#BTColumn – The power of workers

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Dennis De Peiza

As the world faces crisis after crisis, workers, as a group, become impacted in some way. In most cases, third world governments and employers in that part of the hemisphere tend to be reactionary to global developments. It is understandable that the industrial and first world countries are at the forefront of the decision-making process. It is generally felt that third world and so called developing countries are usually not in a position to wield any significant political influence. In the scheme of things, the power of workers is not to be underestimated. As an organised group in any geographical region or country, workers are able, through collective action, to pressure the political directorate to retract on intended policy decisions and actions. 

Very often, when reference is made to workers’ power, there is the tendency to associate this with employees’ ability to demand better wages and working conditions. This perception clearly doesn’t do justice to the real meaning of workers’ power. This narrow perception may have, for a long time, accounted for the reason why workers tend to concentrate or limit the extent of the power and influence that they can bring to bear on happenings in the workplace. 

The basis for this assumption on the narrow confines of workers’ power is borne out in the definition given to unions by the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO). The body, in identifying how it sees the functioning of a union, made the observation that it is about workers coming together as a team to make improvements in the workplace. The point is advanced that union members work together to negotiate and enforce a contract with management that guarantees the things workers care about, like decent raises, affordable health care, safer workplaces, job security and a stable schedule.

From the time of their establishment, trade unions have been advocates for change. In earlier times, many would have referred to them as lobbyist groups. It is accurate to say that trade unions have graduated to become very active in influencing political decisions in the western world, where the democracy system of governance is practised. The practice where governments continue to marginalise the inclusion of trade unions in the governance and decision-making process, and moreover, to engage in the ridiculous practice of imprisoning trade union leaders or even executing them, is to be decried. 

In the progressive age in which we live, the International Labour Organisation is to be respected as the world body that guides the process of inclusion and promotes the concept of tripartism. In the case of the latter, it is the expectation that the government, the national trade union centre and the private sector/ employers’ organisation, would work together to ensure that there is participation in the national governance and decision-making process. It stands to reason that any member government of the ILO which commits to observing its principles of good governance should be held accountable for its actions of not practising what it preaches.  

It is to be expected that the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), as the global voice of the world’s working people, would, like the ILO, want to distance itself from such atrocious behaviour.

It is to be noted that the primary mission of the ITUC is to promote and defend workers’ rights and interests, through international cooperation between trade unions, global campaigning, and advocacy within the major global institutions. Its areas of activity include those of trade union and human rights; economy, society and the workplace; equality and non-discrimination; and international solidarity. Based on its mission and major areas of focus, it would be difficult to conceive of that body denying any national trade union centre the opportunity to enter into its membership. 

Dennis De Peiza, Labour & Employee Relations Consultant Regional Management Services Inc.

www.regionalmanagementservices.com