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'Stop the games'
GENERAL SECRETARY of the BWU, Sir Roy Trotman: No time to play political football.
Published on: 2/8/2010.
POLITICAL PARTIES must stop playing games with Barbados' economy if the poor man is to survive.
At the Barbados Workers' Union (BWU) mid-term meeting yesterday at Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St Michael, General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman accused the major parties of "political footballery" with the serious issue of the current global economic downturn, which he said was worse than the crisis of 1991.
"Many persons have not even waited for the referees to turn up, but are making the issue a political football - which cannot help Barbados.
"What I don't want anybody to believe is that by politicising this matter they are going to do anything other than put Bees [Barbados Labour Party] in one corner; Dees [Democratic Labour Party] in another corner; PEP [People's Empowerment Power] in
a third corner; NDP [National Democratic Party] in a fourth corner.
"And then people are not going to treat the issue as one where Barbadian workers are suffering and want a solution that satisfies everybody, but rather who will take a partisan position," Sir Roy said.
The union leader made reference to the late vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor Rex Nettleford, who he said was highly active in the political landscape of Jamaica during the heights of Michael Manley's power, but when it came to the advancement of his people, looked and moved beyond politics to help his fellow Jamaicans.
Sir Roy stressed that the BWU was not interested in getting help from entities which were pursuing a political agenda and wanted to tell the union what was best for the people.
"We don't want any political help running the BWU
. . . . [neither has] the Government invited us to discuss how it wants to treat the economy or invited the trade union movement to assist in any policy framework discussions. Don't let this business of 'footballery' take over your minds. Join with the BWU to give cushioning to those who cannot absorb any more increases," he said. (CA/KB)
10 comment found!
: 2/8/2010
"STOP THE GAMES!" I beg your pardon, but who said that? Wow, smoke in our eyes!
Retired.
Really!!!! : 2/8/2010
It is not political parties that must stop playing games. Perhaps the Union should take its own advice.
Union help elected the DLP and seem to feel that they must keep it in office : 2/8/2010
Sir, Barbadian workers are suffering because their Union is weak and they Union officers are cheerleader for the government. Union officers help get the DLP elected and seem to be of the view that they now have a duty of care to keep the DLP elected. Perhaps this explains why the Deputy General Secretary of a Union is now the Director of a statutory Board.
Of Public Service Betrayal and Credibility : 2/8/2010
Why is the Union so eagar to agree to an IMF wage freeze when all it will take for a 3% wage increase - is less than the combined amount which the DLP gave away to Clico and to the Turf Club? According to its constitution, isn't the BWU a political organization? Isn't Leroy Trotman a Senator? Isn't it true that last election, a number of senior union officials canvassed for and were campaign Managers for DLP Candidates? Isn't it true that the deputy general secretary of the NUPW is now on secondment at the UDC, as it Director for two years? This is why the pain is real but why a wage freeze is a "done deal."
Government price gouging on land tax and petroleum prices. : 2/8/2010
The Union is lost and just does not get it. In 2008 when the BLP left office, a barrel of oil on the world market was US$104. Today as I write - it is US$$71.82, yet Barbadians are paying more at the pump now than then. Commodity price have also gone down significantly on the world market yet prices locally have gone up - thanks to the DLP and the Union, which kept quiet on a 60% water increase as well as on the DLP pricing policy on energy. It will not surprise me if the union increase its due soon also.
Economic Downturn? : 2/8/2010
Every commentator is very careful to blame Barbados' economic woes on the 'global economic downturn' I note with glee. But I beg to differ. For example, we had subsidized fuel, our PM said we need to let the price of fuel flow with the world market, so the govt sent up the prices.
This year, the price of oil on the world market continued its DOWNWARD slide, yet fuel in Bim GONE UP (twice)! What has that got to do with the global economy?
Mr James Paul MP, sits in our Parliament, he knows that the cost of chicken in Barbados is 30% higher than it ought to be. Islands that import chicken get it cheaper than we do, even though we are self sufficient in chicken production. How is that affected by a 'world economic downturn'?
I cannot see that pointing out these simple facts have anything to do with political footballery! I cannot understand why we have got on this foolish place where political parties are now supposed to be neutral, that is nonsense. Both PEP and BLP have a right to say they can do better.
Hush : 2/8/2010
Don't know 'bout C/W but workers at Sandy Lane and Royal Shop got what they deserved
Leadership : 2/8/2010
In times of crisis our characters are not so much built as they are revealed. Barbados, like the rest of the world, is suffering from the impact of the current economic downturn and is in dire need of leadership to steer the economy clear of the abyss. This is not a time for politics as usual, but a time for statesmanship of the highest order. Anyone who would seek to turn such a perilous situation into a partisan issue should be marginalised. Parties will rise and fall, but the nation must be preserved for the benefit of all.
Hush : 2/8/2010
What is the latest about the workers at Cable and Wireless, Sandy Lane and the Royal Shop?
ECON-OMY : 2/8/2010
Barbados will see that following whims and request from the west for tourism has caused this tremendous crash around the world. Barbados like the other islands in region were for the planting of crops. While its good to diversify, its better to have a contingency plan. Good planting land has been built on to satisfy the wealthy. BAJANS going back home tend to stay with family so..I ask myself why everyone was so hype about developing mostly all their good land for tourism. There is a more desperate need to house the homeless. Why do BAJANS need to import food (apart from things that we can't grow or make ourselves)
Look'ere man, In europe the same problems are happening because of speculation that only paid the few. Everyone is struggling and its time for new initiatives instead of rehashing old failed ones. If people don't deal with the facts and realities of the problem this will happen time and time again!
The banks are unrepentent at their big bonuses and the so is the TEEFING british government over their expenses. they don't feel no shame.
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