Saturday, October 3 2009

EMPLOYERS Consultative Association (ECA) chairman, Ruben Mc Sween, yesterday said the association understood moves by TSTT and the PTSC to de-certify the unions representing their employees.

In a media release, Mc Sween pointed out that the Industrial Relations Act was very limited in the options available to penalise trade unions or employers when either party does not conform to the Act.

The companies filed separately in the Industrial Court last week to have a fracas at TSTT headquarters on July 7 and a bus strike on September 14, recognised as Industrial Relations Offences which would have been used as grounds to de-certify both unions.

Mc Sween explained the only sanctions available to penalise a trade union were fines, which would be considered negligible in these times and the option of applying for the cancellation of the union certificate of recognition. In opting to apply to de-certify the unions, he said, employers may have been ensuring the safety of property and personnel which is one of their responsibilities.

“It may well be that the employers in the cases in consideration are attempting to send a signal to those in authority that measures need to be taken to prevent unfortunate incidents of the type that we have all witnessed recently which should have no place whatsoever in the conduct of good industrial relations,” Mc Sween said.

He continued saying that steps should be taken to ensure the level of lawlessness and indiscipline currently being experienced in the country does not become worse.

“The ECA wishes to strongly implore trade union leaders to exercise better discipline over their members when involved in industrial action, so that while their messages may be conveyed in the firmest of manners, there will be greater attention paid to staying within the bounds of peaceful and respectful behaviour at all times.

Equally important, employers need to be mindful of not infringing on the rights of workers to express their strong disagreement where necessary when disputes arise between parties, provided that such disagreement is handled within the confines of the law and acceptable behaviour,” Mc Sween said.

He also said the ECA still prefers that discussion takes place with a greater level of commitment and mutual respect to preserve industrial peace.