THE RECENT strike action taken by the National Workers Union (NWU) at Alpart is one of several trade union imbroglios that have sent shock waves through Jamaica's bauxite industry in recent months.
In fact, all three unions associated with the industry, the NWU, the Union of Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP), and the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU), have taken or threatened industrial action at Alpart, Jamalco, Windalco, and St. Ann Bauxite Company over the past six months.
While the issues raised by the unions are of genuine concern in the present economic environment, the unfolding events underlined by strikes and stand-offs could suggest a tenuous future ahead for the industry Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed to in 1998.
The preamble of that MoU, signed by the Government, the companies and the unions, unequivocally states "the parties to this MoU wish to pursue the objectives of developing the bauxite/alumina industry and enhancing its international competitiveness so that the industry may grow ... to the benefit of all parties."
That understanding came with expectations of adherence to a supportive code of conduct that would distance wage negotiations from the kind of stridency and allegations, which characterised the approach to last week's disagreement with Alpart.
The current undertone of disquiet that has surfaced in the sector in recent months suggests there is undue strain developing between the parties to the MoU, and a discernible shifting from the promulgated code of conduct.
If that were the case then the situation raises serious national concerns, as much is at stake when the stability of a key industry that depends on uninterrupted production flow is placed on stop and start.
At this time the stakeholders - all of them - must return not only to the bargaining table, but also to the objectives and principles of the MoU which created an advantageous position for maintaining stable foreign exchange inflows guaranteed from investor confidence and industry sustainability.
There will be more at stake to any remedial approach than the economic imperatives of the country. Implicit in this regrouping is the need to preserve the basic tenets of labour relations practices, including the protection of workers' rights, human resource development, mutual respect, trust, and in case we forget, compliance with the Industrial Relations legislation.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
