The retrenched workers of the National Conservation Commission (NCC) are one step closer to having their cases heard, as the nine members of the reconstituted Employment Rights Tribunal (ERT) convened their first meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Warrens Office Complex, on Friday.
High on the meeting???s agenda was the matter of the severed NCC workers, and it was decided that their cases would be compiled and catalogued by the ERT???s support staff in preparation for a second meeting on Wednesday, March 4, when the scheduling of cases would commence.
Chairman of the ERT, Hal Gollop, expressed his satisfaction with the selection of the members of the tribunal and the wealth of expertise which they each brought to the table. He further emphasised the need for speed and efficiency, and said that he did not expect any delays in hearing the cases of the workers.
Also in attendance was Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer, who stated that she was pleased with how the process was going so far.
???I am excited to say that all the members of the newly-formed ERT have already received their instruments and are ready to work. I echo the statements made by the Chairman, and I am very optimistic that they will be swift and efficient in their approach and that matters will be expedited accordingly,??? she added.
In addition to Chairman Hal Gollop, Government???s representatives on the Employment Rights Tribunal are deputy chairpersons Kathy Ann Hamblin and Ryan Omari Drakes. The Barbados Employers??? Confederation is represented by Edward Bushell, John Williams and Hartley Richards, and the Barbados Workers??? Union by Beverley Beckles.
The two remaining representatives of the labour movement were nominated by the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, and are Frederick Forde and Ulric Sealy.
jamal.hall@barbados.gov.bb