THE EDITOR, Sir:
"DAMNED IF you do, damned if you don't". In recent years, the media, and the private sector have often lambasted and bashed the Jamaican union movement for allegedly being irresponsible and careless in their actions. Too often we heard how ill-led, and reckless the unions were; how bad unions were for business; How much of the union movement were dinosaurs.
One can easily remember the many editorials written about the UAWU in particular, whether it was about Goodyear, the prison warders, The Cable and Wireless Health Scheme, etc. What was always remarkable was the media's lack of follow-up reporting on these same issues. The fact that the management of Goodyear used the media to make it clear that the union was to be commended; or that the Cable and Wireless workers were vindicated by a special panel of the IDT; or that the warders, led by the union, were successful in retaining their jobs. Indeed, it has always seemed to me that union-bashing was almost a sport in Jamaica. Today, I am sorry to say, my suspicions have been confirmed.
We come now to the issue of the MOU signed by the Government and the unions, which will see a cap on salary increases and a commitment by the Government to retain 15,000 jobs at least for another two years. That is to say, 15,000 people, who would have otherwise had to lose their jobs, can rest a little easier at least for the next two years. To my mind any credible measure that will help to save the job of the average worker is commendable.
SCRAMBLED TO GET JOBS
Can the society handle the spectre of 15,000 more people becoming unemployed? Have we forgotten mere weeks ago when 4,000 persons scrambled to get 25 jobs at Air Jamaica? Do we have any idea how much the lack or loss of jobs impact on the already horrendous crime statistics? Has the media even bothered to investigate this?
No one can deny, and indeed, we have all been quick to point out, that in the current situation the Government has some very tough decisions to make. The union movement, recognising this, has shrewdly and tactically, moved to protect its membership and by extension the country, bearing in mind that 15,000 jobs could affect somewhere in the region of 50,000 people.
But what has been the response of so many, aided and abetted by the media? Scorn, suspicion, and cries of 'sell out!'! One wonders if nobody sees the irresponsibility inherent in these cries of 'wolf'! Where is the media now, rallying to the cause of the unions in recognition of the maturity and responsibility, indeed, the patriotism exhibited by the union movement? Where are the kudos for the enlightened leadership that could have recognised what needed to be done and then gone and did it? Non-existent! Talk about intellectual dishonesty! No wonder our people are so ill-informed when the media can be so hypocritical. I weep for my country.
I am, etc.,
GARFIELD HARVEY
Chairman, C&WJ/UAWU
Delegates Council
