I am pretty sure that most if not all persons will agree with me that it is common knowledge that ever since the emergence of Trade and Labour Unions, they have successfully fought for better terms and conditions for all workers, because they represent all workers interests thereby securing a wide variety of benefits such as higher wages/salaries for their members, including non-members.
Even though a majority of our members fully believe that those workers should help pay and protect all those benefits that have been won over many moons, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union continues to do its very best to ensure that all workers are protected at their workplace and their rights are not trampled upon. We are also quite aware that they are still misguided persons who are doing their very best to destroy the workers organization. However, that will not stop or hinder us from doing what is right on behalf of our members and by extension all workers because at the end of the day we all will be judged by how we care for people in general.
Additionally, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union have also secured work-life balance characterized by reasonable work schedules, job security and protection from arbitrary action by employers’.
Very careful research has shown us that in a September, 2012 essay on the CNN Website, Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile asserted that it is also due in part to Trade Union activity that discrimination in the workplace was outlawed, and that workers now have access to health care, safe working conditions and guaranteed Social Security Benefits.
When I read what Ms. Brazile said it brought to mind the type of love and commitment that the Labour Movement right here in our very beautiful country has for all workers here. It is because of that love and commitment why they fought to ensure that all workers had insurance through the National Provident Fund, later became the Social Security, even though remnant of the Plantrocacy/employers was against it and encourage their workers not to join the Fund. Oh what a magnificent Labour Movement that we have in this our very beautiful country. Oh It’s true! It’s Damn True! You better believe.
In addition, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union not only gave all workers dignity at the workplace, they have also consistently facilitated and enhanced welfare and standards of living condition for all workers as well.
We shall now look at unfair practices.
Here again the pages of history have clearly recorded that the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union has consistently check out the unfair labour practices of some employers right here in our very beautiful country.
In addition, we know for a fact that the International Labour Standards has consistently declared that it is unlawful for employers to dominate a Trades and Labour Union, discriminate against workers who engaged in lawful Union activities, victimize workers who file charges against them at Department of Labour or any other institutions that are recognize or given the authority to take care of industrial relations, or interfere with employees’ in concerted Trade Union activity.
Therefore, we fully believe if any employer who does any of the above prohibited acts, the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour will take up the matter with the competent authority, such as the Department of Labour or any other institutions including the Minister of Labour who is responsible for Industrial matters on behalf of its members.
Very careful research has clearly shown us that the Trade Union representing Boeing Co. engineers and technical workers filed charges against the company for interfering with workers engaging in concerted Trade Union activity.
That very same research went on to say that the Board of the National Labour relations Act (NLRA) has the power to investigate charges and may take a variety of actions, including issuance of cease-and-desist or reinstatement orders to remedy unfair treatment against workers.