Labour Minister concerned following arrest of union leader

ST GEORGE’S, December 20, 2011 – Minister of Labour, Hon. Glynis Roberts, has said that she is concerned about any action that could worsen the industrial climate at the Grenada Breweries Limited (GBL).

The Minister made the statement Tuesday morning in response to reporters’ question about the arrest by police of Senator Chester Humphrey, leader of the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).

GBL workers took strike action last week in a wage dispute with the management of the company.

Negotiations between TAWU and GBL management, which were mediated by Labour Minister Roberts, led to an agreement for workers to return to their jobs by Monday night. They agreed to return to work while discussion on the wage dispute will continue and will involve senior executive from GBL’s Trinidad-based parent company.

“At this point, I do not know exactly what would have caused the police to arrest Senator Humphrey,’’ Minister Roberts said. “But it is always a cause of deep concern when police intervene in workers’ disputes and arrest anyone, particularly a union leader. It is not something that is treated lightly.’’

Mrs. Roberts said that prospects for a settlement between GBL and TAWU were “looking very good,’’ adding that she hopes that the police action against Sen. Humphrey “does not now push us into a full-blown strike.’’

SOURCE: Labour Ministry

Humphrey in Police Detention

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, December 20, 2011 - President of the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers’ Union is detained in the South St. George Police station following his arrest this morning outside the island’s lone Brewery owned by the Ansa Mcal Group in Trinidad.

Humphrey was at the time addressing dozens of workers at the gate of the Brewery who were locked out by the Company when they reported to work following a week long strike over pay and working conditions in talks for a new Collective Labour Agreement.

This development is expected to bring other workers under the Union into the issue unless the lock out by the Company is ended quickly.

SOURCE: TAWU