BWU to stage industrial action as G4S talks break down

The Barbados Workers Union (BWU) and G4S management this evening failed to settle their long-standing labour dispute.  The union says it will mount industrial action.

Below is the full text of the BWU statement: 

Late yesterday evening, Friday, December 4, after more than five hours of discussions between the negotiating team of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and G4S management, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, the Honourable Colin Jordan, the parties reached no conclusion on the matters in dispute.

The BWU is disappointed that G4S has shown no commitment to address its violation of the principle of equal pay for equal work by eliminating the pay gap of workers performing the same functions.

G4S attended the meeting but failed to honour an earlier promise to table a proposal with a view to advancing the wages talks, thereby leaving no doubt that the company has no real interest in settling the dispute. It is the BWU’s position that this situation has reached an untenable level that will not be tolerated.

At the close of the meeting the BWU team, headed by the General Secretary, Toni Moore, notified the Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations that the Executive Council will formalise in writing its intention to take industrial action.

The General Secretary of the BWU expressed the Union’s resolve to continuing its fight against G4S and other companies that seek to undermine the principles and system of industrial relations in Barbados. (BWU)