CATEGORY:LETTER TO THE EDITOR ---------------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA WEDNESDAY July 04,2007 by Zephyr (Editor's note: The views expressed in the following article represents those of the writer and not necessarily those of Grenadian Connection). Dear Editor, I will like you to grant me a space on your widely read website to express my views on a matter that has been boggling my mind for some time now. This matter deals with the industrial climate in this country and the attempts by some local elements to create discontent, disunity and unrest among the population. The American Heritage Dictionary defines ‘terrorism’ as “the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.” I look at this definition and could not help but reflect on the activities, actions and pronouncements of a local trade union leader who spends more time on national television than any other union leader in the country and perpetually (it would seem) ‘threatens’ to take ‘industrial actions’ that could be very disruptive to our economy and can have serious and far-reaching negative effects on a wide cross section of the country’s population. Could this be seen or interpreted as a form of ‘industrial terrorism’? This trade union leader has not been quiet about his intense dislike for the ruling New National Party and his preference for the opposition National Democratic Congress. The questions I ask myself are: How many of these ‘industrial issues’ really warrants the sort of strike actions that are frequently alluded to? How many of these ‘threatened’ industrial disruptions are rooted in political motives? Is this particular union leader really acting in the best interest of his members all the time or is he using them, in some well- disguised cases, to fulfill a broader political agenda? What are the gains to be derived from plunging the entire country into a sea of industrial unrest? There are many other unions in the country and I must say that when they call on their membership to take industrial action, I am usually in agreement with them, because it would seem that they have exercised patience and good judgment along the way and are acting in the best interest of their workers they represent and the country at large. I do not think I have heard any of the other union leaders vociferously ‘attacking’ a political party in this country, agitating for a change in political administration or voicing personal preference for one political party over another. They come across as being very ethical, honest and genuine in the causes that they fight and stick to fighting the issues that impact their members. My advice to this trade union leader is to concentrate his energies towards fighting for the causes of his members – as he did under previous administrations – and not lose his focus and credibility because of personal grudges, hatred or political ambitions. Alternatively, he can hand over leadership of HIS union to his very capable deputy and contest a seat in the next general election, who knows, he might just get his wish!!