Gala Awards Function Set For Tomorrow.
LABOUR Day celebrations here this weekend will be one with a difference for at least one trade union on the island – The National Workers Union (NWU).
A major player in the industrial/labour relations climate here over the years, the NWU, headed by its founder and present leader, Tyrone Maynard will focus attention on 27 of its shop stewards in a ceremony Sunday night at the Royal St. Lucian by Rex Resorts.
“The shop stewards will be honoured for their constructive contribution in maintaining a healthy industrial relations climate within their work stations and for valiantly defending economic and social gains achieved by their union on behalf of their members at the various branch levels,” Solace Myers, Deputy President General of the Union said.
This recognition of workers, albeit shop stewards, marks a change of sorts in Labour Day observances in the country.
Saint Lucia over the years has been experiencing a drought in its recognition of workers on Labour Day, an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers worldwide.
The day, which has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest, was once a major day of observance for workers in Saint Lucia.
Surprisingly, an increasing unionized labour force over the years has resulted in less and less observance of workers achievements, triumphs and successes by trade unions.
“All of our shop stewards are important and we want to thank every single one of them for the assistance, help and guidance they have given us, especially over the past three to four years in light of the economic downturn Saint Lucia has been experiencing,” Myers said.
The past two years have seen trade unions having to butt heads with employers, including government, in signing off on collective agreements, arriving at payment plans for monies owed to workers, and flirting with the weapon of industrial action in an effort to get meet workers’ demands
In the midst of it all was the NWU holding negotiations after negotiations with employers, and with the Labour Commissioner in attendance, hoping to find resolutions to problems plaguing the labour movement in the country.
Myers yesterday underscored the influence of shop stewards in that process.
“Their contributions in the realm of negotiations and grievance handling have really been on point in terms of what they were able to bring to the table. They (shop stewards) came to the table as an equal partner in the entire process and they were able to contribute tremendously. And it is through their contributions that we were able to conclude a number of collective agreements,” Myers said.
Several prominent figures in the political, industrial and labour spheres will be attending Sunday night’s gala event.
Former Minister for Labour and Attorney at Law, Dr. Velon John will present the awards to the shop stewards.
A cocktail reception to be followed after the awards presentation will provide an opportunity for those present to meet and discuss with the shop stewards not only their efforts at upholding the principles of fairness and integrity, which enabled them to contribute constructively to the maintenance of a healthy industrial climate at plant level, but also to hear how they have been able to defend the rights of workers without bringing the country to its knees..
Mrs. Margaret Monplaisir, Managing Director of St. Lucia Distillers and Mr. Andrew Quashie, Deputy Labour Commissioner will deliver addresses at the opening ceremony while Mr. Johann Harewood, Assistant Secretary General of the NWU, will deliver the Vote of Thanks.