Published 3 November 2022
Basseterre
Buckie Got It St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
On the morning of Tuesday 1 November 2022, a group of SKELEC staff gathered at the administration office of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, et al, demanding a meeting with the Minister to discuss grievances they have had over the past several years. I completely understand their frustrations. However, since the election of the new Government Administration, there has been no formal or informal engagement, or request for engagement, of the Management of SKELEC, the new Board of Directors of SKELEC, or my Ministry, by the aggrieved staff. Therefore, the SKELEC staff’s informal public demand to meet with me yesterday was procedurally premature and did not follow due process for professional industrial relations.
Consequently, the group was advised, and they agreed, that the proper course of action under this new dispensation is to first meet with the Management of SKELEC and formally register their grievances. Thereafter, the Management with the support of the new Board of Directors, must be afforded adequate time to respond, and engage with staff to address any issues. The Government is confident that the SKELEC Management, with the support of the new Board of Directors, is now well positioned to address the internal issues of SKELEC.
The group of SKELEC staff peacefully dispersed and returned to work shortly after engaging with me. A meeting was convened with the management and staff of SKELEC at 4pm on Tuesday 1 November 2022 where I provided opening remarks outlining the importance of adhering to proper process and reaffirming that, as a responsible Government, we will fully support the plight of workers once proper processes are followed and respected. The meeting proceeded in my absence so that the proper process could be restarted, and staff and management could have an opportunity to engage.
I am advised that the meeting was respectful, successful and that there was unanimity among staff in striking off two items from the ‘List of Requests’ that was widely circulated across social media, namely, the request for re-assignment of SKELEC Senior Management and the request for removal of a Director from the Board of Directors. It was agreed that the inclusion of these items to the ‘List of Requests’ by the unknown author of the list did not reflect the wishes of the majority of the staff.
The management and staff will now proceed internally to address the issues raised, and with the support of the new Board of Directors, the Government looks forward to a much-improved synergy of work relations within SKELEC.
