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Whither Labour?

Submitted by Just Observing The history of the Trade Union movement is a checkered one, but, regardless, it has always been consistently associated with numbers, strength, values and representation. Oh for the good old days. The past 3-5 years has seen a rapid decline in the interest, membership and integrity of our trade unions through…

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Submitted by Just Observing

The history of the Trade Union movement is a checkered one, but, regardless, it has always been consistently associated with numbers, strength, values and representation. Oh for the good old days. The past 3-5 years has seen a rapid decline in the interest, membership and integrity of our trade unions through the actions (sometimes shameless) of its leaders. It has also seen a clear strategic attempt by the powers at be to “integrate and include” labour when convenient for specific goals and certain silence. Take for example…

After fighting for 23% wage increase with backpay, our leaders capitulated for 5% going back 18 months only

For the first time in the history of Barbados, Trade Unions joined, marched with and locked arms with Private Sector bosses to appeal the NSRL and “reduce cost of living.” Well I am sure we all have seen that reduction.

We have seen bitter battles, contentious insults and massive shots across the bow of a previous government for many matters sometimes minor. Yet, silence abounds in times of clear economic and employment uncertainty even BEFORE Covid-19.

The Social Partnership was touted as a beacon of collaboration and communication. When last has it met? Where’s the BWU’s place? What is a CTUSAB???

It’s clear to a blind man on a trotting horse that trade union leadership and politics are like kith and kin. However, the blatant display of this incestuous relationship recently and the continued tone-deaf actions by the leaders give little to no hope to current members or prospective members. What’s the sense, what’s the point. Think about it….

One can argue that there are more “conversations” and “talks” but to us workers, that’s all it is. Talk. Talk doesn’t rehire or repay. It doesn’t lower the price of gas or goods. It doesn’t give comfort to the temporary or superceded employee. And it sure doesn’t give comfort to those blatantly overlooked and disadvantaged for purely political or nepotistic reasons. To end let’s look at the profiles of our leaders

BUT President – clearly waiting to put on running shoes for a jog to the south east

BSTU President – never a negative word said about her “boss” despite the clear failings and missteps in the sector

NUPW President – Trying to be Houdini and transform into a General Secretary with a full time salary while public workers struggle. Wow.

BWU President – or should I say the MP for St. George and Lord know what else in the organization. What was that verse about God and Mammon?

CTUSAB President – who is CTUSAB President? Does anyone know? oh yes, He is the newly appointed Chief of Security at the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority. (https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/role-for-security-providers-in-medicinal-cannabis-industry/)

We all know 6 is half dozen, but if employees and workers can’t find a good omelette to eat when they are hungry then it’s a sad day in Barbados. May the good Lord help us. Let’s hope the other Union with that Senator fella continues to scramble some eggs whenever he gets a chance.

63 responses to “Whither Labour?”

  1. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ Paula Sealy June 10, 2021 11:41 PM
    (Quote):
    We are witnessing the unions’ collapse. Their members are leaderless, misguided or being led astray by the political agendas their leaders represent, bold opportunists and union parasites feeding on the dues of members. (Unquote).
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That’s a fair prediction on the inevitable predicament of trade unionism in Bim.

    Very few workers in the coming jig economy would waste their money joining a trade union given the quality of the current leadership and the blatant political partisanship on display in the decision-making process of the ‘major’ politically-controlled unions like the NUPW and now BWU.

    Future employees in the tourism industry would be engaged on contracts which would effectively preclude them from joining trade unions.

    The existing unions can expect to see a significant drop in members right across the local labour market and, as a consequence, membership dues which make up a significant share of the revenues needed to underwrite the highly-remunerated management payroll.

    Not even Caswell’s small outfit can save the workers and the unions sorry asses.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    NUPW affair goes on air
    The present discord at the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) dominated the popular
    Down To Brass Tacks radio call-in programme yesterday morning with several members of the public calling in to discuss the matter with moderator David Ellis.
    Union member, Natalie Murray, who brought the controversial resolution that has literally placed the union in a tailspin, defended her actions saying: “I would not do anything to destroy the union. The reason why I brought the resolution is that for the past three years the national council of NUPW refused to appoint a general secretary,” she said, adding there were thousands of workers who were paying their dues but not receiving representation.
    “For the last six years Akanni McDowall was the only person who we saw vigorously representing workers in this country,” she noted, pointing out that as president he could not do as much as the general secretary.
    First vice-president Kim Webster agreed with Murray.
    She said the special meeting to vote on McDowall’s promotion to secretary general will be held on Thursday at 5 p.m at the Horatio Cooke Auditorium.
    Responding to criticisms about his stewardship over the past six months, acting general secretary
    Wayne Walrond charged that obstacles had been put in his way.
    He said the proposed change to the constitution would give McDowall “absolute maximum power”.
    In terms of the disruption of this week’s national council meeting, he said: “If this behaviour is the way forward, God help NUPW . . . . People are looking on and they are disgusted.”
    No support
    Council member Fabian Jones also spoke on the matter, criticising his nemesis, whom he had competed against for the post of president.
    He suggested that McDowall did not have the support of any of the arms of the NUPW.
    “The discord, a lot of it surrounds him and his stewardship. So it needs someone who has that relationship with the council, he doesn’t; the secretariat, he doesn’t; the divisional committees . . . he doesn’t to a certain extent. So to appoint a such a person in such a position would only escalate the discord that is being felt at this time,” Jones said.
    However, McDowall defended himself, pointing out that this was not the first time a general secretary had been appointed by a special conference. He reiterated that there would be no changes to how the general secretary presently operates.
    “The members have indicated
    to me that they want me to fulfil this position as general secretary, here on referred to as secretary general. The position is no different than what exists now. It is not about absolute power. When this meeting is called all that will happen is that the vote is taken by the membership . . . . The difference is that the secretary general position is [for] a four-year period as opposed to the general secretary, which is at the pleasure of national council,” he said.
    However, a caller associated with the union questioned who would be conducting the voting and overseeing next week’s special meeting. (MB)

    Source: NATION NEWS

  3. David Avatar
    David

    Interesting workers at Sandy Lane have turned to government. We recall what happened the last time when BWU went against Sandy Lane. Labour is struggling.

    BWU raises concerns over Sandy Lane salary cut
    Workers at the world renowned five-star Sandy Lane hotel are upset about a salary cut.
    As a result, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) is calling on Government to put stringent legislation in place to stop employers infringing the rights of workers.
    Some workers told the Sunday Sun that their wages were cut by about 15 per cent.
    “You have to work a 40-hour week only to be paid for 32 hours and some staff members, after deductions, are going home with only $3.96,” said one disgruntled staffer at the West Coast hotel, who requested anonymity.
    “The staff at Sandy Lane are suffering every day and are stressed out to the max, yet Sandy Lane still expects the staff to perform duties at 100 per cent.”
    In a statement on Friday, the BWU asked the Chief Labour Officer to investigate the matter.
    “It was brought to the attention of the Executive Council of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), that at or around the end of April 2021, the Sandy Lane hotel sought to alter the conditions of work for some members of staff.
    “These changes followed correspondence sent by
    the management requesting acceptance of a proposed pay reduction. Though the proposal was met with vehement refusal from a significant number of staff, the hotel’s management presumptuously proceeded to apply the said reductions dictated in the document.
    “On May 7, the BWU wrote to the management of the property, informing them of the breach and pressing for a restoration of all monies to the affected staff by May 14, 2021. This letter of representation was also copied to the Chief Labour Officer . . . requesting that the matter be investigated, with a view to having an urgent resolution to the grievance, so as to avoid any unfortunate delays in the receipt of retroactive payments to the staff.”
    Do more
    The BWU said Government needed to do more to protect workers’ rights, especially during the ongoing pandemic.
    “Upon receipt of the letter from the BWU, the Sandy Lane management responded that they would be seeking legal advice in the matter.
    “In far too many instances, especially since the start of this pandemic, the BWU has found itself battling in the defence of workers
    who have had their conditions of employment unilaterally varied by some establishment or other.
    “There is a need for more stringent legislation to be enacted by the Government, for implementation by the Labour Department that sends a stronger message to corporate entities who seek to defy our laws in the protection of workers’ rights and wages in this country,” the statement said. (SB)

  4. David Avatar
    David

    Union’s vote moves to LESC
    THE SPECIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE to vote on a resolution to appoint Akanni McDowall as secretary general of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) will now take place at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) on Thursday.
    Acting general secretary Wayne Walrond said yesterday it was switched from the union’s Dalkeith, St Michael headquarters to the LESC to facilitate the COVID-19 protocols.
    “We sought to have more amenable accommodation,” he said. Walrond reiterated that the move to install McDowall in the new position would create a constitutional crisis in the union. “They are asking that the special conference immediately install brother Akanni McDowall, the president, to that position for four years and suspend some aspects of the constitution at 12A, which speaks to the duties of a secretary general.
    “It creates a constitutional issue because the post of general secretary is a full-time post which falls under the pleasure of the National Council to make that appointment. Therefore what I am seeing playing out on social media, this is not one of the elected posts such as like president, first, second and third vicepresident . . . so this will create a constitutional issue because it is a post provided for within the structure of the union.”
    He added: “There is a clear structure within the union for paid staff. We do not have any provision for any other type of person within our constitution.”
    McDowall has been busy campaigning for the new position. In what could be called a manifesto entitled Support Good Representation,
    he gives a detailed background on his affiliation with the trade union movement and the NUPW, and also explains the resolution which was brought by member Natalie Murray, along with a petition of 135 members, almost two weeks ago.
    McDowall once again stressed that the secretary general position would not give
    him absolute power since there were no differences between that and the general secretary.
    In terms of if politics was involved in the petition, a question that has dogged his candidacy since it was proposed, the president said: “Members are citizens and are entitled to have their political affiliations, but we must never allow tribalism to infiltrate or political associations to guide the decision-making at the union. The rights of workers must always be paramount and this is something I will always stoutly defend and stand guard against.”
    Regarding who will chair the meeting on Thursday, he said: “The rules speak about the chairing in order of seniority. Therefore, if I am unable to chair the meeting, then that responsibility goes to the first vice-president, or the second vicepresident, and so on.”
    He also dismissed suggestions that he was taking away “Wayne Walrond’s job”.
    “Certainly not. The post of general secretary is currently vacant and it has been for the last three years. Brother Waldron has been acting general secretary for six months but his substantive position is assistant general secretary,” he said. (MB)

    SOURCE: NATION NEWS

  5. David Avatar
    David

    NUPW secures meeting

    Union leaving nothing to chance as massive crowd expected

    by COLVILLE MOUNSEY
    colvillemounsey@nationnews.com
    SECURITY WILL BE tight for today’s meeting to decide on the contentious bid to make president of the National Union of Public Workers Akanni McDowall its first secretary general.
    Acting deputy general secretary of the union Richard Green said given the fracas which ensued last week during a meeting of the union’s National Council to discuss the issue, resulting in the police being called in, nothing was being left to chance.
    He said based on the overwhelming interest in this afternoon’s proceedings, it was anticipated that a “massive crowd” would be in attendance.
    He said in addition to security personnel at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, the police had been officially asked to help keep the peace.
    Green said only members who were fully paid up for the last three months would be allowed into the meeting, noting that officers from the records department would be present to check the names against the 6 500 currently on the NUPW roll.
    Raised tensions
    “I want to reassure the members of the NUPW that the special general meeting, which will begin at 5 p.m., will be conducted in a manner befitting of an organisation that consists of membership throughout the public service, from the ancillary to the judiciary. The managers of the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre are providing us with
    additional security. It is no secret that this resolution has resulted in raised tensions and tempers and persons have approached this much like a campaign. So we have spoken to the Royal Barbados Police Force about additional security and the membership can feel comfortable that we will not have a repeat of what we had last week,” said Green.
    He added: “Let me also take this opportunity to repeat for clarity, a member of the union is one whose dues are fully up to date. According to rules of the union if you owe more than three months dues then you are not considered a full member. So definitely only those persons that have full membership would be allowed into the meeting. We have our membership records department double checking things as we speak to ensure that only eligible members are able to participate.”
    The resolution brought by NUPW member Natalie Murray proposes that Rule 12 which provides that “the General Secretary be a full-time paid officer appointed by the National Council and shall hold office during the pleasure of the Union” be suspended for one year and “the President become the General Secretary (hereon referred to as Secretary General) for four years as a full time paid officer of the Union, appointed by the National Conference effective immediately.”
    Two-thirds majority
    Explaining the format of the meeting, Green said that as the proposer, Murray would be given an opportunity to make the case for the resolution and this would be followed by a discussion among the membership to determine if it merits going to a vote. Should it go to a vote, the resolution would need two-thirds majority in order to be successful.
    “The proposer of the resolution will first
    have to prove the merits of their case in seeking to have it voted on. They would be tasked with convincing the membership of how it is going to work and how it is going to function within the parameters of the constitution. There will be arguments against as well and then the membership will determine if it will go forward for a vote. So, it is not a simple process of coming in and voting as some persons have been led to believe,” he said.
    When contacted, Acting General Secretary Wayne Walrond said he was satisfied with all of the arrangements made, adding that his wish was for the meeting to be held in strict adherence to the rules.
    The DAILY NATION also made multiple attempts to reach McDowall to ascertain his comfort level with the arrangements for today’s proceedings but was unsuccessful.

    Source: Nation

  6. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Skinner, @David and all… The unions were ***”duped’****
    😂😂😂. Seriously, gentlemen. To suggest that any of Sir Frank Walcott, Sir Roy Trotman, Joe Goddard, Jones etc were led ‘unknowingly’ or ‘deceived’ into partnerships (dare I say unions) with the governing party of the day is to defy commonsense, logic and basic history and both you gentlemen are much too intelligent and knowledgable to try that folly.

    Thus, I do like your comedic turn!

    In very simple terms sans the lotta long talk analysis (or excellent references like those made by the blogger @Pamela above) I will suffice to say: BOTH parties have the word ‘LABOUR’ in their name… so how in heaven’s name are we now shocked and concerned of the nexus between our local unions and party politics! 🙈

    And on the issue of change … I believe @Northern said it as crisply as can be: “… It is up to the paying members of any Union to seek change. If they don’t seek it who will?”

    Whither this gnashing of teeth o’er the unrest in the unions or their need to adapt… 1) of course the need to change is as constant as life itself and 2) unions have been undergoing this major structural splintering of their foundational woodwork for at least the last 25 years broadly and more specifically and dramatically (locally and otherwise) for the last 10.

    So I hear the angst but cant quite understand the rhetoric that they NOW need to take heed … that’s just hot air … because if they havent or had not long ago modified to address the changed structures then they are already dead.

    And to you again @David, I am sure Mr Persaud knows his stuff as you suggested but spewing advice that any first year Econ or Bus college student would offer can’t be an indicator of his expertise, surely. Blogger @Vincent alluded to the fact that THAT construct is an old model (in Bim and beyond)…. afterall, that was the intent in getting Intel to come here and ‘HQ’ a semi-conductor plant in the region, not so… and the many others lured with the various tax incentives.

    And thus back to the start .. this time in French…. just to reinforce that even the Frenchies were saying this eons ago 😎: Plus ça change, plus c’est la même

    ‘Secretary General’ , eh… sounds fancy tho… sounds like he preparing for a region wide or world union post, yuh!.

    Power shennagins … “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great [and not so great] men [and women] are almost always bad…”

    I gone.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word here is a brief exchange on Facebook yesterday with a trade unionist the blogmaster has some respect.

    https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/bobby-morris.png

    The comment was posted to reply to his concern about the shambolic event taking place with the NUPW in the full glare of the public.

    See his post – https://www.facebook.com/roberf.morris/posts/794244781261864

  8. David Avatar
    David

    Meeting adjourned!

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Controversial end to NUPW meeting

    By Colville Mounsey
    colvillemounsey@nationnews.com

    The controversial special general meeting to decide on the bid to make president of the National Union of Public Workers, Akanni McDowall, its first secretary general, has been called off indefinitely.
    Yesterday, even as people were in a long queue outside the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre trying to get past the security check points, the decision was taken to adjourn the meeting sine die after a call made by the meeting chair for individuals to bring the motion, went unanswered.
    Prior to this, McDowall was asked to recuse himself from the meeting. It was also unclear if the initial proposer of the resolution, Natalie Murray, was present in the room at the time, even though she was seen entering the building accompanied by legal counsel.
    According to the union rules, in order for this issue to receive any further ventilation among the membership, a fresh resolution must be brought. Upon exiting the meeting, tensions were still high among those in attendance. Some who did not want to be identified as they were interviewed, said the entire development was one of the lowest points in the union’s history.
    Following the meeting which came to an abrupt end at 6 p.m., neither McDowall nor Murray gave reasons why the motion was not brought despite being pressed by the media for an explanation.
    McDowall, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the process, claiming an attempt was made to disenfranchise some people who wanted to be part of the democratic process.
    “Today’s events are quite unfortunate. I would have sat in the chair and I would have indicated that I was willing to recuse myself since I was part of the resolution. I explained to the general membership that was in the room that because of the protocols there were hundreds of people who were outside trying to get in. There were some people who were being denied access and they needed to be able to get into the meeting so that they can participate in the democratic process,” said McDowall, who was flanked by Murray and other supporters.
    He further explained: “The credentials committee came back to me and said that they were having some challenges with persons getting into the meeting, so therefore I humbly asked that persons be allowed to come into the meeting so that we could have a full democratic process. Upon that request, some members, who perhaps felt that the numbers in the room were on their side, insisted that they should continue with the meeting. The security then came to me and said that he was instructed that I be removed
    from the meeting, I tried to explain the union rules, but he insisted, and I left the meeting.”
    However, acting general secretary of the NUPW, Wayne Walrond, said the democratic process was well served and was in no way subverted, arguing that the vote to adjourn the meeting was in essence a resounding rejection of the motion. He said now that the matter was behind them, steps must be taken to ensure there was not a repeat of it.
    Walrond said: “Let me say that this situation is a learning experience. There are lessons to be learnt from this experience and we thank God that he has put the union first. The members have come out and demonstrated that they are putting the union first, but we have to make some decisions to ensure that this unfortunate situation does not repeat itself and we need to chart the way forward to improve the union and its image.”
    He added: “I don’t want to give too much detail, but the meeting went in the direction of not supporting the resolution. The workers made a determination that the union must be put first and therefore anything that seeks to destabilise the union cannot be the workers’ agenda. We are happy that we can now move forward from this and look at making some decisions that we put the union first and it grows from strength to strength. We are not getting into any controversy or contention, democracy has prevailed and a decision has been made.”
    The resolution brought by Murray proposed that Rule 12 which provides that “the general secretary be a full-time paid officer appointed by the national council and shall hold office during the pleasure of the union” be suspended for one year and “the president become the general secretary (hereon referred to as secretary general) for four years as a full-time paid officer of the union, appointed by the national conference effective immediately.”

    Source: Nation News

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Fresh controversy surfaces in NUPW: https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/06/22/fresh-controversy-surfaces-in-nupw/

  11. David Avatar
    David

    Recompense for union leaders?

    NUPW suspends McDowall
    Embattled president of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Akanni McDowall will not be contesting a third term, having been suspended by the National Council on Wednesday evening.
    According to a document reportedly signed by acting general secretary Wayne Walrond, the council took the decision at its emergency meeting to suspend McDowall with immediate effect as a member and as president.
    He has also been suspended from holding all other offices held on behalf of the NUPW in accordance with Rule 17 of the union’s constitution.
    McDowall has 30 days to appeal the decision and while the document does not state the reason for his suspension, a source who was present at the meeting said the suspension was pending investigations into allegations that McDowall brought the NUPW into disrepute.
    Not submitted
    The Weekend Nation was also been reliably informed that McDowall has not submitted a nomination paper for the post of presidency to the NUPW secretariat, which closed the nomination process at 4 p.m. yesterday.
    “Mr McDowall was not present at the meeting and I can tell you that there were only very few voices that objected to the decision. Whether or not he [McDowall] can participate in the elections would depend on if the matter is resolved by
    the July 15 election date. The National Council meeting was largely attended and we now have to wait until the process runs its course,” the source said.
    When contacted, McDowall said the matter was in the hands of his lawyer. He said he was indeed informed of the suspension but had no idea what the charges were. He also raised questions about the process, contending that he had never seen anyone in the union face disciplinary action. He added that the timing of the move was also cause for suspicion.
    “The irony is that if we were to face an employer that did something similar, without stating why an employee was being punished or hearing their side of the story, the union would be up in arms.
    “In my 20 years in the NUPW, I have never seen anyone face disciplinary action, but there is a clear process, including bringing such matters before the membership first. Why was this not done? What is even more convenient is the fact that today (Thursday) is nomination day for the presidency and because of this suspension, I am being prevented from being nominated to run as president of the NUPW. Maybe this is their intention,” said McDowall.
    He also accused the decision-making body of being infiltrated by bad actors who do not have the NUPW’s best interest at heart, while making it clear that he “wants no part of it.
    Infiltration
    “It must be patently clear to all and sundry why such an unconventional approach
    was taken last week. There is an infiltration of the decision-making body of the union, giving them over to bad advice, to constant contravention of the rules and regulations of the union and to the detriment of representation of the workers,” McDowall said.
    “These parasitic actors are determined to make the union their puppet, and frankly, I want no part of it. That being said, I have spoken to my lawyer and we will respond accordingly.” The Weekend Nation reached out to Walrond for comment on the rationale for the action taken, but he said he was not in a position to comment at this time.
    McDowall was at the centre of a highly controversial and ultimately unsuccessful bid to make him the first secretary general of the union.

    Source: Nation

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Akanni’s charges

    NUPW council moves against suspended president
    by COLVILLE MOUNSEY colvillemounsey@nationnews. com
    THE NATIONAL COUNCIL of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has levelled six charges against suspended president Akanni McDowall, a well-placed source has revealed.
    Last month the National Council took the decision to suspend the embattled president pending investigations into allegations that he brought the NUPW into disrepute. However, following an emergency meeting at the union’s Dalkeith, St Michael headquarters yesterday, the decision was taken to bring the six charges. Additionally, a disciplinary committee was established to deal with the issue, which has played out in the public domain in recent weeks.
    It was charged that on June 2 to June 17, McDowall encouraged and promoted a resolution which sought to install him as secretary general of the organisation for four years, contrary to Rule 10(a)1), Rule 10(a)iv) and Rule 12 (a)(i). He is further charged with engaging in conduct in a manner “that was set to create chaos and calculated to bring the union into disrepute, and therefore liable to be sanctioned in accordance with Rule 17 (a) (ii)”.
    It was also alleged that while as president, McDowall was party to a petition that defamed senior staff members. He is also accused of entering the NUPW secretariat around 3:15 p.m. on June 16 and taking a photograph of a cheque dated June 17, 2021, payable to Larry Smith QC for legal services.
    McDowall is required to answer to the allegation of failing to present himself to the NUPW to sign cheques before the designated payday to ensure that staff were paid on time. The final accusation on the list dealt with usurping the general secretary.
    McDowall was not present at the meeting, which began at 10:30 a.m. and did not conclude until around 4 p.m.
    No response
    The source revealed that since the National Council suspended him on June 23, there had been no response from the president who, as a consequence of the suspension, has also been disqualified from seeking a third term in the July 15 union elections.
    “We have not heard a response from McDowall with regards to his suspension. We have been hearing rumblings of pending legal action, but the union has not yet been served with anything. So, the ball is in his court. These charges are all based on the facts as they happened,” the source said.
    The MIDWEEK NATION reached out to McDowall who said he was unaware of the emergency National Council meeting yesterday, adding he was not going to comment on matters of which he had no knowledge. However, when pressed as to whether legal action against his accusers was in the works, he said his lawyer would speak to this in due course.
    At the time of his suspension, McDowall said he had no idea what the charges were. He also raised questions about the process, contending that he had never seen anyone in the union face disciplinary action.
    He said the timing of the move was also cause for suspicion, coming on the cusp of nomination day.
    “The irony is that if we were to face an employer that did something similar, without stating why an employee was being punished or hearing their side of the story, the union would be up in arms.
    “In my 20 years in the NUPW, I have never seen anyone face disciplinary action, but there is a clear process, including bringing such matters before the membership first. Why was this not done? What is even more convenient is the fact that today (Thursday) is nomination day for the presidency and because of this suspension, I am being prevented from being nominated to run as president of the NUPW. Maybe this is their intention,” McDowall said then.

    Source: Nation

  13. David Avatar
    David

    NUPW told restore Akanni, or else

    Lawyers give union ultimatum
    The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) has until today to reinstate its embattled president, Akanni McDowall, who was suspended more than two weeks ago.
    Failing that, the union’s elections slated for July 15, could be hit with an injunction.
    The Weekend Nation was reliably informed that attorneys for McDowall fired off a letter to acting general secretary Wayne Walrond last Wednesday, the day after the NUPW instituted six charges against McDowall, “demanding”, among other things, his reinstatement.
    Legal letter
    According to the legal letter, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper, the law office, Clarke Gittens Farmer, in its handdelivered letter to the NUPW, indicated that the memo which was sent to McDowall on June 23, suspending him from the trade union, was “in breach of the rules and the laws of natural justice as our client was never given any, much less proper, opportunity to be heard by the National Council or of meeting the charges brought against him. In the circumstances, we have advised our client that the decision is null and void”.
    Continuing, the letter called not only for McDowall’s reinstatement but also for the elections to be delayed by two weeks to give McDowall the opportunity to prepare.
    It noted: “We now write on behalf of our client demanding that the National Council: immediately issue a memorandum withdrawing our client’s purported suspension; communicate the withdrawal of the purported suspension of our client to all bodies and entities that you have advised of the purported suspension; extend the period for submitting a member’s candidacy by two (2) weeks and delay the NUPW elections and all associated formalities to account for the campaigning time lost by our client and any other member as a result of the decision; and agree to indemnify our client in respect of the costs to which he has been put in this matter.”
    The letter concluded with a threat of court action: “Should we fail to hear from you within forty-eight (48) hours of the date of this letter, we will apply to the Court on behalf of our client for the appropriate injunctive relief and compensation for loss without further reference to you.”
    When contacted yesterday about this latest development, McDowall and Walrond were tight-lipped, with Walrond saying: “I cannot comment at this time.”
    Last Tuesday the National
    Council of the NUPW laid six charges against McDowall, namely that on June 2 to June 17 he encouraged and promoted a resolution which sought to install him as secretary general of the organisation for four years, contrary to Rule 10(a)1), Rule 10(a)iv) and Rule 12 (a) (i); that he engaged in conduct in a manner “that was set to create chaos and calculated to bring the union into disrepute, and therefore liable to be sanctioned in accordance with Rule 17 (a) (ii)”; that while as president, he was party to a petition that defamed senior staff members.
    Accused
    McDowall is also accused of entering the NUPW secretariat around 3:15 p.m. on June 16 and taking a photograph of a cheque dated June 17, 2021, payable to Larry Smith QC for legal services, and that he failed to present himself to the NUPW to sign cheques before the designated payday to ensure that staff were paid on time. This turmoil stemmed from a failed resolution brought by member Natalie Murray last month to make McDowall the new secretary general of the NUPW for four years.
    Murray also faces disciplinary charges.
    (MB)


    Source: Nation

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