Talks between the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and LIME have broken down and there is the possibility of a national strike.
After being locked in a meeting this afternoon with Minister of Labour Esther Byer-Suckoo and LIME representatives, including Managing Director Alex McDonald, Sir Roy Trotman, head of the Barbados Workers’ Union is now meeting with the executive council to seek the go ahead for an island wide strike.
Our man on the scene Marlon Madden is reporting that Sir Roy emerged from the meeting tonight and indicated this was the next move.
The minister, in brief comments to the Press, said she was disappointed that the issue was not resolved, but was still optimistic of a resolution.
The issue stems from the dismissal of 97 workers at LIME last week.
The General Secretary had said since Monday at a meeting that if LIME did not return to the bargaining table and rescind the 97 letters it issued to the employees, they would be leading an island-wide strike.
LIME was not present at that meeting.
However, the telecommunications company issued a response yesterday calling the threat of an island-wide shut down “irresponsible”.
In a statement issued yesterday, LIME said they had informed the Labour Minister, by letter on Monday morning that they would not be represented at the meeting and the letter was copied to the BWU. According to LIME, the letter explained that “the company was not in a position to deliver a report on Job Evaluation requested by the Minister and would therefore wish to establish a new date for the meetings to further discuss this matter.”
Developing story
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