Is Daniel Cummings against trade unions?

21.AUG.09

Editor: Last week Thursday (August 13th), there was a debate in Parliament on the new Bridges, Roads, and General Services Authority (BRAGSA). The Prime Minister was seeking permission of Parliament to have BRAGSA spend some $10 million between September and December 31, 2009.{{more}}

Out of the blue in his contribution to the debate, Senator Daniel said: “If you pay workers well and train them, you do not need any trade union. Trade Unions cause more trouble than they are worth,” or words to that effect.

As a member of the Commercial, Technical and Allied Workers Union (CTAWU) and a voter in West Kingstown, I was shocked and disappointed. Trade Unions are required in every work force; they support and defend workers.

I voted Daniel Cummings in 2005 as a supporter of the NDP, but never again.

I used to dismiss as political propaganda the comments of the Prime Minister that Mr. Cummings does not like trade unions. I now know this is a fact. I heard Mr. Cummings myself. I can’t stand that kind of backwardness.

Egbert Pope