The Grenada Trade Union Council (GTUC) is expected to give full backing to its members serving on the Board of Directors of the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to resist attempts by the Keith Mitchell government to lay its hand on some of the money received from the sale of the Cinnamon Hill hotel.
According to a source close to TUC, there is no way in which the labour movement "would support government getting any of that money" since it is felt the funds belong to the workers of the country.
The NIS has reportedly made a tidy profit of $4.5 million U.S dollars on the sale of the hotel.
The scheme had earlier purchased Cinnamon Hill for US$3.5 million from the estate of the late Richard Grey and turned around and sold it for US$ 8 million to British investor, Peter de Savary.
NIS had originally entered into the purchase of the hotel as part of a deal it was working out with Jamaican hotelier, Gordon "Butch" Stewart.
The Mitchell government, through Health Minister Ann David Antoine has reportedly sent a letter to the NIS Board aimed at getting some of the millions from the sale of Cinnamon Hill.
The source said that the TUC would give its full backing to its two representatives on the Board - Madonna Harford of the Public Workers Union (PWU) and veteran trade unionist Stanley Roberts "to resist" the move by government to lay its hand on the money.
However, he was quick to point out that the two union officials would need the support of some of the other board members like the representatives from the private sector "to put up a good fight" on behalf of the workers.
The Mitchell government is said to be asking for 75% of the estimated 8 million U.S that was received by NIS from de Savary for the property.
The administration has allegedly given instructions for 25% of the money collected by NIS to be used to help pay off government's indebtedness to the scheme.
Government owes NIS millions in non-payment of workers contributions to the scheme in recent years.
It is also said to be demanding 50% of the funds to be placed into the Consolidated Fund for use by the State and the remaining 25% to remain with NIS for its own use.
The NIS board is still to take a vote on the government proposal.
