Reed: Winair using
union as scapegoat
PHILIPSBURG--Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union President William Reed has dismissed as baseless, statements made by Winair Managing Director Eddy Hodge that giving into the union’s demands would mean the end of the airline.
Reed said the union and management have not had any discussions on the most recent proposed Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) for workers and he is surprised at Hodge’s statements that were made at a press conference on Friday, January 20. He believes that Hodge is using the union as a scapegoat for its financial problems.
“We never sat at the table, so he can’t make these statements when we never sat at the table and talked about the CLA,” said Reed.
“We never called in a mediator: Never reached a deadlock and never discussed anything. All the union wanted to do was listen and I think that the union has a right to make such a request. It’s out of courtesy and decency.”
Reed said there is a lack of communication between Hodge and the union. “Hodge said he had a committee working on the proposal and he said he would get back to us, but we want to know how long the committee will take. We want to talk with facts and dates. We don’t know if there is a committee working…..”
He said permanent workers at the airline feel insecure about their jobs. “I have no more confidence in Hodge ever since I found out that he wanted to make a private deal with the pilots,” said Reed. “My members are faithful members and they understood what he was doing was wrong and they let me know what he was doing.”
He said the workers are aware that the airline is going through some rough times and only want to be respected.
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