TUC Rejects Union's Call for Picket

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Thursday, 26 April 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - The Antigua and Barbuda Trade Union Congress (ABTUC) has rejected the call for support from the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) for Friday’s planned picket outside the Labour Department.

Head of the TUC Kim Burton confirmed that the Congress’ membership took the decision at a meeting on Monday.

The AT&LU’s picket is said to be part of efforts to get the Labour Department to speed up the pace at which it settles workers' issues.

“Why would the TUC take this position?” asked Industrial Relations Officer of the Antigua & Barbuda Free Trade Union (ABFTU) Dave Joseph. “It is my understanding that the matter was discussed at a TUC executive meeting, and it was decided not to support the picket, but to use the different media shows to promote their Labour Day march, to bring attention to the matter."

He pointed out that on Labour Day, year after year, TUC officials would talk about how inefficient the Labour Department is, but still refuse to take action against it.

Caribarena.com spoke with TUC General Secretary Natasha Mussington, who declined to answer questions posed about the subject.

Head of the union Kim Burton confirmed that the Congress’ membership felt that a march was not an “appropriate means” to try and solve the problem.

“They thought there was another method that would bring the same results,” Burton said, adding that a march would create a bit more agitation that is warranted, and the Congress could not support it.

“We took the option not to participate," he said. "We communicated that to the AT&LU. We agreed in principal that there are some problems, and the Labour Department needs to get on their game. We know they are understaffed, but that really shouldn’t be an issue that we have to deal with. We will be looking at it and exercising other options."

He added, “We want to ultimately maintain the relationship with the department. Picketing should be the last line of defense from a collective point of view.”

Further, Burton noted that the Congress is “toying around” with the notion of bringing public discussion to bear, so that everyone becomes sensitized about the role of the Department, as opposed to what it actually delivers. From this, he expects a more collective approach would be formed.

“The strength lies in a unified force," he said. "If everyone were stamping at different speeds and times it wouldn’t break the bridge. We all have to march at the same time. That's probably where we are more likely to get some resolution and solutions in place."

Burton believes the minister and the Labour Department should be given the chance to correct the shortcomings, since the slow response of the public service mechanism is an “understandable” fact.

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