THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) said it has noted the responses of Mr. Robert Badal the Managing Director/Owner of the Pegasus Hotel to the FITUG protest against his union – busting techniques at that work-place. “FITUG also recognised a letter to the press by a Badal – sympathiser who threw in the usual red-herring arguments.  These anti-union sentiments merely strengthen FITUG’s resolve to demonstrate solidarity with its affiliate, the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU).  For Mr. Badal’s technique of coercing workers to virtually de-recognise a union of their choice is not new.  He did the same subtly or openly, at his stockfeeds outfits.  The tactic is to use both anti-union agreements and increased monetary incentives to persuade workers to abandon their unions,” a release from the umbrella trade union body said.
It added: “Badal is less than honest about a Pension Scheme at the Pegasus and it would be interesting to see some petition wherein the Pegasus workers indicate their personal desire to leave the CCWU in their numbers.”
FITUG said it is urging Mr. Badal not to join those employers who seek to make Trade Unions irrelevant and until FITUG returns to this specific issue shortly, Mr. Badal should be reminded that the Constitution   of the Republic of Guyana (at chapter 147 (3)) states that neither an employer nor a trade union shall be deprived of the right to enter into collective agreements.”
“FITUG looks to the Recognition and Certification Board to detect and expose Badal union busting techniques and not to fall prey to the Hotel’s nefarious maneuverability to de-recognise the workers’ union and denude them of union protection,” the release said.
“FITUG hopes that it would not have to engage in further actions in defence of the Hotel workers.”