Cement manufacturer Preconco Limited and the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) are once again on level terms following an intervention from Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Labour Colin Jordan.
In a statement on Friday, Minister Jordan revealed that after meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, the matters including an arbitrary wage cut of 2.5 per cent were “amicably” resolved.
According to the labour minister, parties agreed to an effective date of April 1st for restoring wage levels along with a regime for settling all outstanding commitments.
Tensions between the parties reached boiling point last week when eight shop stewards were suspended for attending a meeting with the labour minister over a number of outstanding industrial relations issues.
Describing the matter as an assault on the trade union movement, BWU General Secretary Toni Moore signalled her intention to intensify the strike action.
Last Friday, in less than 24 hours the suspension letters were rescinded after a meeting between management and Jordan, and by Monday, the parties were once again discussing the substantive issues.
Among the major issues facing the workers were arbitrary pay cuts of up to five per cent and wage increases after 10 years of holding strain.
“Both parties have undertaken to use their best efforts to restore and maintain industrial harmony,” the statement concluded. (KS)
