Earlier this year, the GAWU, following an application to the TURCB, was deemed as the bargaining agent on behalf of the workers of Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI). The Company which is charged with the operation of the Skeldon Estate power plant is jointly owned by NICIL and GPL and employs approximately 100 persons. Following the receipt of our Certificate of Recognition from the TURCB, we wrote the Company to inform of our status. At that time, we sent an appropriate draft agreement which could form the basis for discussions to formalize our relations. The Company neither responded nor even acknowledged our correspondence. We again reminded the SEI of our status and sought an engagement to begin discussions. While our latter correspondence was acknowledged, the situation remains unchanged.
As a result of the state-owned company’s attitude, we again sought the intervention of the TURCB to address the matter. We understand that the Company also wrote the TURCB and an appropriate response was to be sent by the TURCB. Separately, our Union, through our Attorney-at-Law, has written to the Company to point out that its refusal to engage us is not in keeping with the law. The Company did pen a response and our attorney is awaiting certain information before further action is taken. For us, it is disappointing that a Company, owned by the State, is refusing to allow its workers to become unionized. We understand that one of the senior officials of the Company had threatened the workers on the matter. It is sad that after so many years of fighting for the right to join unions, workers are being intimidated when they exercise their Constitutional rights. The fact that such behaviour exists in this 21st Century is appalling and brings into question whether certain employers are a throwback to a dark past.
