The powerful Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) has postponed for the time being threats of a possible shut down of the country over an impasse with Caribbean Consolidators Contractors (CCC).

The union, headed by Senator Chester Humphrey is at loggerheads with CCC on wage increases for an estimated 300 workers, and increases in a Savings Plan. The workers are engaged in several road construction projects mainly in the south of the island that is controlled by CCC.

TAWU has been accusing Labour Minister, Claris Charles of being negligent in her duties by failing to comply with the Labour Relations Act of 1999 and bringing the parties together. The situation was compounded when the Minister indicated that she would not meet with the union after Sen. Humphrey accused her of being “a liar”.

The TAWU boss continued to insist that the Minister was not speaking the truth that TAWU was invited to a session with CCC and did not attend on the grounds that it was otherwise engaged. The union wrote Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell warning him that the situation could deteriorate much to the detriment of the country.

TAWU warned the Grenadian leader that the current impasse with CCC “has the real potential for causing a serious deterioration in the industrial relations climate nationally...”.

“...The issue of impending industrial action is a matter of great national importance”, TAWU told Dr. Mitchell. “The union seeks your prompt intervention in this matter either directly or indirectly, to cause to be convened immediately a mediation meeting of the parties to the dispute. The situation is such that we owe it to the Nation to take all practical steps to avert a crisis”, the union added.

Labour union sources told this newspaper that TAWU was already in the process of sensitising workers in key business places that it represents on the island about the dispute with CCC. Sen. Humphrey had earlier indicated that any industrial action taken by TAWU would be “swift”.

Minister Charles finally agreed to meet with the union Wednesday in an effort to bring both sides back to the bargaining table. The source said that in light of the changed circumstances, TAWU has postponed for the time being any planned industrial action on the island.