Union boss says ERT short on resources

General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Richard Green believes the Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) has not been given the resources it needs to efficiently carry out its work.

Insisting that the tribunal must not be treated as a “step-child” in resolving labour issues, he also expressed serious concern with the lengthy delays in having cases brought before the ERT.

“How seriously the ERT is taken is reflected in the resources that have been given to it. I do not think it has been given the status that it truly deserves and that more manpower resources and more technical resources should be given to the tribunal,” the trade union leader told Barbados TODAY.

“The length of time it is taking to have matters resolved before the ERT can act as a deterrent to employees taking their matters before the tribunal for resolution,” he added, noting that the backlog of cases was also frustrating those waiting for their matters to be called.

The head of the island’s largest public sector union also asserted that the tribunal, which was re-established in 2015, deserved to have its own “permanent” home by now.

His comments echoed those of former ERT Chairman, Retired Court of Appeal Justice Christopher Blackman who, in retiring from the tribunal last week, lamented that he had left several issues outstanding.

“Regrettably, the several issues which I have canvassed for, or worked upon over that time, including the provision of a dedicated space for the work of the tribunal, the enactment of rules for the tribunal and amendments to the Employment Rights Act continue to be works in progress. It is my sincere wish that the speedy resolution of these matters occurs as soon as possible,” he stated in his resignation letter to Minister of Labour Colin Jordan.

Urging the powers that be to move quickly to appoint a new ERT chairman, Green also stressed that “it should be made more user friendly and easier for the common man to not only access but be able to function effectively . . . as the tribunal currently heavily mimics the court system”.

“A relaxation of those procedures will be useful for fellow labour practitioners,” he added. (JB)