From left: One of the directors of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), Dean Straker; President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Akanni McDowall; General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Toni Moore; President of the BPSA, Charles Herbert; and President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), Mary Redman, speaking following yesterday’s press conference at the BSTU’s Belleville, St. Michael headquarters, to announce next Monday’s joint march.
THE island’s trade unions and the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) are calling on Barbadians to march with them on Monday, July 24.
The joint march is being staged to allow the wider public to demonstrate its support of the unions’ fight to get Government to review the controversial National Social Responsibility Levy.
Barbadians are being encouraged to assemble at Queen’s Park at 10 a.m. to participate in the united march.
Speaking during a press conference at the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), Belleville, St. Michael headquarters yesterday, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) Toni Moore, assured that the exercise would not cause any disruption of the operation at the ports of entry, hotels, or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
The General Secretary noted that the objective is to achieve dialogue with Government.
Nevertheless, President of the BPSA Charles Herbert, who was also present at the press conference, admitted that “there will be some disruption” as the private sector will be asking members, where possible, to close their businesses, to make their employees available to participate in the march.
“We are trying to give a sense of priority to the fact that it is Kadooment and we do not want to interrupt tourist arrivals and the tourist experience for Kadooment,” Herbert said.
“Nobody knows who is going to march until they show up to march. We are expecting full and massive support. We hope that if there is massive support that the Government will find it desirable to meet with us urgently,” the President added.
However, Moore said she believes there will be a sufficient show of support from the public on Monday, “to have the kind of response that Barbadians need at this time”.
“It is not about the private sector or trade unions as organisations. The show on Monday is really for people who care about their country, who care about our future viability, who care about themselves and that is what we are calling for,” Moore said.
Moore said additional information regarding the march will be made available to the public as plans are put in place. (AH)