BWU-Preconco talks on

The Barbados Workers Union (BWU), concrete products maker Preconco Limited and the Ministry of Labour today met at the negotiating table Barbados TODAY can reveal.

The BWU confirmed Monday that the first of a series of meetings had occurred on a number of issues including alleged arbitrary salary cuts, overdue wages increases, and unnecessary employee surveillance among others.

Scores of workers last week walked off the job when eight shop stewards were suspended for attending a meeting with Labour Minister Colin Jordan without the expressed consent of management. On Thursday, BWU General Secretary threatened that the action could be expanded because Preconco’s actions represented an attack on the trade union’s right to organise.

The threats were averted when Preconco’s management rescinded the suspension orders after a meeting with Minister Jordan.

When contacted on Monday evening, a BWU spokesman told Barbados TODAY the parties met and “negotiations are ongoing”. (KS)