Strike enters third day but optimism grows for resolution

Workers at BICO are set to strike for a third consecutive day on Friday, despite the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) expressing optimism following a second six-hour round of negotiations aimed at resolving the employees’ grievances.

BWU General Secretary Toni Moore said on Thursday night that the over 50 ice cream manufacturing and cold storage workers would remain off the job until a final agreement is reached. The employees first went on strike on Wednesday, demanding better pay, improved health and safety conditions, and an end to what they describe as disrespect from management.

Following six hours of talks on Wednesday, chaired by the Chief Labour Officer, the BWU reported no progress, citing what it called an apparent lack of commitment by BICO to bridge the gap with workers who have been seeking improved conditions for over six years. The strike continued into Thursday as negotiations resumed, with Moore signalling that there had been some movement in the right direction after another six-hour session.

“We have not reached a final settlement. However, I think it’s fair to conclude that the talks today felt a little more positive and left a greater sense of optimism,” Moore said in a statement issued Thursday night. “As we move into discussions tomorrow morning at around 9 a.m., we hope to reach a conclusion—hopefully an ending that will see the workers being able to do what they really want to do, which is to return to work in a positive space that offers them the hope of the livelihood they deserve.”

She emphasised, however, that until a satisfactory position was put forward, the workers would remain on strike.

“While I spoke about the sense of optimism, there has not been a sufficient position put on the table that would cause us to alter our positions. However, we remain hopeful that when the company meets with its principals over the next few hours, we should be able to resume talks that will lead to a final settlement.”

Earlier on Thursday, BICO employees who were gathered outside the company’s Harbour Road, St Michael gates expressed frustration with the management’s perceived lack of meaningful action during the ongoing negotiations.

Several workers voiced their concerns, with one employee, visibly upset, stating: “I am so disappointed. We shouldn’t be out here so long in my opinion. I expected that it would’ve been resolved from yesterday [Wednesday] evening or after the meeting last night…. We shouldn’t be here today.”

Workers raised concerns over stagnant wages. “I’ve been working for the company for over 20 years and have never gotten a raise,” said one protestor. “I hear that the last raise happened in 2008.”

“Cost of living has gone up so high,”  another striking worker said. “A hundred dollars at the supermarket right now is nothing. Twenty years ago, a hundred dollars would have gotten you a long way. Now you can’t even walk out with a full shopping bag of groceries.”

Beyond wages, the workers cited ongoing disrespect from management. “They disregard our feelings,” one said. “They even walked out on us at a meeting some time ago.”

Despite the financial strain of being off the job, the employees remain resolute, insisting they will not back down until the company commits to meaningful changes.

According to them, “the short-term hardship is worth the long-term benefit”.

“If they don’t come to an agreement, it’s going to go on longer. The strike will continue, and soon the supermarkets will be in trouble…. Barbados will be in trouble,” said a worker, hinting that other sectors within the distribution industry could join the action if no resolution is reached.

(BT/SM)