BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRESIDENT of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Joseph O’Flaherty has made a call for workers to protect the gains that the body has made over the years and not to let their rights be trampled upon.
This comes on the heels of victimization claims made by the Opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party that a number of their supporters and persons who are deemed supporters have been fired from their jobs in various public sector agencies.
Addressing a gathering of marchers at the Patsy Allers Playfield yesterday (May 2), O'Flaherty said it is our time to recognize how the efforts of many helped in securing the rights of workers that are being enjoyed today.
He reminded that “it is a day for all of us to consider the need to protect the gains made over the many years as we work together to ensure that these rights are not eroded”.
“We take this opportunity on this Labour Day to urge you, who have not joined the union, to do so,” he added.
O’Flaherty suggested that workers should not believe for any single second that the Trade Union Movement is not relevant in today’s working environment, adding that workers today face a number of challenges with the change in the economic base of St. Kitts and Nevis from its sugar and culture drivers.
“We at the trade union remain committed to work that is being done to secure better work conditions for all workers in this country of ours.
“We are here to represent you in dealing with your problems that may arise at your workplace. And I say to you that it is important for you to be unionized and organized. The strength of any union is the numbers, because fighting the battle of one individual is much easier in solidarity of the many.”
Several stalwart of trade unionism in the Federation were acknowledged for their efforts in representing workers’ rights, including the late Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw.
“Indeed, there is a formidable list of individuals who have contributed to the Trade Union Movement. I believe however, that I must mention the enormous role the late Rt. Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw has played in this movement. This year we commemorate what we would consider the centennial birthday of Sir Robert; a man who arose out of the suffering of workers in the sugar industry.
“And as we celebrate the centennial birthday, we must be reminded of the struggles he faced on behalf of us all.”
