The National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organizations (FITUN) and Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), in a press release issued yesterday, condemned the decision of Caribbean Airline Limited (CAL) to retrench 450 employees.

The three Federations have also condemned CAL’s refusal to recognize the workers’ representative union, Aviation, Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU); as such, the trade union federations have called on CAL to defer the retrenchment of employees.

According to the federations, CAL has failed to inform the union of its intentions and is duty-bound by law to engage in meaningful discussions with the recognized majority union (RMU) ACAWU. The Trade Union Federations blamed Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie for being biased in showing support to the employers of CAL and reminded him that under the Industrial Relations Act he has a responsibility to provide conciliation services, which requires it to always be impartial.
Reporter: Melissa Goodman.