Hundreds of government employees are unlikely to receive the union’s blessing for new terms and conditions until their job security and benefits have been fully secured, the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) insisted.
General secretary Richard Greene disclosed on Thursday that unionised workers have already been advised that representation continues on their behalf, to ensure they secure the best terms and conditions amid the proposed reforms.
Greene identified the pending amalgamation of social care services — the Child Care Board, the National Disabilities Unit, the Welfare Department, and the National Assistance Board — as one area among the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) being closely scrutinised before any transition to the umbrella organisation, the Social Empowerment Agency (SEA), is completed.
Last month, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey told Barbados TODAY: “There’s no pause. We have worked steadily with the union from the inception and all meetings with unions are routine almost now. We are receiving from staff if they have voluntarily agreed to come over to the new agency, with an outstanding amount officially saying they are joining. So, we have no real issue at the moment and will launch next month [November].”
But the NUPW leader said the process for restructuring the proposed umbrella body is still underway.
Greene told Barbados TODAY: “NUPW is currently reviewing the terms and conditions of service. But persons in the four institutions have started to receive an option form and an offer of employment with the new agency. That is nearing completion, and the union is hoping to complete the terms and conditions before the transition of all staff is complete.”
The amalgamation of the National Petroleum Corporation and the Barbados National Oil Company into the Barbados National Energy Company (BNEC) is still being reviewed by the NUPW, he revealed.
Greene said: “It is understood that workers at the two entities have also been receiving letters for continuous employment with the new agency, which is the Barbados National Energy Company. The union will continue to advise its members in these agencies.”
The Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL) and Barbados National Terminal Company Limited (BNTCL) have already completed the merger.
Speaking at a rebranding ceremony in April this year, Minister of Energy and Business Senator Lisa Cummins said the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) would be merged with the new entity later. But she insisted that staff did not have to fear job losses.
Regarding the social care services, Humphrey also said that nearly all staff from the four social service departments had volunteered to join.
(EJ)
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