct reflection of that reality.
Even though it is easy to see the glaring economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, proportioning blame for every industrial action taken for it is just scratching the surface. A deeper examination of the issues that have led to work stoppages would reveal a multitude of grievances, some of which date back to before the onset of COVID-19. What we are seeing in many instances, quite frankly, is the patience of workers and, by extension, their trade union representatives running thin. This holds true in both the public and private sectors.
We must remember that industrial action is always a last resort, and, speaking for the Barbados Workers’ Union, we have been making every effort to resolve challenges before reaching the stage of withdrawal of labour. While this is true, equally we have been challenging workers to recognise that they are the “Union”. As General Secretary I have been repeating my
observation that too often workers want to see change but are not prepared to stand up for the change they want to see.
The Executive Council has continued to assure workers that where they are prepared to unite around the issues that are of challenge to them and where the Union is able to establish that they have a legitimate cause to feel and demonstrate frustration, and that we will rally around them.
While it may be low-hanging fruit for the media to take a sensational approach to action taken so far this year, we must consider the impact of the pandemic on the workplace. During the pandemic, much attention was focused on issues relating to working-from-home arrangements and how employers treated their staff during the height of the virus. Since many organisations implemented a hybrid approach, many issues about working conditions, like health and safety and HR matters were placed on the back burner.
Additionally, workers who exercised patience and restraint during COVID are witnessing that far too many employers are not seeking to build back better unless they take building back better to mean expecting more without giving back more. What we are seeing may be described as a bottleneck of issues coming to the fore now that normalcy is being restored in the workplace.
We appreciate that pre-pandemic issues still remaining unresolved sounds like a long time, but just like every other aspect of society, coronavirus shifted much of the attention and action to new issues in uncharted waters, while putting old ones on pause. Where employers are taking workers and their patience for granted, this must stop.
There are far too many instances where the solution is too easy but where principle and integrity are being thrown through the window for a cheap win over workers.
The Barbados Workers’ Union has been stepping up its outreach and representation in fighting to find speedy resolutions for our membership. I am proud of the young team of worker fighters and champions on the BWU staff who are up to the challenge. We are seeing our workers grow in confidence that the Executive Council of the BWU stands ready to champion their cause(s) where we see that they are up to fight.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow, the Union makes us strong!
Sir Roy Trotman addresses the workers of the Transport Board Meeting with Management of UCAL and the Barbados Workers’ Union Right, Janelle Farley Industrial Relations Officer and Bridgetown Duty Free members of the Barbados Workers’ Union General Secretary Toni Moore addressing the workers of United Commercial Autoworks Limited Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association CEO Ryan Forde (left) and Director of Industrial Relations Dwaine Pail (right)
Recent Comments