Union looking for a new General Secretary

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is on the hunt for a new full-time leader.

That is because General Secretary Delcia Burke who is approaching 69, will be leaving the job on December 31, after 34 years’ service to the union of which two years were spent in the top post.

Burke, who took over as General Secretary from Roslyn Smith at the beginning of 2019, told Barbados TODAY she will be retiring at the end of this year.

She said the national council has already set up a committee to start the process of selecting a successor.

“I sent the letter of retirement, so they [the council] have put things in place for a committee to look at replacing me. You have to put the process out to advertise and to circularize and then interviews will take place,” said Burke.

Reflecting on her tenure as General Secretary, she recalled taking over at a time when unions in Barbados and across the world were experiencing some fallout.

However, she is happy with her achievements.

“We have been able to oversee the appointments for our members. Most of our members would have been crying out for appointments. That gives them a certain level of security,” she stated.

Burke also told Barbados TODAY she enjoyed her experience as General Secretary even though it came at a “wrong time.”

“It is always fulfilling when you do something for the workers that they appreciate. There were a number of workers who would have said to me they appreciate what I do for them. I understand that sometimes no matter what you try to do, you cannot always succeed at the level that you wanted to; but they appreciate what you do, knowing it is not always easy to be a trade unionist,” the union leader stated.

“I think the feedback coming from the majority of union members would have been good for the NUPW and good for the administration, the management,” Burke pointed out.

The outgoing General Secretary could not recall any regrets during the time spent with the NUPW.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy General Secretary Wayne Walrond said he will definitely apply for the pending vacancy.

Walrond, who has 38 years’ service with the NUPW, believes he is the best man for the job having acted on occasions and having previously applied for the position which was granted to Roslyn Smith.

“Basically if you have to go through that competitive process, I have no choice but to apply. I have been there before and if that is what is required, I am prepared to do it again. I have the industry at heart. If that is what is required, then I have to comply with the process,” Walrond said.

He noted that he has been acting deputy for two years now, and did not think there was anyone right now with his competencies and experience to head the NUPW after Burke retires.

“At this juncture, the union needs that competency and institutional knowledge and experience to advance the organization in the future in a strategic way. It is very critical at this point,” he declared. (emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)