Guardsman, BWU heading for run-in

GUARDSMAN (BARBADOS) LIMITED and the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) appear to be headed for an industrial clash.This follows an accusation by the BWU that the security company had initiated a “round of dismissals” that seemed calculated to prevent employees from joining the union and being bargained for collectively.In a Press release, the BWU’s deputy general secretary Robert Morris said the union had written the company on August 16 requesting recognition for a bargaining body to cover stated categories of workers. He added that “before responding” Guardsman started to fire some of its workers.“The executive council deplores this action from a company which has its headquarters in a CARICOM country, as it flouts the Industrial Labour Organisation’s concept of decent work, and is against the Trade Unions Act of Barbados, which protects workers from certain types of actions,” Morris said.He added that the workers who were summarily dismissed were afforded neither due process nor natural justice. He said the BWU had declared a dispute against the company and had called in the Chief Labour Officer. Morris noted the union had requested Guardsman to reinstate the workers.When contacted, Guardsman’s manager Andre McClean said the BWU’s complaint was an “outrageous claim” and added that the company would make no further statement on the matter. (WG)