CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

The Seamen, Waterfront and General Workers Union (SWGWU) Monday warned it was prepared to plunge the island into darkness during the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2007 if the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) does not solve outstanding grievances facing its members.

SWGWU president Alexis Alcide said the utility company has been violating the terms of its collective agreement and is refusing to discuss the matter.

But in a statement Monday, the power company said that the union was seeking to have it pay significant amounts of money to three employees who were not required to work during the period for which compensation is being sought.

Employee benefits

The union has also said that the company is refusing to pay employee benefits since the 1990s, but the company said it was working on paying the monies to the affected workers.

"We see no reasons why these matters should affect negotiations of a new collective agreement, which the union has withdrawn from until these unrelated matters are settled," LUCLEC said, calling on the union to apply the provision for dealing with disputes as contained in the existing collective agreement.

But the union said it would not budge on its position.

"We are not prepared to negotiate under duress or stressful conditions," said Alcide.

"We do not have any further discussion on the collective agreement until the two outstanding matters are resolved.

LUCLEC said it was surprised at the union's unilateral decision to break off negotiations, and claimed high standards and fair treatment of its employees.

The power utility said it was saddened by the apparent attempt by the union to bring the hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup into the ongoing negotiations.

St. Lucia will host a number of games in the Cricket World Cup that begins on March 5.