President General of the Barbados Workers Union, Hugh Arthur, cutting the ribbon to declare the $1 million annex to the Union's solidarity House headquarters open.

by JULIE WILSON

THE BARBADOS WORKERS UNION (BWU) has blasted the brazen attempts of some employers who "block" their workers from joining a trade union.

President General Hugh Arthur made this call again while addressing the BWU 65th annual delegates' conference at Solidarity House.

Arthur said such a situation should not exist in 2006.

"We are still confronted by the repugnant actions of some Barbadian employers who resist trade unionism and who dismiss workers because of their desire to join a trade union of their choice.

"This should not be the case in 2006."

He likened the experiences of the BWU in its 65th year to Charles Dickens' classic novel – A Tale of Two Cities – a story about the best and worst of times.

He also cited the brutal murders in Guyana in which four pressmen were shot to death at work, and the bloody crises in the Middle East as a source of concern for the union.

Arthur said these acts of violence were unnecessary and must be characterised as the worst of times.

Added to this, the trade unionist also expressed concern about human trafficking, spiralling land prices and migrant labour.

Arthur said a resolution must be found to deal with the dehumanising issue of human trafficking which, according to him, has tainted the reputation of the Caribbean.

"We cannot, as a Christian people or as responsible citizens, turn a blind eye to the putrid practice in the trade of human flesh. This and other issues are matters which this trade union and this conference will deal with."

He said the 65th year of the BWU was also characterised by several positives.

Arthur said the contributions of the forefathers – Sir Frank Walcott and Sir Hugh Springer and Sir Grantley Adams – the founding fathers of the institution who worked vigourously to advance the cause of labour and to spread democracy in Barbados.

He also used the opportunity to applaud General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman who will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies at the graduation ceremony in October.

He urged younger trade unionists to emulate the feat of these noble men.

"I take this opportunity to appeal to the younger generation of trade unionists – the younger delegates and shop stewards. Don't be put off by our small size or by the challenges we face.

"We must muster the faith and courage to build on the rich legacy of Adams, Springer, Walcott and Trotman.

"None of them was ensnared by the short-lived fascination of greed and blind ambition – their preoccupation was to give service to their fellow-men, and they did this at tremendous cost to health and wallet."