THE EDITOR, Sir:

On Tuesday, December 12, while listening to the trade union leaders representing some workers of the Jamaica Public Service, I was brought back to the period of 1938, which saw industrial disturbances across the island and the adversarial nature in which some of these disputes were resolved.

Workers at the time were incited to take up arms in defending their rights and have their voices heard. While many positives came out of that period, including the formation of the island's major trade unions, many negatives, for example the precedent that violence and crudeness is a viable means of settling disputes, persist even today.

For some trade union leaders to advocate violence and threaten reprisals in settling disputes run counter to the principles of collective agreement and the guidelines in Jamaica's Labour Relations Code of 1976.

Attitudes

Perhaps some of our union leaders may want to look at how their attitudes impact the practice of labour relations, and the interest that workers are likely to show in becoming members. Could it be that the craft and skill they bring to the bargaining table date back to 1938?

In a country that is engulfed by violent crimes, leaders at all levels of the society must seize the opportunity to introduce a paradigm shift in how conflicts are resolved.

The dynamics of industrial relations are no longer tied to local factors, but are influenced by global forces that require new insights, postures and strategies.

Trade union leaders and all interests in labour relations must therefore raise the bar of conduct in order to not only wrest our society from poverty and crime, but to also capture the imagination of a people so badly in need of a new direction.

I am, etc.,

MARK MCKENZIE

43 Charlemont Drive

Kingston 6