THE DEBATE ACROSS Barbados today is about the role of the trade union movement as the society grapples with significant change. The challenge facing this critical pillar of society is for it to retain its relevance.
Since the enactment of legislation in 1940 allowing for the establishment of trade unions in Barbados, the labour movement has been unwavering in its commitment to improving the standard of living for working-class people. Many tactics have been employed to achieve these objectives.
Trade unions still operate to secure the collective bargaining rights of their members. But even to the casual observer, their role has changed and defending their position and stance in the workplace has, at times, become a difficult task even in an environment which remains very pro-labour.
This discussion is taking place as the Barbados Workers’ Union and the National Union of Public Workers prepare to change their leadership. Both of these major unions may see an end to historically male-dominated control with women likely to take the reins in both instances. This could also institute a different approach to the style of bargaining and some of those on the sidelines making noises about the ineffectiveness of the unions are aware of this likelihood.
The vocal but small radical element which is pushing for the trade unions and staff associations to ignore their long tradition of a common-sense approach to industrial relations practice, has nothing to either gain or lose in this debate.
It is the trade unions, which are being evaluated by their members as well as the wider society, which must determine their future path.
For many years they placed emphasis on demanding more pay for their members while often overlooking key factors such as raising the level of productivity, promoting greater flexibility and responsiveness in a service-driven economy, and ensuring that workers are equipped for the increasingly knowledge-based economy.
There was clearly little or no regard for whether employers, whether government or the private sector, had the financial resources to meet the pay demands. Many manufacturers point to this as the root cause for the decimation of much of the light industrial sector. Given some of the recent comments about demanding increased wages in a volatile economic environment, it seems as if reality still has not resonated with some labour leaders.
All Barbados needs to understand that social progress, which has been so important over the years, can only be achieved if there is economic growth. It is therefore important that the trade unions respond to the demands of market forces and not radical elements or ill-informed members. We must not support the pursuit of narrow, misguided agendas.
The message is clear to trade unionists and all others. Barbados must be returned to a path of growth.