Thousands of students from Primary schools to the island’s lone Tertiary institution are once again forced to remain at home. This stems from the actions taken by the public workers and teachers whose Union leaders have asked their membership to remain at home.

After a massive Rally yesterday where Trade Unionists, Union leaders and their membership came together to send the message to the nation’s leaders that they are not satisfied with the offer of 2% for pension and gratuity.

Although the fight to appears to be just on the part of the Unions, the Government has made the decision to deduct from the salaries of those workers who did not report for duty on specific days.
This news was not taken lightly by the Unions leaders, and resulted in heightened action being taken, hence the March and Rally.

However, the question that must be asked, and is yet to be answered, is “who is really suffering as a result of this?”

Both Radio and television programmes are being bombarded with callers airing concerns about the students not being able to attend school and remaining unsupervised at home. Students themselves have been complaining, especially those who are preparing for CSEC and CPEA.
One-fifth-form secondary school student, who appeared distressed while speaking to the Barnacle about the situation, said, “It is hard on us. We understand to an extent that teachers want pension, but why do they have to stay away from school at this critical time for us?”
According to him, he and most of his classmates, share similar sentiments, and they feel like they are the ones receiving the short end of the stick.

If this is the sentiment of the majority of fifth form students in our schools, then this should be of concern to us. But, who is to be blamed?

The ongoing issue is quite unfortunate for the nation as a whole, because if the Unions do not get what they are asking for, this industrial action can continue indefinitely.

Thankfully, the Government has withdrawn the injunction hearing, which was supposed to occur today Wednesday 21 November 2018. The injunction was against the Unions to bring out workers from essential services to join in on the industrial actions. The move to withdraw the injunction hearing comes on the heels of the massive rally and protest by the Unions.

Is it that the Government realizes the full potential of the Unions who appear to be adamant and blatantly refusing to accept the 2% offer? We may never know the actual response to this question. But, we are elated that the injunction was withdrawn, and Union leaders and Government are considering going back to the table.

We hope that one or both of the parties can come to a compromise very soon and that the workers of this country can return to their respective workplaces.