GRENADA-Union accuses the postal corporation of violating workers’ rights.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Public Workers Union (PWU) has accused the management of the state-owned Grenada Postal Corporation (GPC) of engaging in union-busting tactics as well as violating sections of the Labour Relations Act

PWU president Brian Grimms told reporters that although the workers of the GPC have been represented by his union since late 2022, management, at a meeting with staff on December 27, demanded that workers sign a six-month contract to guarantee their jobs as of January 2024.

All workers at the GPC have a personalized contract, which expires on December 31.

“Some startling things were said to our membership by the management of the postal corporation at that meeting. They stated to staff in an intimidating fashion that if they do not sign the six-month contract, which has no increases, they, in principle, have forfeited their jobs,” Grimms said.

“We see this in no uncertain as union busting at the highest level because they are not engaging with the union on a new contract, and they are trying to intimidate the staff by saying they (the management) can do better,” he added.

Grimms referred to section 11 of the Grenada Constitution, which says, “Except with his consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.”

Grimms said that the GPC’s action violates workers’ constitutional rights.

He also referred to section 40 of the Labour Relations Act, which states, “Where a trade union has been certified as the exclusive bargaining agent for a bargaining unit, that trade union shall provide a full and proper representation of the interests of all employees in the bargaining unit concerning their rights under the collective agreement.”

Grimms said that section 41 of the Act allows negotiations to occur in “good faith.”

He said the GPC is claiming that a human resource audit, scheduled to be completed by December 31, is far from a conclusion. As a result, the management’s option to continue employing the workers is on personalized contracts.

“But the workers are represented by a union, and all we are asking for is an increase to the existing salary until the findings and recommendations of the audit are implemented. They are saying six months, but before you know it, it’s a year,” he said.

The only workers affected by a change in salary or wages are those currently receiving less than the new minimum wage, which goes into effect on January 1 next year.

The government recently approved that the minimum salary for a worker in Grenada will be EC$60 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) daily or EC$1200 per month.

There are workers at the GPC currently receiving EC$720 per month. The GPC falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Utilities, which is one of Prime Minister Dickon Mitch’s portfolios.