The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, has reached out to the Government regarding negotiations with the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), following a protest at the campus on Tuesday morning.
The protest erupted outside the UWI’s Teaching and Learning Complex, almost interrupting the opening remarks of Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine as she led the University’s annual Campus Council Meeting.
A heavy UWI Police presence could be seen at the TLC building, which is situated obliquely opposite the UWI’s Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC).
OWTU Branch President Curt Stewart, who led the action, noted that the OWTU is representing at least 800 workers, including custodial staff, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
“We have three negotiations outstanding, going all the way back to 2015, and the last one is 2025. So currently, we are negotiating for 2015 to 2017 for monthly paid workers, and 2014 to 2016 for daily paid workers. A total disrespect, total disregard, and the workers have had enough and they are willing to do what it takes in order to bring this negotiation to a close. It’s been far too long.”
Mr. Stewart said he had been given a commitment by the Campus Principal and hopes their issues will be addressed.
“Our proposal is 6%, two years in the first year, two years in the second year, and two years in the third, with the consolidation of a COLA. Last week there was a similar exercise, and we would have gone to the Principal and she would have received the letter, and that is why we come to her this morning. She gave us an undertaking that next week she is going to come and meet with us . So we will wait and if nothing, we will continue to do what we must to ensure that we get redress and closure in these negotiations.”
Campus Registrar, Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, said the Campus reached out to the line Ministry regarding the protest.
“They did, what they referred to was the revised remit, the counter proposal that they sent. We did, as soon as we received it, we communicated with the Ministry and we are still awaiting feedback so that we could move forward with discussions. We did agree to meet with them next week.”
However, Mr. Stewart said he believes the University is “caught between a rock and a hard place.”
“The Government is giving them instructions, they are just, their hands are filled, but we can’t do anything about that. Our job is to ensure that our members get their just due because we came here every single day and produce. Just as the lecturers. If we don’t have cleaners, if the carpenters don’t do their job, if the mason doesn’t do their job, if the administrative assistants don’t administrate, if the technicians don’t go to the lab and assist students with their projects and stuff, nothing takes place.”
The UWI confirmed that the meeting with the Union is set to take place next week.