Let's Work Together
As Saint Lucia observes Labor Day (May 1st), a leading trade unionist is calling for more unity and consolidation within the movement.
President General of the National Workers Union, Mr. Tyrone Maynard, says many employers will only respect workers who are unionized.
He said "We can not expect the employers to take care of the employees as such - I am not saying that there are not employers that still have a conscience, but you are dealing with a lot of ruthless people and there are people who are making sure that they make their profits, they get their rewards and that is it. So all in all the trade union movement must be around, the employees must be protected and we have to do all within our powers to make sure that we take care of the employees and whatever we have fought for over the years... we have to make sure we stand firm and protect these benefits."
Mr. Maynard is optimistic that the current state of division and infighting within the trade union movement will soon be a thing of the past.
He says this is necessary if workers are to get the most effective representation possible.
The NWU's President General added that "We have some internal problems from time to time with other trade unions and I think that will work out itself and we should be in a position down the road to at least make sure that whatever internal differences that we have experienced from time to time that should not prevent us from standing firm, standing in unison and make sure that whatever we have to do on behalf of the trade union movement and on behalf of workers we make sure that we get these things done."