The Barbados Workers Union on Saturday signalled its intention to take industrial action against G4S Secure Solutions Barbados.
In a media release, the union said it was disappointed “that G4S has shown no commitment to address its violation of the principle of equal pay for equal work by eliminating the pay gap of workers performing the same functions”.
On Friday, officials with the BWU and G4S management held a meeting under the chairmanship of Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan, but no resolution was reached.
“G4S attended the meeting but failed to honour an earlier promise to table a proposal with a view to advancing the wages talks, thereby leaving no doubt that the company has no real interest in settling the dispute. It is the BWU’s position that this situation has reached an untenable level that will not be tolerated,” the release said.
“At the close of the meeting the BWU team, headed by the General Secretary, Toni Moore, notified the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations that the Executive Council will formalise in writing its intention to take industrial action.
“The General Secretary of the BWU expressed the Union’s resolve to continuing its fight against G4S and other companies that seek to undermine the principles and system of industrial relations in Barbados.”
Jordan gave G4S up to 4 p.m. on Thursday to present a plan that would put all security officers on the same wage level, while president of the BWU division, Ormond Mayers, said workers reduced their pay increase demand from 20 to 12.5 per cent. (PR/SAT)
