Windalco-NWU stalemate
published: Wednesday | March 8, 2006

Clive Dobson (foreground), president of the National Workers Union (NWU), and Norman DaCosta (right), a vice-president, leaving the Ministry of Labour, central Kingston, yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

THE NATIONAL Workers Union (NWU) yesterday refused to continue wage talks with officials from the West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) at the Ministry of Labour, insisting that the discussions continue at the local level.

According to Norman DaCosta, vice-president of the NWU, the proposed meeting was a "public relations façade".

But in a statement, Windalco's management said it did not plan to have any one-on-one meetings with Mr. DaCosta.

"That remains our position going forward on negotiations and all other issues," the release said. "This latest tactic by Mr. DaCosta is another cause for concern and only serves as a distraction from the key issue - arriving at an urgent settlement of the protracted negotiations."

Attempts to get a response from the ministry yesterday were unsuccessful.