By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 17th January 2022) — A supervisor at the government-run environment cleanup Parks and Beaches Unit, Trevor Wallace, is of the view that the recent action of workers in bringing attention to complaints against a particular senior worker and having the matter heard has set a standard in St. Kitts as it relates to workers standing up for their rights. “People who cut grass have set a precedent here. We stood up for our rights and this is a precedent that has been set in St. Kitts that people have been mistreated for a number of years and people get fed-up and decided to take a stand,” he stated.
In strike action mode, Wallace and his fellow workers on Monday morning 17th January 2022, shortly after 8:00AM, left the work office compound on the Bay Road and walked to the Ministry of Health at Bladen’s Commercial Development carrying placards and making claims about mistreatment and unfairness. Upon arrival at the ministry, a response meeting was arranged and a decision came about before 12 noon. A meeting was held which included in attendance the Labour Commissioner Shernel James and the Permanent Secretary Delores Stapleton-Harris, and it was resolved — with a decision made to send the senior worker further on leave while a final decision is determined.
“We are satisfied with the decision and we prepared to go back to work because we have victory. We tired ah de behaviour of Mr. Nisbett — constant, over and over. What took place this morning is that workers were working under tremendous stress and I guess they’ll work with joy and get more result from them,” Wallace said. He offered advice for workers in general: “You must stand up for your rights. Don’t take knockbout from senior workers. Do your work and work to the best of your ability and don’t take knockbout from anybody. Don’t be disrespectful.” The Parks and Beaches employs over 100 workers who clean beaches, parks and schools in zones one to eight around the island.