ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada: Close to 100 workers at Cable & Wireless Grenada have begun wearing red ribbons to protest against what they claim are attempts by the new chief executive Ian Blanchard to get rid of their bargaining agent. The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) who represent the workers says in an unprecedented move Mr. Blanchard gave a three percent increase to workers on Wednesday despite salary negotiations are now before the Labour Minister. In a letter sent to Mr. Ian Blanchard on Thursday, TAWU’S President General Senator Chester Humphrey indicated, “Your action to surreptitiously make payments to our members ostensibly out of concern for their welfare is so blatantly cheap that it reveals the patently union busting gambit that it is”. He added that the payment was made without the notice or discussions with the union and while the matter is before the Minister of Labour. Humphrey warned unlike St. Lucia where Cable & Wireless has stripped the workers of their Union, it is not likely that it will be able to duplicate what he termed this sordid achievement here in Grenada. In a letter delivered to Cable & Wireless workers, the Chief Executive noted, “As you are aware we have not reached an agreement with the union and the matter is still before the Minister.” He added, “My responsibility is to you and the organization and an essential part of this responsibility is ensuring that you are looked after.” But TAWU has accused the company of resisting all serious improvements to pay and benefits now under negotiations. Humphrey noted that the thought that some dollars dangled in front of its members under the pretense of concern for their declining standard of living is transparently hypocritical. Humphrey has also written to Labour Minister Claris Charles on the issue claiming that the company has abandoned the principles of good industrial relations and opted instead to engage in anti-union activities. The union leader has indicated that his organization shall take the appropriate measures to respond to all union busting activities. TAWU has been representing workers in the telecommunication sector since 1958 and has had industrial battles in 1959, 1962, 1967 as well as 1991 and 2000. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com