A labour-related report in Tuesday’s paper should not go unnoticed. The Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL) said it would afford businesses a one-year grace period to continue recovering from the onslaught of record-strength Hurricane Irma and protect the jobs.
The union did this having won several court cases against employers for infractions regarding their staff following the island’s worst known natural disaster. It means that during this time no renewing or negotiating collective labour agreements (CLAs) will take place, so there is “no excuse” to lay off personnel.
CLAs that have expired will “roll over” until a new one is signed. The move prevents additional salary and other demands under the current dire socioeconomic circumstances.
Especially because it involves several damaged resorts back in operation, this is an important and no doubt much-appreciated approach by the union that did something similar after the also-devastating hit by Hurricane Luis in 1995. The gesture shows a sense of responsibility for the community in general and not dues-paying members alone.
This is a good example of modern unionism, where the personnel representation also looks at the health and prospects of the company or organisation in question, rather than always trying to get more short-term benefits that could ultimately have a negative impact on both the company and its staff, to the point of jeopardising their future. In addition, much emphasis is put on educating workers.
When WIFOL’s veteran President Theophilus Thompson receives an award as planned on Labour Day, it will be fully deserved.
