NDP congratulates SVGTU on recent court victory

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has congratulated the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) on the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal which declared that the election leave provision of the collective bargaining agreement that the government signed with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union in 2005 is not unconstitutional.

The NDP in a release said they are studying the judgement and will make further pronouncements in the future.

The case on behalf of the teachers was first heard by Justice Brian Cottle, who in his February 10, 2018 judgement said: “When I consider the competing arguments as well as my understanding of the governing legal principles, I am driven to the conclusion that the claimants cannot succeed.”

He further noted that the matter was one “for constitutional reform and not for this court”. The claim by the SVGTU was then described as “entirely hopeless” and struck out.

The SVGTU persisted in their cause and on January 29, was vindicated.

“The NDP congratulates the SVGTU for their courage and tenacity in pushing forward to seek justice for their members despite the ruling of Justice Cottle. This historic victory is well deserved and when viewed in conjunction with the recent victory of the PSU, highlights a worrying trend by this ULP government over the years of a practice that is unmistakably anti-worker and anti-union,” the release from the NDP said.

“The NDP urges the SVGTU to continue to be true to their members and to represent their interests first. Further, the NDP is calling on the Government to respect the SVGTU and the PSU as the legitimate bargaining agents of teachers and public sector workers and to return to the bargaining table with the unions in accordance with their obligations under ILO Conventions and with historic practice in SVG.

In addition, the government should respect the bargaining process and engage in respectful and good-faith negotiations with teachers and public servants.”