January 19, 2021
It may serve the leadership of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) well to begin paying greater attention to Senator Caswell Franklyn’s Unity Workers’ Union (UWU).
From our position in the public square, it appears that there is growing confidence in the fledgling UWU, and more specifically its leader, who has shown great tenacity and dogged commitment to the ideals of protecting the ordinary worker against exploitation by this island’s employers.
We would never argue that there is no place for an expanded number of trade unions. There is nothing wrong with choice. But after seven decades of stellar contributions to workers’ rights and empowerment, it is sad to witness the BWU’s apparent diminishing standing.
Prison officers claiming defamation of character against Govt authorities
Article by January 12, 2021
Three prison officers are in the process of filing two separate lawsuits against the Government of Barbados over COVID-19 related issues.
Industrial Relations Advisor to the Prison Officers Association of Barbados (POAB) and trade union leader Senator Caswell Franklyn disclosed today that the first action is one of defamation of character against the men whom Government officials had publicly said could not be found for testing for the virus.
On New Year’s Day, Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams made a call during a ‘live’ television and radio broadcast for the three to come forward for testing and urged anyone who knew of their whereabouts to encourage them to do so.
Article by Social Share
Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn is accusing Government of not being fully transparent with the public regarding the state of things at Her Majesty’s Prisons Dodds, after officers there tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus.
Franklyn, who is also a consultant with the Prison Officers’ Association, siad yesterday that for days some officers had been complaining of being ill. He added a number of officers were fearful of returning to work, contending that it was for this reason the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) had been called out to assist.
He was speaking ahead of a national address last night by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic, Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams and Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George. It was revealed that 45 people tested positive, 32 of whom were prison officers and four BDF soldiers.
Union leader suggests BDF take control of jail
Article by January 1, 2021
Measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Dodds and inmates throughout a five-day period of testing and contact tracing after two Prison Officers tested positive for COVID-19.
But the outspoken trade unionist who represents unionised wardens, Senator Caswell Franklyn, has called for the imposition of martial law on the prison amid claims of growing unease among guards.
“My suggestion is that the best thing for them to do now is to declare a State of Emergency in that area and ask the Defence Force to man the prison because they don’t have enough officers even without the threat of the coronavirus.
Article by Social Share
Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn says Government’s 2021 timeline for finally addressing the decades-old issue of a national minimum wage, is yet another example of the Mia Amor Mottley’s administration’s dim view of labour.
Franklyn, who heads Unity Workers Union, said the protracted issue of a liveable wage for workers deserved the same level of immediacy which Government gave to hoteliers during their ongoing severance bind. He argued that since the 1970s, the issue of a national minimum wage had been used as a proverbial carrot and stick dangled before the Barbadian working class.
“There has been talk of a national minimum wage going back to the 1970s when I was at school, but nobody has ever taken it seriously. It has been a talking point that politicians have used to make people feel good, and then they forget about them and this seems to me like more of the same,” he said.