CATEGORY:INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE ---------------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA FRIDAY July 13,2007 by Wallace J.A GRENADA: The ongoing saga between the Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (TAWU) and the Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) has taken another twist. According to information reaching the Grenadian Connection (GC) news desk, the GPA intends to appeal to the local court to seek the removal of Mr. Trevor Xavier as the appointed arbitrator for TAWU. The GPA and TAWU have been locked in a bitter industrial dispute over the collective bargaining agreement for port workers represented by TAWU. The disagreement has been ongoing for well over seven months. The matter is presently at the stage where an Arbitration Tribunal is being set up so as to bring some closure to this protracted dispute. Earlier on this week, the Labor Minister requested that both parties submit the names of persons to form the Arbitration Tribunal to her by Thursday July 12, 2007 (yesterday). The tribunal should comprise of three persons: one person nominated by the each of the two parties and third person (chairman) to be mutually agreed upon. The GPA is seeking the removal of Mr. Xavier as one of the arbitrators under Sec. 12 of Cap. 19 of the Arbitration Act. The Port Authority alleges that Mr. Xavier is an employee of TAWU and believes that this may affect his neutrality and lack of prejudice in dealing with the settlement of this very sensitive issue. It is believed that the GPA has already informed the Labour Minister, through official correspondence, of its intention to bring the matter to court.