Walter Maloney, president of the NUPW did not mince words at emergency Press Conference held after the sacking of hundreds of employees from the National Conservation Commission. His ire was directly connected to the fact many of these lifeguards were with the NCC for years – either close to a decade or more than 10 years and his solution was simple, the board should leave instead {DESKTOP AND LAPTOP USERS PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING ICON – TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS? PLEASE CLICK ON MR MALONEY‘S NAME}

The NUPW President’s comments were sharp on the heels of General Secretary Dennis Clarke‘s observation how the job cuts while announced in December 2013 are nevertheless not following the procedure which Cabinet approved in accordance with standards set forth by the International Labor Organisation, the General Secretary sees the process of releasing staff with tenure as no less than “cherry picking” {DESKTOP AND LAPTOP USERS PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING ICON – TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS? PLEASE CLICK ON MR CLARKE‘S NAME}

The NUPW’s concerns were further exacerbated by the fact Thursday was a Public Holiday where many Bajans and visitors frolic at the beach, which now has fewer Lifeguards. The union plans to engage a 3 pronged attack including an early morning meeting with remaining NCC staff early Friday morning as well as a direct appeal to the ILO.

Mr Clarke carefully admonished the media the NUPW will only take drastic action when all avenues have been exhausted – Before seeking to march as was the case in 1991, the NUPW is meeting with as many affected parties as possible including the National Sports Council whose staff also feel under threat {DESKTOP AND LAPTOP USERS PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING ICON – TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS? PLEASE CLICK ON MR CLARKE‘S NAME}

The General Secretary of the NUPW told the Press Conference if any Senior Staff had blotches in their Employment Records which did not necessarly mean a summary dismissal, then the NCC did not use all options available to them in allowing both sides to follow the tenets of Cabinet {DESKTOP AND LAPTOP USERS PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING ICON – TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS? PLEASE CLICK ON MR CLARKE‘S NAME}

Meanwhile the Prime Minister is yet to convene a gathering of the Social Partnership (this is where the Unions, Government and Private Sector discuss taxation and employment matters as they affect the entire island), this is despte the fact the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations have made a renewed call in less than six months, as confirmed by CTUSAB’s own General Secretary – Dennis DePeiza who remains hopeful Freundel Stuart will hold a meeting in “the near future” {DESKTOP AND LAPTOP USERS PLEASE CLICK ON FOLLOWING ICON – TABLET AND SMARTPHONE USERS? PLEASE CLICK ON MR DePEIZA‘S NAME}