Good Day Minister Hodge. Firstly I must state that this may reach many persons, however it is intended to be an interface to the actual hospitality worker. Secondly It would be irresponsible of me not to comment on your comments on 23 February, concerning the formation of hospitality unions at this time. The Labour issue has been talked about for more than half of my life and I can now appreciate it as a tool that politicians have been using for decades to secure votes from an uninformed public. Your statements have made concerns that your APM government is now trying to seduce the public to deflect apparent failure and lack of direction.
Anguilla Hotel and Allied Workers Union (AHAWU), as well as, Organized Workers and Labourers Union (OWL) have been in existence for collectively over a decade. We have been asking the Hon. Hubert Hughes since 2012 to implement legislature to allow unions to function and not merely exist. He has refused, AUF government has refused and now you are refusing also either by ignorance or by design.
Currently there are laws allowing unions to exist but no laws to allow them to operate. An example of the law that needs to be passed for example is: A trade union claiming to have as members in good standing a majority of the employees of an employer in a bargaining unit may, subject to this Part, make application to the Commissioner to be certified as the exclusive bargaining agent of the employees in the unit.
Thus your statement that unions should be formed is unfounded as they are already formed. Please see the evidence provided below.
Message from President of The Organized Workers and Labourers Union
On 18th February 2021 during the policy session at the Attorney General Chambers, you claimed, as stated that it was, “Very positive and instructive for me.” I would like to suggest to my Anguillian people that this is the main reason why unions have not been operating in Anguilla. i.e. We elect persons into office who are not equipped passionately and intellectually to deal with the issues of their portfolio. For example, we elected an eyes, ear and nose surgeon to fix our financial problems expecting progress. Indeed, Anguillians are a unique specie. My evidence for such a claim can be seen in the term of the previous Minister of Labour. Even though she is a lawyer and would have no difficulty understanding what is needed, instead we see her passing the Labour Department Act with no mention to trade unions. She claims that it would have come with the third part of the code, if the AUF were re-elected. That argument holds no water, for if the intention was to provide for the worker then it would be perfect to mention in the same Department of Labour Act the clause: The Commissioner shall in writing within a reasonable period of time not to exceed three months of the receipt of the application for certification of bargaining agent – (a) certify the trade union as the recognized bargaining agent for the bargaining unit.
It is apparent that the Covid saga has made your position more problematic. Like any politician you naturally will be concerned about public opinion and ratings. In such a position it is human nature to deflect the resolution or rather responsibility, from oneself onto the uninformed work force. I want to emphatically state that you are disingenuous and even condescending in saying that workers should pay their part. It is worthy to note that from Teacher Kelly days nearly 20 years ago, to present, we unionists have been advocating for workers to join regardless of the union being ineffective. We did not collect salaries unlike yourself and your 2 previous counterparts.
In closing, the position of Unionism in Anguilla is such that when government finally passes some edited law to allow the uninformed to be informed, that measures would be taken to ensure that some political group or lobby would have the major influence over the union. I just think it is a slap in Gods face to call yourselves Christians but yet you prosper off the sweat and tears of your neighbour and fellow man. If you are really concerned about the workers then explain to them how longer will they have to wait. I personally have been waiting for 10 years this year and have heard all of the excuses. I am confident in saying that you are still in the learning stage of the issues of labour and as such, elections will come again and then there will be a new minister of labour who will have to take 2-3 years as well, to learn what you now know.
Yusuf Abdul Ali
OWL UNION
Defunct President
3rd March 2022
