Sir Roy Trotman - General Secretary of BWU
It is no secret substantive General Secretary of the National Union of Public Works (NUPW) Dennis Clarke is battling a serious illness. His condition has led to the Executive of the NUPW elevating other officers to carry on the day to day business of the union.
It therefore comes as a surprise to read the following communication which has been circulated to employees of the Customs Department. Bear in mind Barbados Workers Union (BWU) represents Customs Guards and NUPW represents the other workers at Customs.
BU understands that managing a union is akin to running a business and the harsh economic times must be negatively affecting union membership and dues. However, the kindred spirit which should exist between the two largest unions functioning under the umbrella arrangement of CTUSAB leaves a stink in the air.
ELEVEN-ELEVEN-ELEVEN
11—–11—–11
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 11th : –11/11/11
IS THE DATE FOR A BIG MEETING
AT SOLIDARITY HOUSE
5PM
ALL WORKERS OF THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ARE INVITED–ALL WORKERS- EVERYBODY-
THIS INCLUDES UNION MEMBERS, NON UNION MEMBERS, GUARDS, OFFICERS, SENIOR , JUNIOR MESSENGERS, DRIVERS, ACCOUNTS STAFF, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND GUARDS, TERMINAL 1 WORKERS, TERMINAL 2 WORKERS, WARRENS WORKERS, SHED 2 WORKERS, SHED 3 , SHED 4, BAGGAGE HALL, PORT ST.CHARLES, ALL EXCISE WORKERS –ALL WORKERS- EVERYBODY -EVEN MS GAMBLE CAN COME BECAUSE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE BAD AND INDIFFERENT PAYMENT OF MONIES WILL BE DISCUSSED AND POSITIONS TAKEN ON THE WAY FORWARD.
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NON APPOINTMENT,
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NON REGRADING OF CUSTOMS
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MANY OTHER ISSUES
YOU CANNOT MISS THIS MEETING
YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON THIS MEETING
REMEMBER 11/11/11-ELEVEN ELEVEN ELEVEN
THIS MEETING IS ORGANIZED BY THE CUSTOMS GUARDS DIVISION OF THE BARBADOS WORKERS UNION (BWU) IT IS IN YOUR INTEREST TO ATTEND.
LETS SEE HOW SERIOUS WE ARE ABOUT ISSUES
STANDBY FOR FURTHER UPDATES.
Vivian Waterman
ELEVEN-ELEVEN -ELEVEN MEETING
Scripted and Presented by
Vivian Waterman on behalf of BWU -Customs Division.
Barbados Underground 
I seem to recall an old saying, “There is no honour among unions”. Some how I think that I got that wrong.
To demonstrate how the union is a business note how how the meeting is being advertise on the back of the hook – 11.11.11.
David
Business or not, there are certain ethical standards that must be maintained. BWU and NUPW are colleagues in CTSAB, and you do not openly poach your colleagues’ membership. When I worked at NUPW, officers who recruited membership were left with no doubt that you should not try to take away BWU’s member. However, it was ok if they approached NUPW.
both unions are the same. they work on behalf of the employers not the employees.
with the IMF suggesting a 2 year wage freeze and sinckler hinting indirectly, i would like to see if the nupw would allow us to have a no salary increase, from 2009 ’til all like now and then come and agree that we would have to accept a wage freeze. from what year? as far as i am concern, the public servants had a wage freeze from 2009.
dennis clarke should have been out ever since. if he refused to bow out, then nature would dictate that he does. i hope the others who are there fighting for power would be observing.
this government is telling immigration officers who were in posts for 5 years, that their posts would be advertised and they have to apply like anyone else for them!!!!!!!!!. can’t wait for 2013.
why should public servants with degrees who are in non-degree posts, have to sit a written exam for the post, inspite of the fact that they were acting in the job for 5 years. shouldn’t the fact that they have a degree pre-empt them from such? t the post is a NON DEGREE post and the person in the post holds a degree – are the rules now changing? can’t wait for 2013
The issue of a wage freeze for public service is interesting, it is unfortunate that the sacrifice by public service maybe forgotten as the conversations moves to layoffs.
@David
no one remembers.