C.O. Williams to cut jobs as union demands evidence to support move

Building giant C.O. Williams Construction Ltd is expected to make some of its workers redundant from as early as Friday, citing declining competitiveness and sustained operational challenges. The move has drawn a strong response from the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), which is demanding evidence to justify the cuts amid a nationwide building boom.

The 66-year-old company, which traces its origins to 1960, when late founder Charles Williams began a small earthmoving business, notified “all employees” in an internal memo dated June 5 of job losses within days. 

While general manager Marc Atwell did not specify in the memo how many workers will be affected, their bargaining agent, the BWU, which said it has been engaged in talks with the company on the matter, put the number at about 30.

The memo to staff read: “We regret to inform you that the company’s overall capacity to sustain the workforce at the current levels has significantly declined due to sustained operational challenges that have impacted the company’s competitiveness. As a result, the company must downsize and realign the workforce.

“To this end, this letter serves as notice in accordance with company practice and national laws to inform you of the impending redundancies that will commence on or shortly after June 12, 2026.”

Atwell advised the workers to contact the company’s human resources department if they had any questions or concerns.

But the BWU said on Monday it has asked the company to provide “justified evidence” to support its intended redundancies.

“The union does not treat any redundancy exercise as a routine administrative matter. Behind every name on a list is a worker, a household, and a set of obligations that cannot be reduced to figures on a page,” it told Barbados TODAY in a statement.

“Our immediate priority is to protect the dignity, rights and entitlements of the affected workers, and to ensure that no worker is unfairly treated in the process. The company has indicated that its position is connected to current business pressures, including the loss of contracts and challenges within the wider construction environment.

“While those explanations are for the company to advance, the union has made it clear that workers must not be asked to carry the full burden of conditions they did not create. The BWU has therefore sought to engage in meaningful consultation, to receive justified evidence on the basis for the proposed redundancies, to ensure fair and objective selection, and to secure the payment of all lawful and negotiated entitlements due to workers,” the union added.

The BWU also drew attention to a wider national issue, noting that Barbados needs a construction industry that values skill, experience and decent work. 

“The Barbados Workers’ Union remains opposed to unnecessary job loss and will continue to defend the principle that workers must never be treated as expendable when businesses come under pressure,” it insisted.

General manager Atwell could not be reached for comment.

C.O. Williams Construction has grown from a single tractor operation into one of Barbados’ most prominent civil engineering and infrastructure firms.

(EJ)