VI: No history of unions- Julian Willock
This was one of the viewpoints brought out on the radio programme Straight Talk on radio ZBVI 780AM with host Donald E. deCastro and guest Mr Julian Willock, a former Permanent Secretary, on May 11, 2016.
It was also highlighted during the candid discussions between the two gentlemen that labour unions have found it hard to take root in the Virgin Islands because it is not a part of the territory’s political culture.
Labour Unions ‘necessary’
Mr deCastro had lamented that persons in the VI were not in favour of joining a union or a movement that is geared at “making this community better for all of us.” He noted that himself and others started the Virgin Islanders for Virgin Islanders movement in 1980 and then the Virgin Islands Union in 2004 but both did not gain momentum.
He also said he heard on local television recently that workers were reluctant to join unions for fear of getting fired, but noted that this should not be so since the Labour Code allows for unions to be established in the Virgin Islands.
“Regardless of which political party is in power, we need to keep them responsive and in line.”
Mr Willock said he was in support of unions and the protection of workers’ rights. “Too often in this little Virgin Islands workers are mistreated and abused…there is a whole laundry list of things and unions are necessary.”
He noted, however, that unlike some other Caribbean countries, unions don’t form a part of the Virgin Islands political culture. In fact, he said the National Democratic Party (NDP) emerged mainly from the business class while the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) was formed with the objective of making sure there was a middle class and that everyone could benefit and play a part in nation building.
Against the VI political culture
Mr Willock was also of the opinion that Mr deCastro was against the VI’s political culture where unions were concerned.
Turning to the example of St Kitts and Nevis where most of its political leaders emerged from labour movements, Mr Willock said ‘we do not have the luxury in our political system to have those political movements that drive those bargaining power, drive those negotiations, and protection of people. They were derived from fighting for the rights of the people.”
Labour Dept has evolved to act as a union
Meanwhile, Mr deCastro said he has had a problem with the Labour Department in the past and that labour unions were especially needed since “the Labour Department cannot settle every case.”
Mr Willock explained, however, that the reality is that in the Virgin Islands the Labour Department now has to almost act as a union by fighting for workers rights. “I don’t know if that is necessarily their role. I know they have some obligations under the International Labour Organisation.”
According to Mr Willock, the role of the Labour Department is now about processing work permits and trying to resolve labour disputes. He said the Department should, and is now attempting to, focus also on promoting health and safety in the workplace, better payment and other benefits.
Nevertheless, Mr Willock was of the view that the Labour Department serving as a union does not always work in the best interest of workers.
“This situation has happened because the Virgin Islands’ social and political culture has not been one of unions.”
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