Strike still an option for NUPW

THE NATIONAL UNION of Public Workers (NUPW) has not ruled out calling a general strike in support of 13 people recently dismissed by the Barbados Investment Development Corporation (BIDC).

President of the union Akanni McDowall said today that they were prepared to engage in “serious industrial action” – and that could include a national strike – to settle the dispute with the BIDC.

The union has told the BIDC it must either rehire the 13, who are 60 years of age or older, or pay the group full salaries until the age of retirement (67) is reached.

Minister of Industry Donville Inniss, under whose portfolio the BIDC falls, has called for a meeting with the union tomorrow, but McDowall says that may have no impact on the union’s next move, which will be determined by its National Council later today. (TY)