“There is a concern right now about the impact of COVID 19, the possible reopening of the country, and what that would mean for the COVID fight. So, when I look at the road ahead, I see rough waters still (and) it will get more turbulent unless we change our course, and this must be placed squarely at the hands of the government. They are the ones who have reneged and violated the collective agreement.”

Those were the words of Labour Senator Andre Lewis, President of the Grenada Trade’s Union Council (GTUC), and the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (GTAWU), who commented on what has been dubbed the “tense” industrial climate in the country, brought on by a unilateral decision taken by the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration of Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, to defer payments of 4% salary and wage increases due to public officers this year, in an exclusive interview with Barnacle News on May Day 2021.

Lewis told the Barnacle that there is a “dire need” for the salary and wage increases to be paid to workers at this time, pointing to the significant economic challenges being faced by public servants as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are doing this (fighting for the 4%) because we have our members who are in dire need of this increase…It is extremely urgent, and this can be seen based on the industrial climate that we are speaking about. It must be convincing that it is urgent,” Sen. Lewis said.

“We have faced several price increases, and even for the argument that other people may have lost their jobs, well that’s true but, in the household occupied by public officers, they have had to take on more responsibility because they have had household members who have lost their jobs, and there is a  greater demand on their income.” he added.

The GTUC boss, further contended that while public workers have always made sacrifices over the years, these sacrifices have not been shared across the board.

“We have demonstrated as workers, that in this economic crisis we are prepared to sacrifice, and we have sacrificed,” he noted.

He recalled “during the structural adjustment programme period, 2014-2016, the unions were totally on board, we worked along with the government, and there were periods before that when we took one-off payments, and no increases. We are always prepared to make the sacrifice and we have demonstrated that. We must admit, however, that many times the sacrifices, are not shared sacrifices because what you would find happening is that the government has not gone across the board, and demanded that the private sector, share in the sacrifices,” he argued.

“Collection of taxes, for instance, we are aware that there are several self-employed individuals and professionals who are not paying taxes or are not paying the amount of tax that is due. So, it is not just economics, it is a question of relationship (and) involvement. Because we can have an economic crisis, and we need to sit down and discuss how best to advance the country.”

He said, that the government has never publicly “announced or a requested of the private sector, to be reasonable in their price mark up,” however, “they have a difficulty when we (the unions) make a demand for our wages, and our increases.”

Meanwhile, with vaccination happening at a slower pace compared to other countries within and outside of the Caribbean region, and amidst strong opposition from the GTUC to a new “government policy,” which mandates COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment within the private sector, which has received public support from Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, who has vowed to not pass laws that would make vaccination mandatory in the country, Labour Minister Peter David used the Labour Day platform to remind the GTUC, of the role to play in the fight against COVID-19.”

“Unless, we significantly reduce vaccine hesitancy, and radically ramp up our current vaccination levels, our economic situation will disintegrate, more jobs will be lost, recovery will be precarious, and even those who are fortunate to now have a job may become amongst the unemployed,” was the stern warning that comes from Min. David, who is known to be an advocate against social and economic injustice in the country.

“There ought to be no reservations or timidity, and all parties must cooperate,” added Min. David, who also announced that the 4% matter is expected to come before him for mediation.

However, the GUT boss told Barnacle News that while “the Government depends on us (the unions) to work along with them, and the private sector to do that (get workers to take the vaccine), the level of mistrust will not assist.

“And for us to get back on a sound economic footing as soon as is possible it requires all hands on deck, but it must not be done in a power-relation, where I am the Prime Minister, and I say this will not be done and it will be done on my timing,” he remarked.

As he addressed workers who converged at the Kirani James Football and Athletics Stadium to commemorate May Day, Sen Lewis said: “Today comrades, we the people of Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique are observing May Day, while facing, and battling two (2) pandemics, COVID-19 and the New National Party (NNP) government pandemic.

They are both crippling, and deadly (but) at least, with COVID-19, we can all wear masks, sanitise and physical distance as these have worked in the fight, but the NNP government pandemic has refused to pay public officers their negotiated salary increases (and) they boldly take away our 4% increases…we can’t take those things just so. 

The labour movement must be respected as the voice for the workers.”

Sen. Lewis told Barnacle News that as he sits at the top of the trade union movement, he sees a “continued approach to address the (many) challenges,” that they face. 

“And, I am confident that we will get out of it, that the workers have a deep sense of resolve,” he added.