Work is one of the most fundamental aspects of a person’s life providing the individual with a means of financial support and as importantly a contributory role in society. A person’s employment is an essential component of his or her sense of identity, self worth and emotive well being. It provides status, since people identify with the group to which they belong.
On the other hand, unemployment or the threat of unemployment has a powerful negative impact on employees especially when used in a subtle manner to unduly influence and put pressure on them to preserve their interest such as signing forms for de-recognition.
When the threat becomes real and employees are dismissed by insidious means during disputes, others, fearful of losing their jobs, may unwillingly obey instructions from management contrary to their beliefs.
It is unfortunate that the current impasse between RUSAL and GB&GWU has placed employees in such a position where decisions were made based on fear, that has left the GB&GWU in a position of uncertainty.
For that reason, NAACIE as a responsible union, whether politically motivated or not should support the bauxite union in solidarity against the machinations of RUSAL, rather than undermining their efforts of fair representation. Whatever happened to the theme solidarity forever for the union makes us strong? In context this theme represents consolidation of the Trade Union movement not fragmentation.
This issue, according to the Ministry of Labour, is before the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board which is responsible for determining the bona fides of Trade Union Recognition. In its adjudication prior to any determination, the Board should take cognizance of whether duress, undue influence, threats or deliberate poaching were used to subvert and destabilize the current recognition status of GB&GWU. In the meanwhile, the GB&GWU is still the incumbent union and RUSAL presumably a responsible employer, should afford them the courtesy of dealing with current issues.
Accusations of discrimination and the political and racial overtones that now pervade the letter columns could have been easily avoided if this issue was handled within the tenets of basic industrial relations principles.
Yours faithfully,
D. Sookdeo
