St. George’s, December 20, 2011 – Minister of Labour, Hon. Glynis Roberts, has said that she is concerned about any action that could worsen the industrial climate at the Grenada Breweries Limited (GBL).
The Minister made the statement Tuesday morning in response to reporters’ question about the arrest by police of Senator Chester Humphrey, leader of the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).
GBL workers took strike action last week in a wage dispute with the management of the company.
Negotiations between TAWU and GBL management, which were mediated by Labour Minister Roberts, led to an agreement for workers to return to their jobs by Monday night. They agreed to return to work while discussion on the wage dispute will continue and will involve senior executive from GBL’s Trinidad-based parent company.
“At this point, I do not know exactly what would have caused the police to arrest Senator Humphrey,’’ Minister Roberts said. “But it is always a cause of deep concern when police intervene in workers’ disputes and arrest anyone, particularly a union leader. It is not something that is treated lightly.’’
Mrs. Roberts said that prospects for a settlement between GBL and TAWU were “looking very good,’’ adding that she hopes that the police action against Sen. Humphrey “does not now push us into a full-blown strike.’’
Sam, I totally agree with you on the arrest of the union leader. It's a shame to see such a high profile leader being arrested and our minister of security, the prime minister was unaware of what occurred. Somebody has to be asleep on the wheel here. Good Job, Sam
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By: paula davis 12/26/2011 9:27:39 AM
Mrs. Roberts, I firmly believe you as labor minister and others within the party are inefficient, ineffective and doing your best to undermine the Prime Minister Tillman Thomas's authority. I think you, the commissioner of police and others should be fired immediately. Are you guys saying that Tillman Thomas was unaware of the arrest of the union leader? Are we reliving the 1979 Revolution all over again? Why weren't Tillman Thomas briefed before the police mad such a move to arrest our union leader? Who the hell is in control of the security of the country? Where are Tillman Thomas's advisers? Or was that simply a political move on the NDC side to silence the Union Leader? Is the Union Leader backing NNP and you are trying to refrain the PM from what occurred? Who ordered the arrest of the Union Leader? Why was he arrested? Are you attempted to coverup something that we really don't know about? Where is the socal lazy Grenadian media on the issue?
