Minister steps in G4S labour dispute

by Kareem Smith

Security officers at G4S Secure Solutions (Barbados) Ltd are not backing down from their demands for salary increases and improved working conditions, even in the face of thinly-veiled threats from management to those who dare to air their grievances on the picket line.

And, it seems their cries have been heard by Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan who has promised to meet with their representative, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

For the second time in one week, workers picketed the company’s Brighton, Black Rock, St. Michael headquarters from as early as 8:30 a.m.

Their action was triggered by a breakdown in negotiations between management and the union, which has reportedly resulted in General Secretary Toni Moore seeking an audience with the labour minister.

Late Wednesday evening, Barbados TODAY learned of the minister’s intention to meet with the union’s top brass early tomorrow morning.

As a result, the angry workers once again went back to work pending the outcome of the talks.

Upset workers told Barbados TODAY that letters have been sent summoning those who participated in recent strikes into meetings, causing many disgruntled colleagues to avoid Wednesday’s protest for fear of retaliation by the company.

Last week, workers, some of whom work 12-hour shifts, ceased picketing and deferred to the Labour Department for resolution between the two parties.

In a statement late this evening, the union pledged to fight the workers’ case against employers like G4S “seeking to disenfranchise workers” and threatened to escalate the issue to the highest level “to ensure that G4S and other companies operating in the Barbadian environment understand that the rules, principles, and practices governing industrial relations in this country must be adhered to and that justice is brought to all workers in these situations”.

The BWU charged: “The current situation in the industrial relations space has been amplified over the last few weeks because of some who are not negotiating in good faith.

“ . . .G4S has refused to honour the principle of equal pay for equal work, and these workers have been extremely patient throughout the negotiating process.

“The workers have allowed for the Labour Department and the Ministry of Labour to conciliate on the outstanding matters, but what caused the impasse is the company’s reneging on its commitment to submit a two-year wages proposal. G4S had previously agreed to submit the proposal and in a subsequent meeting redrew their position.”

The company’s failure to present the union with a wage proposal, or in their opinion, show any intention to immediately address “longstanding issues” seemingly pushed the employees to their wits’ end.

Instead, General Manager James Devers remained adamant about the proposal of a 40-hour week across the board.

The workers, who are currently paid between $7.42 and $8.79 per hour say Devers’ proposal fails to address a six-year wage freeze imposed by the company.

The wage freeze was reportedly blamed on  recession prior to 2020, when COVID-19 was said to be the reason.

“The Barbados Workers’ Union is frustrated and the General Secretary is currently working on getting this addressed at the level of the minister because no longer can we sit with the management and take the foolishness that they have been presenting to these workers,” declared BWU industrial relations officer Shakeda Williams earlier in the day.

“They need the basic necessities that we consider for decent work. So yes, they have been waiting for increases, but they have also been waiting for things as simple as uniforms and so they are out here, asking for the Barbadian support and the Barbadian public to stand with them in solidarity,” she added.

(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)