Daily paid workers attached to the Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) were back on the picket line Tuesday to protest their grievances with management.

The workers, backed by the powerful Technical and Allied and Workers Union (TAWU), downed tools once again days after a so-called settlement was reached between the employee and the union on their grievances.

The union called out both Port and Bus Terminus workers in solidarity protest to fight this managerial tyranny that is bearing down on them.

Armed with placards, the workers assembled close to the Fire Station on the Carenage, and chanted songs which expressed their disgust with management.

Some of the placards read: All we Port workers want is financial justice and good working conditions; Breaking News!! Port workers under Attack. Help! Help!! MAD MAN AMBROSE!!; Slavery still exists in this modern world.

Others read: MR PM who the port for, Ambrose Phillip or the people of Grenada?; The Port Authority is not your own, we are workers just like you, Ambrose the Port is not your private company;  The real terrorist, Ambrose Phillip holding the port at ransom; and Doctor Promote Ambrose to CEO - (C - cigarette, E - eating, O - officer).

The workers protested under a banner which read, Port Authority celebrates 25 years of slavery while chanting the Union's solidarity song.

Last week Wednesday, port workers represented by TAWU downed tools after management issued letters to ten (10) daily paid employees indicating that, given the exigencies of the operations, their services would not be required on Thursday and Friday of that week but that they can report seeking work on Monday.

The Ministry of Labour was forced to intervene in the matter and a decision was reached in favor of the union and workers.

GPA claimed that the letter sent to the workers was misconstrued, since termination of their services was not contemplated by the Authority.

The authority pointed out that in the interest of non-confrontation and industrial peace, the letters sent to the workers would be withdrawn.
President-General of TAWU, Senator Chester Humphrey disclosed that there are workers employed by the Ports Authority for the past 21 years whose contract of employment keeps them as daily paid workers.

How wicked can this one man be, Humphrey said in making reference to the GPA manager. Humphrey is adamant that the time has come to put an end to this grave injustice on the port.

He warned that the style of management emanating from the port has to come to an end and if the Board of Directors fail to do it then the union will effect the necessary changes.

GRENADA TODAY was unsuccessful in its attempts to get a comment from the Port Manager.