TRADE UNIONS in Barbados have been accused of committing the “unforgivable sin” of giving their members a sense of abandonment as they try to remain apolitical on matters of concern to them.
That’s the view of political scientist Peter Wickham, who was speaking at the BUT’s 42nd annual general conference at Almond Bay Conference Centre on Monday evening. He suggested that trust was critical in the relationship between unions and employers and between unions and their membership.
“Sadly, in many of your efforts to remain politically and socially responsible, you have abandoned your members at a time when they need you most and this to me is an unforgivable sin,” he told the BUT membership.
He said as unions used more political and social conscience, the members felt they no longer defended them in a forceful way. (LK)
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