The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers¹ Union is very concerned about the hostile anti-union behavior of Consolidated Contractors Company in recent times.

The company has been engaging in anti-union activities - over the last few weeks the Company has been giving out individualised Contracts to employees of its construction crew when it knows fully well that the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers¹ Union holds a valid certificate of recognition to represent and to bargain for these workers.

During our last Collective Agreement negotiations the Company failed to include its monthly staff for any of the negotiated benefits which includes wage increases.

The Company has also refused to deduct Union Dues for the monthly staff - they have also bluntly refused to sign the Industrial Contract for the period January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005.

The Company¹s reason for not signing the Contract is due to the fact that they want certain Articles to be removed from the Contract. The Articles referred to were not part of our last round of negotiations.

Two of the above matters have been referred to the Minister of Labour since December last year but up to now the Minister has taken no decisive action in accordance with her statutory duties to get the issues resolved.

Some views have been expressed that there is a special relationship between CCC and Government.

The Company had also tricked a number of workers into resigning in order to get their Leave Pay after Ivan and has not taken back some of these workers.

The Labour Ministry found that this was a breach of Labour practice and up to now the meeting which the Company should have called with the Minister to address this issue has not yet happened.

NEW PROPOSALS

The Union has sent in new proposals for a new Collective Agreement to the Company. The proposal covers the period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. Already workers would have EIGHT MONTHS BACK PAY TO GET.

Matters down for upgrading are as follows:

Wages:

Union proposes the following:

Year 1 - 10 %

Year 2 - 10% Year 3 - 10%

Injury Compensation - Union proposes $200,000.00 instead of $100,000.00 - 100% increase more.

Savings and Savings Contribution - Union proposes to move the Company savings of 2.5% to 7.5%

Meal Allowance is moved from $25.00 to $30.00

New - Call out and Call Back Allowances - $30

Health Insurance - Union proposes 70% by the Company and 30% by the employee.

The Union is also working on reclassification of employees; all of the above will form part of the negotiating package for the upcoming period.

UNION WRITES COMPANY - COMPANY FAILS TO RESPOND The Union has written two letters to the Company to which they have failed to respond.

The first letter was written on June 19, 2006 in respect to violation of Article 17 subsection 4 WHICH SAYS: It is agreed that the Company shall furnish the Union a monthly written report of the Savings Plan showing the accumulated saving for each worker, both his contribution and that of the Company).

From the inception of the plan to date the Company has not provided the Union with a single report and we are still awaiting a response from the Company to our letter of June 19th, 2006.

The Union also wrote to the Company one month in advance on June 12, 2006 requesting time off to address employees at Mt. Hartman, Asphalt Plant and Woburn on July 12, 2006.

On July 4, 2006 when no response was forthcoming the Union¹s Organising Secretary paid a visit to the Company¹s head office and spoke to Jean El Moussa who said that a response will be had by mid week.

On Friday 7, the Union called to speak to Mr. El Moussa on the matter but he could not be reached and instead spoke to Mr. Mazen T. Stafanou who said that he will inquire into the matter and will call the Union, but the Union have not received a response or call from the Company on the matter.

On Monday 10, the Union tried to reach Jean El Moussa but his office said that he would be involved in a meeting for the entire day and he would not be able to be reached.

On Wednesday 12, the Union had to abort the meetings since there was no response.

WORKERS OF CCC STAND FIRM IN FACE OF THESE NEW TRICKS USED BY CCC.

STAND FIRM WITH YOUR UNION, JUSTICE MUST BE WON!

MORE STRUGGLE & MORE BENEFITS ARE COMING UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!

(Submitted by the Technical and Allied Workers Union of Senator Chester Humphrey)