GBN WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB  

Workers at the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) returned to work last  Monday following the intervention of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell into an industrial dispute between management and the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).

Dr. Mitchell who is also the Information Minister intervened in the dispute last Friday. He called all parties to his official residence at Mt. Royal in order to seek an acceptable resolution to the dispute, which started on January 7th.

Close to thirty-five employees at the station took strike action after  the management of GBN issued retrenchment letters to ten employees on the grounds that the station was not making money due to a "sluggish Grenadian economy". Nether side was able to reach an agreement after two weeks of meetings involving the Union, Labour Minister Senator Lawrence Joseph and GBN management.

President General of TAWU Senator Chester Humphrey threatened to heightened industrial action if a solution was not reached by this week. Both sides have agreed to a compromise which paved the way for the striking workers to returned to work. One of the conditions was that the dismissal letters given to the workers be withdrawn.

Also the workers who were issued retrenchment letters will remain of the job for three months while being paid their full salaries. Both sides are scheduled to meet again during that time to finalise the retrenchment. Those who would not be taken back by GBN will receive another three months salary and their other benefits.