Barbados: Publishing workers on wildcat strike

Workers at the Nation Publishing company walked out on strike on Tuesday following the sacking of a co-worker.

Submitted by Steven. on February 8, 2007

Cbc.bb reported that the action stems from the dismissal last week, and what employees claim is management's refusal to follow established industrial relations practices.

The near 60 workers walked out of the advertising and editorial departments around three o'clock this afternoon protesting the dismissal of colleague Orlando Holder.

They say Holder was accused of an offence by another worker.

Although police found no evidence of wrong doing after investigating the matter, Holder was dismissed last week.

Deputy General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union Bobby Morris, says this was done even though efforts were being made to have consultation on the matter.

Shop Steward Wade Gibbons accuses management of not following proper grievance procedure.

Meanwhile CEO of the company Vivian Ann Gittens has described the action as a wildcat strike, and says the matter has been referred to the Chief Labour Officer.

In a statement faxed to CBC News Ms. Gittens further explained that at a meeting with the union today, the options offered by the management for addressing the impasse were declined.

She quoted Article 11 of the Memorandum of the Agreement with the BWU and said that all grievance procedures have not been exhausted.

A video news report of this story is available here

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