‘He won’t let go’, Jones says of NUPW president

President of the country’s largest public sector trade union, Akanni McDowall, is being urged to abandon his re-election bid, in the midst of simultaneous attempts to have him appointed to the position of Secretary General, which is yet to be created.

In a scathing response, former first vice president of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Fabian Jones, who is currently in the race for presidency, has accused McDowall of attempting to hold onto power by any means necessary, even if to the detriment of the institution and its members.

On Thursday, Nathalie Murray announced that 150 union members had signed a petition seeking a special meeting to create the post of Secretary General and appoint McDowall to it.

But Jones, a Welfare Officer, who was once an ally of McDowall, declared that he was almost certain that this was a ploy from the incumbent president, who in the past, has attempted to create the post of ‘President General’. The post, which was eventually unsuccessful, would have represented an unprecedented merger of the elected post of president and the appointed post of General Secretary.

“It reeks of a man who doesn’t want to let go and who would sink the ship if he can’t lead. It is a conflict of interest and it tells you then that this is a man unto himself and I see it as a selfish move,” Jones declared.

“I find that under his stewardship, the voice of the membership has been dampened and he is the only voice of the union. It further shows that this is a man who has his own interest at heart. The fact that you’re trying to simultaneously pursue both [positions] means that you are trying to get one if you don’t get the other.

“I believe that ethically he should step down as president if he wants to pursue the secretary general position, but that’s not what he’s doing,” the former first vice president declared.

Jones also recalled that Murray served as a team advisor to McDowall in previous elections, increasing suspicions about the true origin of the petition.

When previously asked by Barbados TODAY if he was interested in serving as Secretary General, McDowall said he would be willing to serve in whatever capacity the membership decides.

Acting General Secretary Wayne Waldron however slammed the move as “disturbing” and “unethical”.

“A matter like that has serious implications for the good administration of the union and therefore the manner in which this is proceeding is very disturbing and unprecedented,” Waldron said.

When contacted, third vice president Kimberley Agard, who is also vying for president said she had not yet seen the petition and would be awaiting more details before casting judgement.

“All of its contents, I learnt from the press. The union is an organisation run by its members and they have the final say, whether for, or against. The union’s rules are clear and give guidance on how matters such as this are to be handled,” Agard replied.

Meanwhile, Jones has taken issue with attempts to use his previous aspirations with elective politics to smear his union bid, as he pledged to place the plight of labour at the centre of his decisions. He has also dismissed recent opposition from McDowall to impending price increases as part of his effort to rally support.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)