‘Adopt an approach of compromise’

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Parent Category: Jan 2012

Category: Week end Jan 14th, 2012

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 15:39

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Following is the full text of a statement issued by three private sector groupings on the island under their umbrella body, the Grenada Private Sector Organisation (GPSO) in light of the impasse between the Grenada Breweries Ltd (GBL) and the Technical & Allied Workers Union (TAWU).

The Grenada Private Sector Organisation (GPSO) which comprises the Grenada Employers Federation, the Grenada Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association met with officials of the Grenada Breweries Limited (GBL) on Friday, 30th December 2011 at which the facts concerning the current impasse with the Grenada Technical & Allied Workers Union(TAWU) were presented.

The GPSO wishes to state the following:

(1). The Grenada Breweries Limited (GBL) has the legitimate right to conduct its business and should be allowed to do so without disruption to its operations.

(2). GBL has confirmed in writing to TAWU and the Labour Commissioner that no employee has been dismissed and that they remain employees of GBL.

(3). As of 30th December, 2011 employees received salaries for the period worked prior to the commencement of their illegal strike action.

(4). It is unfortunate that the 48 hour window established by the Union at the December 16, 2011 meeting with the Minister of Labour and the Company as the deadline for announcing its decision of returning employees to work, (marking an end of strike action) was not honoured, therefore creating an escalation of the impasse.

(5). Under normal circumstances the GBL plant would accommodate approximately   120-130 employees within their operation/production line, which during their busiest period (pre-Christmas to New Year) has now been reduced to a 15-20 employee operation comprising mainly managerial staff.

(6). It is therefore not unreasonable or illegal under Sec 66.1 of the Labour Code, for GBL to await a “quieter period” to address the approach required for their workers phased return to work.  We remind all, that such a phased approach would need to be supervised and managed by the same managerial staff who have and continue to work tirelessly to keep the company operational.

(7). The GPSO is also deeply concerned about this impasse and the dire consequences for the GBL employees and their families, the 661 Grenadian shareholders, most of whom are small, the trade partners, including small shop operators and bars, and the Grenada economy at large.

(8). Grenada is reeling from the effects of the global financial crisis which has worsened in the last few months and businesses are seriously feeling the effects of this. At the best of times, neither the country nor the business community can afford to have a full sympathy or full blown strike in these harsh economic times. This action would only exacerbate our national plight.

(9). We wish to remind all Parties that Section 41 (1) of the Labour Relations Act  states, “Where certification is granted pursuant to section 36, a trade union, employer or employers’ organisation shall not fail or refuse to bargain collectively in good faith and to make every reasonable effort to conclude a collective agreement”.

We therefore again call upon all stakeholders, particularly the executive of TAWU and the management of GBL, to take a serious long-term view and adopt an approach of compromise to the resolution of this dispute.

The GPSO is prepared to assist in any way possible. 

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