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Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart Breaks His Silence on NUPW BIDC Matter

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Submitted by Douglas

PM SAYS A NEW RESPONSE IS NEEDED TO WHAT HE CALLS “NEW TRADE UNIONISM”

NUPW BLP

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart is questioning the union’s position on escalating industrial industrial action even though the matter has been referred to the courts.[…]

Mr.Stuart has explained that the application before the court is not a regular application.  Mr Stuart says what is more concerning is that the BIDC has made certain reasonable commitments –

These include paying all entitlements if the courts determine the retirement exercise has been wrongful. Also to pay the retirees up until September and suspending the retirement orders. He added that the corporation is also willing to pay the workers up until December if need be. According to the prime minister the union is not allowing for the established processes to be completed. The Prime Minister also hinted that there are certain powers and procedures of parliament available to the government under Section 48 of the constitution. These speak to parliament making laws for peace, order and good governance of Barbados.

Prime Minister Stuart on NUPW strike action

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335 responses to “Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart Breaks His Silence on NUPW BIDC Matter”

  1. Guy Fox Avatar
    Guy Fox

    This man is out of touch with Barbados and Barbadians. Sounds like a raving
    lunatic to me.

  2. harclyde Avatar
    harclyde

    What I have realized about this government is that in a democratic society you are not allowed to loudly opposed any policy or decisions made by them, if you do so you are met with legislation to cripple you ,as an individual or your business. Look at the pharmacist they cried out for money owed to them by government minister Innis put laws in place to deter poor people from using private pharmacy to get free drugs unless you pay a fee to get it. Look at UWI they cried out for money owed to them by government again policy in place no tuition fees being paid for students in essence poor bajans hurt again. Look at the waste haulers they cried out about a tipping fee in the budget they were hard hit again and while on them, Mr PM your government has not practised good industrial relation eitger while negotiations was going on they was no ease of the tipping fee but now u want garbage pick up we now hear an ease in tipping fee, to this date not one NCC case has been heard at the employment rights tribunal after a year it was sent there and we have a very poor court system and u want to send the bidc matter there if you want to compromise MR PM pay them until the case is heard . The time has come for bajans to say enough is enough we have a society where we have more ppl near 60 or over and less young ppl who will replenish NIS when you send them home today is BIDC who will be tomorrow it could be me or it could be you

  3. David Avatar
    David

    There is clear evidence this is a fractious government comprised of a garrulous lot.

    The NUPW has waited over a year for the ERT to meet to decided the fate of NCC workers and they did nothing in the face of heated criticism. The government promised Dennis Clarke a list to review to investigate claims minister Lowe was less than fair in selecting who should be severed from the NCC. His constituency it is known benefited more than most. We can find other examples of the NUPW not forcing accountability. The chickens have come home to roost.

  4. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    He wants to maintain what seems to be a stranglehold on free speech and freedom of expression. He is not interested in rights. He believes in his way. He is wicked.

  5. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    FRUGABE has spoken! Barbadians will you all be threatened again by the utterances of this ruling party? This man is a DICTATOR when cornered. These people are prepared to hold unto power at all costs. So this man who doesn’t inject himself into things has now injected himself with ignorancity. Fellow Barbadians will you take this lying down or have you them your behind as well?

  6. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Correction “Have you given them your behind as well?

  7. Micah Avatar
    Micah

    Freundel’s quoting of Section 48 of the Constitution with regards to Parliament being able to pass laws to maintain order etc came over as more than a veiled threat. Also, what was up with the repeated “wine in wineskins” metaphor? He is again suggesting that the matter be referred to Court with a “Certificate of Urgency” and will pay the BIDC workers up until December. What happens if the case takes longer than December to be decided by the Court? Why not just suspend the letters to the BIDC workers , pay them as usual until a decision by the Courts regardless of when that will be? Does he plan to ask Dennis Lowe why his constituency is the only one benefitting from private garbage collection, apart from Bridgetown? Where are the funds for this private garbage collection coming from- Dennis Lowe himself or taxpayer funds?

  8. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    Unfortunately the trade union movement, the government, the opposition, the people of Barbados and the absent leaders are ALL complicit in bringing us to this sordid point.

    The lines have been drawn, the generals have spoken. Let the battle begin as we hope for minimal collateral damage.

    @David
    This was not the tipping point I had foreseen but hey, a point is a point. We have two leadership Outliers at the helm of the unions and in at least 3 more critical areas. MAM could theoretically be considered one for her time. More are on their way. One thing is for sure, Barbados won’t be the same after this one.

    Grab some popcorn.

    Just observing

  9. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Section 48: Powers and Procedure of Parliament [Power to makes Laws]

    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Barbados.

    (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) and subject to the provisions of subsection (3), Parliament may by law determine the privileges, immunities and powers of the Senate and the House of Assembly and the members thereof.

    (3) No process issued by any court in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction shall be served or executed within the precincts of the Senate or the House of Assembly. while it is sitting, or through the President or the Speaker, the Clerk or any other officer of either House.

  10. ac Avatar
    ac

    The PM is absolutely correct misguided adventurism leads to mob rule.
    There are processes put in place to govern which the Union has deliberately discarded in their. zeal and political rush to judgement.This issue one which borders on intrepretatation of law as the PM so rightfully stated is now placed with Court of Law and at present point and time the rules which govern union should be respected stating that strike action should be suspended until the law courts make a decision.
    Yes this new breed of Unionism should and must be harnessed according to law
    for the safey and protection of the country
    The PM is absolutely correct in his assement and made a judgement call wherby all should take heed

  11. ac Avatar
    ac

    Mia cannot and will not be considered “one for her time”her activism was out of bounds with was she was called to do one of being legislator one that demands her fight to be carried to parliament as a representative of the people and not be caught up in a toxic political mixture of adventure and political politics.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Artax, exactly what does the PM mean by quoting sec 48? It seems an empty threat at this time. Barbados is in a very dark place and those of us who are intelligent on the rock need to speak out. Let us forget the JAs on this blog who are clueless and don’t even live on the here.

  13. Just asking Avatar
    Just asking

    @Observing July 14, 2015 at 8:00 AM #

    Well said Observing the genie is out of the bottle the relatively harmonious industrial relations in Barbados that we’ve respected and embraced for ages is over. The government cannot be blameless in our arrival at this sorry pass. The new immature union leadership must shoulder most of the culpability. The PM was correct when he postulated that the last resort has become first resort. The boring slow talking woman at the BWU who can put you to sleep is quick to invoke the strike weapon. The young boy and the beauty at NUPW are even quicker with the strike weapon. The leaders of the teachers unions were strike ready for donkey years it was because Sir Trotman never threw his support behind them that they hesitated. Remember the BWU backed Broomes, the head of the BSTU couldn’t overcome that hurdle. Now Redman plus the BUT sniff an opportunity to teach the government a lesson. The people of Barbados will be hurt badly in this avoidable confrontation.

    The sputtering economy will take a huge hit if the country is shutdown . Fragile business confidence is bound to disappear with the inevitable loss of more jobs. Is anyone thinking. The tourist industry may never recover if the air traffic controllers, customs and immigration carry out their threats. Why didn’t they down tools when Jamaican Myrie accused them of feeling her up? Why don’t they want cameras at the airport like the rest of the civilized world? Why the irrational fear of their civil service and union comrades in BRA?

    Take a step back and analyze what ostensibly triggered the deadly combat . Even before it was referred to the courts there was clearly space for negotiation on the conditions and monetary terms under which the BIDC 10 were separated. Shouldn’t those possibilities been exhausted before the sanitation services halted garbage collection? The island already suffering from a cut back in garbage collection is on the verge of nasty slum like conditions. Where are the cooler heads ? Will the fire and brimstone unionists abide by the court ruling? Will martial law have to be declared?The new unionist leadership has been spoiling for a fight from the get go. They’ve got it and are determined to change Barbados for the worse forever.

  14. David Avatar
    David

    It is obvious the unions are fighting for survival given all that has occurred in recent months. Their membership has been decimated. The BIDC action to retire 60 year old workers is obviously interpreted as a continuation of government action to erode union membership with the amalgamation of state entities ongoing.

    To both sides the battle cry stands, no retreat, no surrender!

  15. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David July 14, 2015 at 6:35 AM #

    “The NUPW has waited over a year for the ERT to meet to decide the fate of NCC workers and they did nothing in the face of heated criticism. The government promised Dennis Clarke a list to review to investigate claims minister Lowe was less than fair in selecting who should be severed from the NCC.”

    David, remember the reason why Stuart referred the NCC matter to the ERT was because he admitted that a “number of mis-steps were made in the retrenchment process.”

    “The dispute at the National Conservation Commission (NCC) has been referred to the Employment Rights Tribunal, which will begin reviewing the matter tomorrow.
    Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who made the announcement this afternoon after meeting with representatives of trade unions and the NCC management at Government Headquarters for close to four hours, said the retrenchment issue would be the tribunal’s top priority at this time since “a number of missteps were made in the process.”….” [Barbados Today, May 25, 2014]

    However, this year during the Estimates debate, Stuart had a different opinion on the NCC issue. The following excerpt was taken from the March 18, 2015 edition of “Barbados Today”:

    Laid off National Conservation Commission (NCC) workers who are unhappy with the delay in the start of their case before the Employment Rights Tribunal should blame their unions for taking the matter there.

    So says Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who today washed his hands of the decision to take the workers’ grievances surrounding their retrenchment to that arbitration body.

    The workers’ representatives, the National Union of Public Workers and the Barbados Workers’ Union, insist that the last in, first out policy was ignored in deciding who would be among those sent home from the NCC in Government’s retrenchment exercise last year.

    “I have been accused of sending people to the Employment Rights Tribunal just to kill the matter related to the NCC,” Stuart said in the House of Assembly during debate on the 2015/2016 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
    “Let the record show that the Prime Minister chaired a meeting with the unions and with the NCC and received, in writing, a request from the unions that the matter be sent to the Employment Rights Tribunal, and all the Prime Minister did was to say, ‘if the unions want this, who am I to say no to it’.”

    Stuart said he recognized the logic of the BWU and the NUPW in going that route, because they did not want to be in a position of having to decide which NCC employees should go home.

    “So they took the position to let the matter go to an independent agency for determination and they would feel bound by the decision of that agency,” he said.

    “All the Prime Minster did was to say if that is the wish of the unions I have no choice but to accede to and abide by that.”

  16. David Avatar
    David

    Also note in today’s press Hal Gollop the chair of the ERT is noncommittal when his tribunal will hear the NCC case. One big scam.

  17. CHAUCER Avatar
    CHAUCER

    @Observing
    Good comment, I will add the unions and the BLP with indecent haste , as OSA said the BLP is without

  18. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    You are not “Just Asking” your language represent the same behavioural pattern as your “responsive procrastinator”. This BIDC matter is over two weeks, and nothing was hinted to solve this problem. Just Asking you said “The boring slow talking woman at the BWU who can put you to sleep……”. At least she respond immediately instead of the behaviour of a certain person probably suffering from Dimentia with an impediment of responding weeks after and then comes up with a stupid decision of going to an Employment Rights Tribunal as in the case of the NCC.
    Just Asking, your submission shows the past union leaders were hell-bent to frustrate workers who pay weekly dues for representation, yet these leaders are missing at crucial times. I will wait on the court’s decision.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    The response of the Union leadership calls to division leaders/shop stewards to attend meetings and support decisions confirms it has the support of workers.

  20. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    In a contribution to another article, a DLP yard-fowl stated “that Gregory Nicholls a big time BLP yard fowl is NUPW’s lawyer. Its his right to ply his trade and the union’s right to hire him. The crux is that Nicholls a BLP loser at every turn cannot be an honest broker in this debacle.”

    By these comments, the writer is suggesting that the BLP is the motivating factor behind the NUPW’s industrial action. But what does this say about the involvement of BWU and Unity?

    Interestingly, the DLP supporters who contribute to this blog have some very short memories (if any at all) and like to deal with the “here and now,” as it relates to their interpretation of any event to favour the DLP.

    The yard-fowl’s comments remind me of a situation that occurred last year relative to the ERT debacle. According to the May 27, 2014 edition of Barbados Today, the chairperson of the then ETR, “attorney-at-law Tracea Codrington, is the daughter and legal partner of Mitchell Codrington, who is the industrial relations consultant to the NCC in the current impasse with the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW). This fact is already fuelling discussion over whether or not she should be made to recuse herself from the upcoming proceedings.”

    “When contacted, president of the NUPW, Walter Maloney, declined comment on the matter. However, the BWU’s deputy director of industrial relations Dwaine Paul said: “I am aware that the chairman of the Employment Rights Tribunal is the daughter of the industrial relations consultant for the NCC, but I do not envision any conflict of interest arising.”
    “Both of these individuals are professionals and would adhere to the highest professional standards. I am sure they will seek at all times to avoid any conflict of interest arising in this situation,” he said.” [Barbados Today, May 27, 2014]

    However, compare Caswell Franklyn’s response:

    “General Secretary of the Unity Workers Union, Caswell Franklyn, was much more perturbed about the development. He told Barbados TODAY: “The deputy chairman of the tribunal should be able to handle the dispute. The chairman should not touch it. She should recuse herself because her legal partner is a consultant for the NCC.”….”

    Now, this is the type of “old unionism” that Stuart and the DLP seem to be more comfortable with.

  21. CHAUCER Avatar
    CHAUCER

    Artaxerxes , the name of a Persian but the hand of Ezra Alleyne

  22. John Avatar
    John

    They got Joe Money by his stones and his throat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGmUyi68_3o

  23. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    Talk about cant see the forest for the trees, what do you think we tourists are some fu9kin non entity that have to suffer because you cant come to some terms on 13 people. After spending thousands to come there is going to be a slow down at the airport…if thats somehow possible… expose us to your garbage strewn about and the vermin that infest it when you should be kissing our asses for coming to your sagassum filled beaches. To repair the damage to your tourism product will take years.
    But since you guys dont seem to care about us I suggest
    No tipping
    Eat at home
    Walk, do not rent cars or take taxis
    If you can find a beach without seaweed dont use the water sports
    rent only at all inclusives
    tourists matter and by the way maybe its time 60 years should step aside and let a young person have a job that they have had for probably 42 years

  24. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    Artaxerxes, along with the moderator of this blog – who facilitates your ability to dissect these issues – I applaud you both.

    You sir in your pronouncements remind us of the best traditions of public advocacy: resolute, logical, unbiased, well researched and credible.

    Your 9:56 expose of the continued hypocrisy of the government and their acolytes is excellent.

    Long may you continue and whatever your political flavor, long may you maintain your unbiased character. Hit hard whenever and whoever missteps.

    On the comment of “old unionism” I can only revert to ; how do we actually complete non-conflicted business in Barbados with everyone related, God-child/parent, business partner, school buddy or mistress to someone else in the mix of things.

    HOW!!!!

    Mr Franklyn was right of course, the chairman should not have touched that matter with the proverbial ten-foot pole. Daughter and legal partner of an attorney coming before your tribunal and there is even a ‘discussion’ of conflict of interest! Good lawd.

    Did these folks miss all their law school ethics classes or just don’t give a shiiitte about common-sense or decorum?

    But alas this is the way of the world. It’s not that these conflicts are NEW but now they get publicized because information is not hidden as in years past.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    The culture of governance which exist in Barbados can be defined by a Speaker of the House found to be culpable by the High Court of Barbados withholding funds from an old man and supported by the PM and government to continue to hold office.

  26. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    CHAUCER July 14, 2015 at 10:12 AM #

    “Artaxerxes , the name of a Persian but the hand of Ezra Alleyne…”

    Wow, you are good………. how did you guess I am Ezra Alleyne?

    Chaucer, the name of the author of the “Canterbury Tales,” but the hand of Fruendel Stuart.

  27. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    “….exactly what does the PM mean by quoting sec 48?”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    What do you think he means David? …the man is a lunatic.
    He obviously means the same shiite as when he talked about having the names of CLICO depositors…
    He is possessed with a foolish evil spirit…and it has some shiite to do with CLICO… 🙂

  28. CHAUCER Avatar
    CHAUCER

    @ Art
    Your research my friend your research

  29. Frustrated Businessman Avatar
    Frustrated Businessman

    FooFoo was the accidental prime minister who became the prime minister by exception. The man has never held a leadership or management position and his life ambition was to become a judge. The cabinet has functioned without his input or supervision for 7 years, ‘every man for himself, get while the getting’s good’. Why would anyone be calling for him to get involved in any matter that required life skills? He considers the judiciary to be the highest power in the land and will defer to it like any medieval prime minister would to the King; and he wants to be king.

    This country has become a joke, the only reason we have not become a failed state is that local businessmen have nowhere to run to like Jamaica and Guyana in the 70s. We are Greece but with the ability to print money to pay local gov’t debt.

  30. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    How is it that Dumbville Inniss is now playing the ‘we are all friends and family” card; he saw no need to do so for the thousands of clico policy holders who were disenfranchised and victimized by Fruendel’s and DLP’s ‘esteemed friend and not a leper’ the thief Leroy Paris and his gang of former underlings at CLICO; instead, Dumbville called these victims of Parris, “greedy”, because they trusted their insurance reps who convinced them to invest their hard-earned dollars in pensions and ‘securities’ etc with Clico. Dumbville never once called Parris or clico greedy for being the thieves that they truly are. There was no ‘we are all friends and family’ status or designation for clico’s/Parris’ victims or we will give you your money back, they were designated as being simply greedy.

    But now that Bajans are exercising their rights, has anyone noticed how quiet Mia Mottley is on this matter, and showing DLP/BLP who they are supposed to be serving, the majority on the island, in case it still escapes these asses and they don’t get it; Dumbville et al wants to remind everyone, all of a sudden, that they are all family and friends, after laying off 60 years old and over ONLY, which is blatant discrimination.

    News Flash for DLP/BLP, the unions and Bajans are telling you something so shut up and listen, they have listened to crap coming out of the lying and deceitful mouths of both DLP/BLP politicians for over 45 years, your turn to listen.

    The conscious Bajans want you to know that they know that you are not supposed to be acting like they do not matter, while you act, pretend, kowtow and sell them out to the following individuals, you are not supposed to be acting as though the following individuals are your masters and the majority who give you the privilege of being leaders the mere slaves, consumers and servants to be victimized or used only as numbers to calculate how much money, your masters, the minorities, can accumulate off the backs of the majority:

    Leroy Parris – who the DLP/BLP allowed to disenfranchise and victimize his and their own people using CLICO insurance;

    Peter Harris – Who both DLP/BLP allowed to not only victimize and disenfranchise their own people using CGI Insurance but who was also allowed to monopolize the private health care sector, who now thinks he owns all the doctors in Barbados and who Inniss worked in tandem with (Harris) to attempt to monopolize and privatize the public health system had Fruendel, with all his faults, not removed Inniss as Minister of Health;

    Cow Williams – Who was allowed by DLP/BLP over the last 40 years to pretend he is the silent Prime Minister of Barbados, allowed to monopolize the business sector, creating havoc and dictating the lives of 270,000 people;

    Bizzy Williams – Same as above;

    Bjorn Bjerkham – Same as above and business partner to Cow & Bizzy;

    Mark & Stuart Maloney – The Williams’ boys and just two wannabes;

    All those business people who are greedy and self-serving, the people’s eyes are now open instead of being wide shut, despite Cow, Bizzy and Mia Mottley was hoping to leave them, useless, helpless and unknowing by calling for a ban on the blogs.

    WARNING: DO NOT READ this paragraph if you are prone to be thin skinned and offended, not that I care, but just being polite and saying some truths to the DLP/BLP:

    You are not supposed to allow a mere 10,000 or less whites or 3,000 indians who are the minorities on the island to control the economy that negatively impacts the lives of 270,000 blacks and their further generations who will also be the majority, do you see that happening in Europe or North America with those who are the majority. It’s time to man-up, you have become a shame and disgrace.

    lol

    Bajans are reminding you that you are not to legislate, mandate, create or implements laws to victimize, discriminate or dictate to them their basic human rights of age, disability, freedom of speech, etc to please the minorities or your own ignorance or to negatively impact their lives and those of their off-springs and future generations to come. You are supposed to protect your own people.

    Donville, you will make a lousy leader and dictator, you are a fair weather family and friend like all politicians; and as black men and women, the DLP/BLP politicians are all mentally weak as it pertains to protecting their own people, they are not suitable as leaders…..no great surprise everything has gone to hell.

    Because over the last 45 years none of this impacted or affected the leaders does not mean it did not have dire consequences on two generations of the majority, even if the leaders did notice, they did not care enough to make changes……..now they know that nothing lasts forever, a lesson to be learned going forward.

  31. David Avatar
    David

    On a positive note, minister Michael Lashley was spotted in New York at a DLP function last weekend. the fact he was in the company of minister of labour minister Byer in the middle of industrial unrest is another observation.

  32. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @David

    “It is obvious the unions are fighting for survival”

    This is true but they put themselves in this position over the last 2-3 years through action, inaction and errant action.

    “The response of the Union leadership confirms it has the support of workers”

    I’ll dare to posit that they have the “emotions” of workers, not necessarily the “support.”

    @Tell Me Why
    ” I will wait on the court’s decision.”

    Pray tell what do you think should obtain while we wait?

    If today’s meeting doesn’t yield a temporary truce then God help us.

    Just Observing

  33. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @David who wrote “On a positive note, minister Michael Lashley was spotted in New York”

    What is positive about this?

  34. ac Avatar
    ac

    How does Mia Mottley activism exemplify the cutting of the navel string between govt and Unions?For surely if one should belive that Unions and govt slept in the same bed. One cannot say that Mia song and dance. aming the Union strikers does not give one to pause and question who Now is sleeping with who? One genie might have been let out of the bottle but it sure as hell been left open for one of the BLP persuasion to go in

  35. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    CHAUCER July 14, 2015 at 11:01 AM #

    “Your research my friend your research”

    I understand, similar to how I guessed you are Fruendel Stuart.

    Your constant referral to authors and philosophers of by gone era in your speeches, obviously you would have chosen a name synonymous with those guys.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    There was a lot of twitter in social media referring to a misdeed he was unable to grace US shores.

  37. Palin Cock Observing Avatar
    Palin Cock Observing

    Spot on Frustrated Business Man…….

    “the accidental prime minister who became the prime minister by exception. The man has never held a leadership or management position and his life ambition was to become a judge. The cabinet has functioned without his input or supervision for 7 years, ‘every man for himself, get while the getting’s good’. Why would anyone be calling for him to get involved in any matter that required life skills?”

    Before PM Stuart Newflash broke, David Ellis cautioned on yesterday’s Brass Tacks that the PM by his own inhibitions could say things that would only infuriate the situation…He was so right ! We would be fools to expect anything different as Stuart has shown that he cannot garner the peoples confidence as a Leader. Stuart decides that he must take up threats and personal attacks about choke n rob , lunatic with a gun etc to sound as if he in charge . He is NO LEADER nor negotiator (Alexandra’s school) and better off serving his subject counting SERTA sheep.

  38. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ David,

    That is what I thought. lol

  39. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Hants,

    The fact that he was seen in New York means that at least some of what is rumoured about him is untrue. It was rumoured that he was barred from entering the USA because of criminal actions. The actions of which they spoke to me would have been the actions of a lunatic. So those of us who are not blindly partisan, those of us who wish the best for Barbados are happy, I suppose, that the Minister is not a lunatic or a proven criminal.

  40. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    If they strike …fire a hundred more then the union will be happy to negotiate it back to thirteen. Give the young people a chance old folks should move on. After 42 years working if you haven’t got your finances in order knowing that the end is coming soon it begs the question how dumb are you.
    Barbados should adopt a logan’s run format politicians in particular and everything will be okay.

  41. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Artaxerxes,

    Wait, that is you Ezra? Well I never thought I’d be on your side! Well, well, well, after all these years! LOL. Good job!

  42. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    A year or so ago, the main discussion on this blog and other places focused on downgrades and problems with the fiscal deficit. The government was rightfully being called upon to act urgently to arrest the fiscal situation. It seems to me that we want to go to heaven but don’t want to die. Exactly how the deficit gets cut without some combination of expenditure cuts (wages and salaries), revenue increases (taxes and levies) is quite beyond me.

    Now action has been taken and is being taken to fix the deficit the discussion focuses exclusively on the adverse effects of those actions. No pain no gain. We want to have our cake and eat it.

  43. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    I have problems with the government but choices have to be made. A painless Fiscal adjustment does not exist. Are we grownups or children who just bllthely ask for everything.

  44. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    Are our blogs, newspapers and call in programmes simply forums where those negatively impacted by policies or those who disagree with policy choices vent their anger, or are they forums for balanced, solutions oriented discussions. What I hear if fix the problems but don’t touch me or make my preferred choice and hurt or disappoint somebody else.

  45. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    Public sector expenditure has to fall if we are to stabilize and improve our debt situation.

  46. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Donna July 14, 2015 at 12:11 PM #

    “Artaxerxes, Wait, that is you Ezra? Well I never thought I’d be on your side! Well, well, well, after all these years! LOL. Good job!”

    Come on, Donna, I AM NOT Ezra Alleyne. I was, and sarcastically so, appeasing the idiot who says I’m Allyene.

    I thought you had more sense than that. Sometime last year, when BU was focusing on economic issues and, based on my contributions, a few DEMS and the PDC said I was Anthony Wood.

    I have been reading BU long enough to know when their back are against the wall, the DLP supporters and those who are assigned by that party to contribute on this blog, like to throw “red herrings”, resort to pejorative characterizations and identifying an individual as who they believe that person may be, all an effort to distract us from focusing on the issue at hand.

    The problem with the DEMS is they are so politically inclined and opinionated; they do not have independent thoughts. They are of the belief that politicians are only educated or skilled individuals who have the common sense to identify issues and ability to research information relative to that issue.

  47. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The evidence David. lol

    http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/69868/hundreds-festival

  48. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    The populists in Greece took the country to the brink, banks have been closed for two weeks. What has been the ultimate outcome, Greece is going to end up taking a bailout package similar to what was initially rejected. The underlying problem is that of reform which is painful and many populists and commentators want to pretend otherwise.

    the talk here used to be about failure to act and make decisions on public expenditure. where has that talk gone? Are the unions really part of the solution or problem to better productivity.

  49. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    The latest saviour is now debt restructuring. From what I have seen, we will all want debt restructuring until the government does it and some get negative effects. Like the institutions and barbadians who hold government bonds and who will lose money in a debt restructuring. the fans of debt restructuring and the blogs, editorials and call in programs will then be all about the losses these people will take.

    Leadership is about making choices, and choices always have negative consequences for some.

    We want to get rid of the fever but not willing to drink the bush tea. we want gain without pain. never worked before and will not work now.

  50. businessman Avatar
    businessman

    The unions will do the dog on any privatizations ( the other saviour). the layoffs at BIDC will look like child’s play if Transport board, SSA or or other major agencies are privatized. Will the blogs, editorials and call in programs then be about the fiscal gains or the job losses and pain?

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