ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Public Employees Union (PWU) has accused the administration of the state-owned Grenada Postal Company (GPC) of participating in union-busting ways in addition to violating sections of the Labour Relations Act
PWU president Brian Grimms informed reporters that though the employees of the GPC have been represented by his union since late 2022, administration, at a gathering with employees on December 27, demanded that staff signal a six-month contract to ensure their jobs as of January 2024.
All staff on the GPC have a customized contract, which expires on December 31.
“Some startling issues have been stated to our membership by the administration of the postal company at that assembly. They said to employees in an intimidating trend that if they don’t signal the six-month contract, which has no will increase, they, in precept, have forfeited their jobs,” Grimms stated.
“We see this in no unsure as union busting on the highest degree as a result of they don’t seem to be participating with the union on a brand new contract, and they’re making an attempt to intimidate the employees by saying they (the administration) can do higher,” he added.
Grimms referred to part 11 of the Grenada Structure, which says, “Besides together with his consent, no individual shall be hindered within the enjoyment of his freedom of meeting and affiliation, that’s to say, his proper to assemble freely and affiliate with different individuals and particularly to kind or belong to commerce unions or different associations for the safety of his pursuits.”
Grimms stated that the GPC’s motion violates staff’ constitutional rights.
He additionally referred to part 40 of the Labour Relations Act, which states, “The place a commerce union has been licensed because the unique bargaining agent for a bargaining unit, that commerce union shall present a full and correct illustration of the pursuits of all workers within the bargaining unit regarding their rights below the collective settlement.”
Grimms stated that part 41 of the Act permits negotiations to happen in “good religion.”
He stated the GPC is claiming {that a} human useful resource audit, scheduled to be accomplished by December 31, is much from a conclusion. Because of this, the administration’s choice to proceed using the employees is on personalised contracts.
“However the staff are represented by a union, and all we’re asking for is a rise to the prevailing wage till the findings and proposals of the audit are applied. They’re saying six months, however earlier than you recognize it, it’s a yr,” he stated.
The one staff affected by a change in wage or wages are these at present receiving lower than the brand new minimal wage, which matches into impact on January 1 subsequent yr.
The federal government lately authorized that the minimal wage for a employee in Grenada might be EC$60 (One EC greenback=US$0.37 cents) every day or EC$1200 per thirty days.
There are staff on the GPC at present receiving EC$720 per thirty days. The GPC falls below the supervision of the Ministry of Public Utilities, which is one in all Prime Minister Dickon Mitch’s portfolios.
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