A conciliation meeting held Thursday February 27, 2020 between the Management of the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) and officials from the National Workers Union (NWU)

under the Chairmanship of the Labour Commissioner (Ag) Cornelia Jn. Baptiste, ended on a positive note.

Mr. Johann M Harewood, Secretary General of the National Workers Union (NWU) presented the case for the NWU, while Mr. Claudius Quashie, a former representative of the St. Lucia Employers Federation presented on behalf of the Castries Constituency Council.

The Castries Constituency Council accepted that it has inadvertently caused the breach relating to the Labour Act. It further stated that it is prepared to reach an amicable settlement of the issue.

The NWU made it quite clear that in keeping with the Labour Act, job titles/positions and not individuals are made redundant and there is a procedure to be followed whenever redundancy is contemplated. The NWU further pointed out that the CCC’s decision was a clear sign of victimization and undermines the relationship that the NWU and the Castries Constituency Council has developed over the many years.

The Labour Commissioner (Ag.) made it clear that the decision of the CCC was null and void and supports the NWU’s position of reinstatement. The Council has agreed to accept the recommendations.

Mr. Harewood, NWU Secretary General, is of the view that some employers must stop employing individuals who are inept and do not have the capacity to perform within the industrial relations arena.

Both parties agreed that going forward they will meet periodically to resolve industrial relations matters.