THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER
Volume. 7 Number
For Tha Webk Ending February 3rd.1979: .
7th Year of Publication - - 199th Issue
Produced & Printed by Alister & Cynthia Hughes
P 0 Box 65, St.Georges, Grenada, Westindies
BANK MANAGER'S RESIDENCE FIREBOMBED
Prime Minister Gairy has expressed disapproval of Barclays Bank
Manager, Mr P R Davies-Evans, and Mr Davies-Evans has left Grenada.
This development is associated with the continuing dispute between
Barclays and the Bank & General Workers Union (BGWU) over the question
of recognition, and it came soon after Mr Davies-Evans' residence was
firebombed on the evening of January 20th.
Since last October, workers at Barclays have been seeking recognition
for their union, the BGWU. A poll conducted by the Labour
Commissioner disclosed that over 70% of Barclayst employees belonged
to BGWU, but the law does not compel recognition and the Bank.
continues to withhold recognition.
Sources close to the Bank told NEWSLETTER that Barclays would
recognize BGWU, but this recognition must be in the form of a
"Recognition Agreement". The main feature of that Agreement would
be that disputes be settled by a "Joint Negotiating Council" on which
the Bank and Union would have equal representation. If this
Council failed to resolve the dispute, the matter would be submitted
to the Labour Commissioner.
According to the draft "Recognition Agreement", subjects for
negotiation by the "Joint Negotiating Council" would be limited to
1. Rates of pay, overtime & allowances
2. Length of annual holidays and attendant conditions
3. Hours of work
4. Uniforms & protective clothing
5. Conditions in Premises
6 Sick leave
The draft "Recognition Agreement" says also that "Union.
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THE GRBNADA NEWSLETTR Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 2
representatives, not being full time pad -dficials of the Union,
are first and foremost employees of the Bank and, as such, their
first and prime responsibility is to carry out the duties
delegated to them as employees of the Bank".
Unqualified
NEWSLETTER understands that the principle of a "Recognition
Agreement" is unacceptable to BGWU. Sources close to the
union say that "unqualified recognition" is required, following
which, all conditions of work and related matters can be
negotiated.
rclays employees went on strike on December 15th in support
of their demands for recognition of BGWU, remaining out and
picketing the Bank's Head Office in St.Georges until Tuesday
January 9th. Meanwhile, developments took place which
involved the Grenada Christian Council in this dispute.
Barclays Bank wrote to the Labour Commissioner on January 3rd
accepting that his poll indicated majority support for BGWU.
"However", said the Bank, "recognition can be based on actual
membership only and not on mere sympathy". In this connection
the Labour Commissioner was asked for further assistance.
1On the same day (3rd), the Bank wrote to BGWU also saying that
the stage had been reached "where it is necessary to be assured
that at least 50% of our clerical staff are fully paid up members
of your union". The letter said this assurance could be
achieved only by reference to the Union's records, and suggested
that the Labour Commissioner inspect the Union's books and report
to both parties.
The following day, January 4th, a BGWU delegation called on
Ir Robert Robinson, the Labour Commissioner, requesting that the
Union's books be examined in accordance with the Bank's
requirement. This delegation comprised Mr Maurice Bishop, the
iUnion's legal advisor, and Messrs Daniel Robert and Richardson
iDonald, BGWU Secretary Wsd Treasurer respectively. However,
?ccordiing to a BGWU spokesman, the Labour .Commissi er refused
continue.
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 3
to do this as he had been instructed by the Minister of Labour,
Mr Roy St.John, to take no action in the matter.
The striking employees returned to work on January 10th. The
Bank's Management raised no objection and they resumed normal
employment. And, on the same day, BGWU made another effort to
get the Labour Commissioner to check the Union's books.
Mr Vincent Noel, BGWU President, called on Mr Robinson and, according
to Mr Noel, was told that the Minister of Labour had given permission
or the Union's records to be checked. Mr Robinson asked that the
books be brought in, but, when they were taken to the Labour Office
later that day, Mr Robinson said he could no accept them without
further reference to the Minister. Mr Noel said that, when he
checked later on with Mr Robinson, he was told there was no change in
Ithe situation.
New developments took place on January llth. Requested by BGWU,
the Grenada Christian Council (GCC) examined the books of the Union.
he approach was made by Mr Noel to Anglican Archdeacon Hoskins
uggins, Chairman of GCC, and Mr Noel told NEWSLETTER he had taken
his step because his Union "had misgivings about the situation at
he Ministry of Labour". His Union, he said, wished to have an
impartial Body check the records.
Honest Thing
GCC found that 34 of Barclays' 50 workers were financial members of
BGWU and, in a statement published in the Press, urged the Bank "to
speedily do the only decent and honest thing that should be done now:
that the Union be officially recognized
On the same day (llth) that GCC examined the Union's records, the
books were taken to the Labour Commissioner with a formal letter
requesting his examination of them. This time, they were
accepted and, according to a BGWU spokesman, Mr Robinson went through,
them immediately, arriving at the same figures as GOC. Mr Robinson
told the Union then, however, that the matter had to be referred to
Sthe Minister before the result of his examination could be put into
writing, and Mr Noel told NEWSLETTER that, when he checked *ith
I________nnftinn dA. V .- .
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 4
Mr Robinson a few days later, the Labour Comissioner saiifd .h..
matter was in the Minister's hands.
There was an incident on the evening of Saturday 20th January which
appears to be connected with this industrial dispute. Barclays
Manager, Mr Davies-Evans, was at home with his wife at their
residence at Lance aux Epines on the island's south coast.
About 10.00 pm, the Davies-Evans noticed a smell of burning and
then heard gun-shots. Running from the house, they hid in
nearby bushes, from which point they saw their home on fire but
saw no one.
NEWSLETTER visited the scene next day (21st). From examination
it appeared that two shot gun blasts and one pistol shot had
been directed against the front wall of the house. A car and
a section of the house was destroyed by fire. Mr Davies-Evans
was not available for comment, but a Barclays spokesman said an
unsuccessful attempt had been made to set fire to another car in
the yard.
On the same evening, an attempt was made also to set fire to the
home of Mr Denby DeFreitas, a senior official of the Bank.
Mr Defreitas lives in St.Pauls, a suburb of St.Georges, and it
is reported that"Molotov cocktails" thrown at his home failed
to ignite.
Arrested
Five members of BGWU were arrested two days after these
incidents. They were Messrs Vincent Noel, President,
Daniel Roberts, Secretary, Richardson Donald, Treasurer,
Nehru Lalsee and Martin David. No charges were made
against them, but they were kept in custody for 48 hours and
released on the 24th.
Another BGWU member was arrested on the 24th. He is Mr Carl
Griffith who was dismissed by Barclays on November 23rd for
"incompetence". Mr Griffith contends that his dismissal was
because of his BGWU membership and has filed a case against the
Bank. He, too, was held in custody for 48 hours before
(QCntjnnund)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 5
being released. No charges were made against him.
Public opinion is divided over these acts of terrorism. Some
quarters hold that elements favourable to BGWU committed the acts.
However, Government has branded BGWU as "communist inspired" and
there is opinion that elements favourable to Government engineered
the attacks to discredit the Union.
In a Radio Grenada broadcast on January 29th, Prime Minister Gairy
said the Bank Manager had to be blamed for the attack on his house.
"The Police are fully aware of the patterns and systems adopted by
Communist leaders", Mr Gairy said, "and so the dwelling premises of
Barclays Bank Manager were properly covered by men visible and in
hiding". The Prime Minister said 21 men were posted but ?
Mr Davies-Evans had requested that they be.moved as he thought a
guard was unnecessary. -
"The Police had no alternative-but to withdraw all 21 men", Mr Gairy
said, "hence the culprits committed arson, fired bullets at the walls
and got away without being apprehended. The Manager has done other,
things inimical to the interest of security and good government, and
I shall recommend his removal immediately after the Court case
currently pending".
The case referred to is that brought by Mr Carl Griffith against the
Bank for wrongful dismissal, but Mr Davies-Evans has not remained for
this. On Monday 29th January, Mr Karl Haywood of Barclays
regional Head Office in Barbados, arrived in the island to head the
Grenada operation, and Mr Davies-Evans left on Wednesday 31st.
Militant
In his broadcast, Mr Gairy criticized the Grenada Christian Council
for interesting themselves in the dispute. "Over the last few
years", he said, "we have got the impression that some militant and
over-ambitious people do and say things, in what they regard as the
modern way, contrary to all established principles, social and
political ethics and, in some way, contrary to the law of the land,
but, when faced with some measure of resistance, they call upon their
(continued)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 6
Parents, relatives and in-laws who, in most cases. are pillars
of the Churches, and who, in turn, bring pressure on the Heads
of Churches to interfere and do things completely outside their
call of duty."
It is not the role of any Church to assist a trade union to get
recognition, he said, and he thought the Heads of the Roman
Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches (those
who examined the BGWU books) were out of place in a trade union
matter. The Bank did not wish the Churches to "interfere",
he said, and he suggested that their efforts would be better
spent in reestablishingg some sort of discipline and decorum
in the Church, particularly in matters relating to dress
behaviour, and doing something to win members back into the
Church in consequence of the dwindling membership."
The Prime Minister referred to the role played last year by
GCC in resolving the deadlock in an industrial dispute between
Government and Government's monthly paid workers. "One may,
in fairness, say the Churches helped in settling the impasse
between Government and the Unions last year", he said, "This
is true, and we shall ever be grartful, but this was the
result of a joint request by Government and the Unions. This
is certainly not the case this time."
Communists
In his address, Mr Gairy said the dispute must not be considered
as "one between the Bank and the staff, but between the people
of Grenada who deal with the Bank and a handful of Communists who
want to take control of gur banking institutions."
Those who are pronouncing judgement against the Bank", he
continued, "have conspicuously failed to make mention about
the appalling, disgusting and bscene placards displayed by those
to whom they are giving solace today, about the bold and
horrifying act of open arson and about the display of terrorism
in our peaceful country."
The Prime Minister then referred to interviews conducted by the
(continuaa) -
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79
SLabour Commissioner at Barclays Bank on January 26th, which
interviews have been objected to by BGWU.
Mr Gairy said the Union's books were examined by the Labour
Commissioner and he found they showed a financial membership of 32,
which is 61% of Barclays' staff. "One must ask", he said, which
trade union leader seeking recognition would present books showing
less than 50% ?" The Prime Minister said the Labour Commissioner
had an obligation to ascertain "by actual fact" whether these figures
are correct and, to this end, he conducted interviews with workers at
Barclays.
"Because of a wrong and thoughtless move on the part of Management",
the Prime Minister said, "only 16 of the 32 workers came into that
private coom to be interviewed. The interviews revealed that, of
the 16 interviewed, 7 were financial members while 9 were not even
members of the Union."
BGWU wrbte the Manager of Barclays
the holding of these interviews.
"unprecedented" and "unethical".
"that what was actually done was t]
your office to answer whether or n
on January 29th protesting against
According to BGWU, they were
"We understand" said thh letter,
hat staff members were sent into
ot they are members of our Union."
BGWU told Mr Davies-Evans it thought the Labour Commissioner was
"intimidating members of our Union into saying they are not members".
BGWU said, despite the Bank's circular to staff denying it had any
part in the proceedings, it felt the Bank was involved. The.
Labour Commissioner coAld not conduct interviews in the Manager's
office without the Manager's request or consent, the Union said.
Closing his broadcast, Mr Gairy said it is his responsibility to
protect the lives of citizens and "to bring to justice those who
continue with their dastardly acts of terrorism". He had given
instructions that all Government vehicles'are to be at the disposal
of the POlice, he said, for "an exercise of concerted vigilance and
action against the Communist terrorists in our State with a, vew.tp
capturing the culprits ...." (continued) '
L- .. ..
Page 7
I
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 8
NEWSLETTER spoke today *(2ha) with both the Labour Commissioner
Mr Robert Robinson, and BGWU President, Mr Vincent Noel. The
Labour Commissioner said he was unable to say anything except
that the results of his examination of the Union's books are in
Sthe hands of the Minister of Labour, Mr Roy St.John who will
release them at his discretion.
Stalemate
Mr Noel said his Union is concerned because Barclays "had not
acted in good faith", and the Ministry had not performed its
duties "in a manner calculated to bring about a just settlement."
"It appears that a stalemate exists., now", he said, "but there
are other avenues open to us and these are being explored."
Thirteen organizations have, so far, expressed support for
BGWO, six based in Grenada and seven abroad. The local
ones are the Grenada Union of Teachers, the Civil Service
Association, the Grenada Assembly of Youth, St.Georges
Progressive Women' Association, the New Jewel Movement and
the Commercial & Industrial Workers Union.
The organizations based abroad are the Oilfield Workers Trade
Union of Trinidad, the Caribbean Congress of Labour, End Loans
To South Africa, Caribbean Labour Solidarity of London, the
National Union of Bank Employees in the United Kingdom, the
Bank & General Workers Union of Trinidad & Tobago, and the
Transport & Industrial Workers Union of Trinidad & Tobago.
(2390 words)
ANGLICANS AND ROMANS TURN DOWN GAIRY'SREJUUEST
Sources close to the the Grenada Christian Council (GCC) told
NEWSLETTER today (3rd) that the Roman Catholic and Anglican
Authorities have turned down a request from prime Minister
Gairy that they read an Independence Day message from him in
the churches on Sunday February 4th.
SThe sources said the sbven page address was sent today (3rB)
to the Heads of all Churches in Grenada and a meeting was
(continued)
THE GRBNADA NEWSLETTER Pgek amning 2.7 Page 9
called immediately of representatives of thg noman Catholic, Anglican
Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. The Anglican and Roman
Catholic representatives expressed the view that the address was a
"political document" and it would not be read in their Churches. The
Methodist representative thought the first and last pages could be
read and the Presbyterian was undecided.
This Independence Day message from the Prime Minister, after its
formal opening, points out "the accelerated movement to independence
which Grenada set as a pattern five years ago". It points out
some of the benefits achieved by independence and speaks of "the
greater struggles which lie ahead if we are to increase the wellbeing
of all and sustain our land as a free and democratic country, devoid
of strange and imported ideas and ideologies."
Divine Strength
The next seven paragraphs give definitions of what independence means.
Basically, these paragraphs set out the many ways in which Grenadians
now have responsibility for their country. And Mr Gairy says the
struggle to gain this responsibility, the "struggle for freedom and
power has, by no means, been an easy one; the struggle has been one
that has called for an infusion of Divine strength of character, ,
courage and fortitude ...."
Mr Gairy says also that "independence means the inculcation of a new
set of values that would give due regard to the importance of
ownership to encourage, support and protect private enterprise;
appreciating, identifying and recognizing the need for maximum
productivity and condemning laAness; an obligation to uproot
obstructionism, Mlicihs strikes and strife."
e
ter listing lore achievements of which Grenadians might be proud,
including "my own success in th United nations" the Prime Minister 's
address referred to Grenada's international standing. "The love,
friendship, esteem and respect that Grenada receives from the various
nations of 4he world have come about not y chance but by God's special,
races and blessings upon our country", he said, "and his continuing
inspiration infused in my leadership as tead of the smallest member
(continued
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 10
of the United Nations Organisation."
iConcluding, the address said the Churches have an important role
to disseminate Christian principles and virtues, and in helping
the poor. And, in what appears to be a reference to the recent
firebombing of Barclays Bank Manager's residence, he pointed out
what he thought was another obligation of the Churches.
I
"The Church cannot afford to be passive when there are instances
of open violence and vandalism in our community", he said, "the
display of strength of arms 'by plastering two buildings with
bullet holes, and I call upon the Church to assist Government
in maintaining peace and security for all in our Nation."
The Prime Minister's address ends with a call for rededication,
"so that, ever conscious of God, we might continue to aspire,
build and advance as one people."
(515 words)
POLICE INSPECTOR MISSING
Police Inspector Iri Bishop has now (3rd) been missing for 46
days. He was last seen on December 19th and nothing has
been seen or heard of him since.
NEWSLETTER went today to the east coast district of La Tante,
some 14 miles from St.Georges, and spoke Vith Mr Thomas Bishop
(70) and with Mrs Monica Andrews, the Inspector's father and
sister respectively. It was learned*that Inspector Bishop
has given 30 years of service to the Grenada PoAe Ace and,
at the time of his disappearance, was Officer-in-charge of
the Esplanade Police Station which is located in the heart
of the St.Gaorges down-town shopping are,.
It was learned also that the Inspector lived in at the Esplanade
Police Station and that his An Wilbur Bishop, a member of he
Gircnada Volunteer Constabulary, lived with him.
(continued)
*_
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 11
"On the afternoon of December 17th", Mr Thomas Bishop told NEWSLETTER,I
"Iri attended the military funeral of ex-serviceman Keith Mancini
who was buried in St.Davids Parish. Assistant Superintendent of
Police Anthony 'Lucky' Bernard told me that, after the funeral, my
son did not seem to be well. 'Luckyt said he was not speaking
normally and he took him to the casualty department at the General
Hospital where an East Indian doctor gave gave him an injection."
Inspector Bishop is married and he and his wife have 8 children.
Mrs Bishop has been in the United States of America for some two
years and Mr Thomas Bishop said it had been hoped that the Inspector
and the children would join her in due course. Seven of the
children live in Grenada's sister island of Carriacou and, after
the Inspector had received the injection, ASP Bernard took him back
to the Esplanade Police Station to the other child, Wilbur (16).
Mrs Monica Andrews told NEWSLETTER that, after her brother had been
missing for some days, she went to St.Georges and spoke with her
nephew Wilbur. He told her that, as usual, he had slept in the
same room with his father on the night of December 18th, and his
father had left him there early the next morning. "Wilbur told
me that Iri said something to him as he was leaving the room",
Mrs Andrews said, "but Wilbur was still half asleep at that time and
he does not remember what it was."
Mrs Andrews says she called alo on Acting Commissioner of Police
Osbert James and asked for information, but he was unable to give
any. Mr James told her, she said, that investigations were being
made. "I asked #e Commissioner to put out a call on Radio
Grenada asking if anyone had seen Iri", Mrs Andrews said, "but he
said he couldn't do that. He said that Iri is a big man and he
is sick #ith his nerves and he couldn't put that kind of call on the
air."
Both Mr Thomas Bishop and Mrs Andrews said that, as far as they
knew, Inspector P. shop had never had a nervous breakdown and they
had said this to ASP Bernard when he had called at their La Tante
(continued) -
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.7k Page 12
home on December 27th to find out whether Inspector Rishop was
there. ASP Bernard told them, they said, that he had called
at the Esplanade Police Station on December 19th to take the
Inspector back to the doctor, but he Sad not found him there.
Mr Bishop and Mrs Andrews said ASP Bernard was the only policeman
who had asked them any questions since the Inspector's
disappearance.
A persistent unconformed report is that Inspector Bishop's
disappearance is connected with a burglary at a St.Georges
department store last October. According to the report,
Inspector Bishop had information linking certain known criminals,
former members of the State-paid "mongoose gang", with the
robbery. It is said that these criminals may have information
about the disappearance.
(623 words)
ANGLICAN PRIEST SEARCHED
Reverend Leopold Baynes, St.Vincent born Anglican priest in
charge of St.Andrews Parish, was stopped and searched by the
Police last Sunday evening (27th).
Reverend Baynes was returning from a service at St.Pauls when
the incident happened. In an exclusive interview with
NEWSLETTER today (2nd), he said that it happened about 7.30 pm
near the St.Davids Police Station, and .t had come as a
complete surprise.
"I was stopped by a uniformed policeman accompanied by four
plain clothes men", Reverend Baynes said, "and I was asked to
pull to the side of the road as they wished to search for arms
*
and ammunition. I was dressed in my cassock and they made
no attempt to search my person or the person of my companion,
Eugene Humphrey, but a thorough search was made of my car."
Reverend Baynes had been thfguest preacher at St.Pauls that
afternoon when the conversion of St.Paul was being commemorated.
---__(continued)
q
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.78. Pae 13
Sources close to the St.Pauls congregation express the opinion that
Reverend Baynes' sermon may have offended the authorities. In his
sermon, he is reported to have said that Caribbean leaders should
remember that true development must involve Man, and Reverend
Baynes is reported to have expressed the opinion that Grenadians,and
Westindians generally, may be suffering from the fact that they have
elected "unchanged, unconverted and uncommitted" men to govern then.
(235 words)
ILO WORKSHOP IN GRENADA
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) conducted a workshop in
Grenada over the period 8th to llth January. Financed by the
Danish International Development Agency, the workshop was on the
policies, structures and programmes for small enterprise development
in the Caribbean, and organisation was in the hands of the Caribbean
Employers Confederation and the Grenada Employers Federation.
Attending the workshop were representatives of employer
organizations in Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, the
British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica,
Montserrat, St.Lucia, St.Vincent, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
Direction of the workshop was done by Mr George Kanawaty, Chief of
ILO's Management Development Branch in Geneva, and, in an exclusive
interview with NEWSLETTER, he said that insufficient attention is
paid to small business. "Plans are made for large investment
projects", he said, "plans are made fq extensive development
efforts, but little effort is directed to the small enterprise
sector."
Mr Kanawaty said consideration of a "multitude of actions" must be
given to development of small enterprises, and he cited training,
extension of credit, consultant and advisorary services, building
of industrial estates and the provision of technological and other
supporting activities. "We expect this workshop to produce a
plan of action in the Caribbean which will go out in sort of
ripAes and intensify as time goes by."
(continued)
aI
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 14
An independent,popsultant will visit each participant in tho
workshop later this year. That visit will be to determine
how well the experience gained at the workshop has been
utilised, and to determine what, if any, follow-up action is
necessary.
(259 words)
PROTEST ELAYS TRIBUNAL
The Technical & Allied Workers Union (TAWU) has protested
against the appointment of Mr T C Payne as a member of the
Arbitration Tribunal to consider the industrial dispute between
TAWU and the Central Water Commission (CWC)
Mr Payne is a member of CWC's Board of Directors and TAWU holds
that, in the interest of natural justice, he should not be a
member of a Tribunal appointed to consider a dispute in which
the Commission is involved.
This Tribunal was appointed last December 12th with Mr Herbert
Squires, barrister, as chairman. Nominated by TAWU is Mr
Daniel Williams, barrister, and Mr T C Payne, retired Civil
Servant, was nominated by CWC.
The terms of reference include consideration of proposals
made by TAWU to amend the existing Industrial Agreement to
affect vacation and sick leave, allowances, health and pension
schemes and wages. In cinection with the last item, TAWU
proposes that monthly paid employees' salaries be revised in
accordance with increased salaries given to Civil Servants last
year, and daily paid employees be given 50% increase.
TAWU proposes also that the new Agreement come into effect from
1st March 1978 for a two year period.
The Tribunal met briefly for the first time on January 25th and
adjourned to permit the Chairman to attend a High Court sitting
Where he had a matter. There was another meeting of the
(continued)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week din 3.2.7
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.7&
Page 15
Tribunal on the 26th at which TAWU raised its objections to Mr Payne.
Mr Curtis Stewart, TAWU President, told NEWSLETTER today (3rd), that
Mr Squires has communicated TAWU's objection to the Minister of
Labour, but, to date, he has heard nothing more.
(274 words)
GOVERNMENT HOLDS GES/TAWU REPORT
Government has not yet released the Report of the Arbitration
Tribunal which considered the industrial dispute between Grenada
Electricity Services (GES) and the Technical & Allied Workers
Union (TAWU).
NEWSLETTER is reliably informed that the Report was delivered to the
Minister of Labour more than two weeks ago, but,to date (3rd), TAWU
President, Mr Curtis Stewart, said he had not seen a copy.
This Tribunal was appointed on December 12th, and its terms of
reference covered two matters. These were to inquire into and
report on
1. Failure of GES to meet with the Union to sign the new
Collective Agreement which had been agreed upon, and
2. The Company's refusal to re-employ the laid-off workers
now that Government has approved an increase in the tariff
of electricity rates.
The workers referred to were retrenched last June when GES said the
Company's financial position had continued to worsen and "the
position has now been reached where the very survival of the Company
is threatened". In spite of intervention by the Minister of
Labour, the 21 workers retrenched were not reemployed.
Government approved an increase in the tariff of electricity rates
and these went into effect on August 1st 1978. The increase was
ECC 5 per unit on all categories of charge, plus increases in some
basic charges.Mr W R. Lord, GES Manager, told NEWSLFTTER at the time
that these increases are particularly necessary now as the Company
must invest in a new generator in 1981
continuedd)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.-.74.9 -t
Members of the- Tfibunal were Mr Elvin St.Bernard, retired Puisne
Judge, Chairman, Mr Adrian Date, retired Puisne Judge, nominated
by GES, and Mr George Brizan economist, nominated by TAWU.
The Tribunal first met on January 3rd and held meetings on 4th,
5th and 6th, finally closing its hearings on January 8th. TAWU
President, Mr Curtis Stewart and barrister Mr Daniel Williams
appeared for the Union while barrister Mr H E L Hosten appeared
for GES.
GES is jointly owned by the Commonwealth Development Corporation
(CDC) and the Government of Grenada, CDC holding 59.3% of the
shares.
(343 words)
PARLIAMENT AT QUEEN'S PARK
The 3rd Session of Grenada's 2nd Parliament will not be opened
at Parliament Building in St.Georges. Instead, Governor
General Mr Paul Scoon has decreed that the opening will take
place at Queen's Park, the recreation grounds just north of the
town.
This innovation is part of the island's celebration of its 5th
anniversary of independence, and the opening will take place on
February 7th in a specially constructed pavillion. This event
will coincide with a children's rally at Quedn's Park and, in
addition, hundreds of people have been invited to be present.
'4
NEWSLBTTER is reliably informed that Members of Parliament
belonging to the New Jewel Movement (NJM) will boycott this
opening of Parliament. It is reported that the Order Paper
includes no participation in the proceedings by the Opposition,
and sources close to NJM say the occasion is a "prostitution
of Parliament to promote the political ends of the Party in
power."
It is not known whether the Grenada National Party and United
Peoples' Party members of the Opposition will attend.
(170 words)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page 17
NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER TO LONDOt *.e
*
Mr Raymond Anthony,32, has been appointed Grenada's High Commissioner
to London. Mr Anthony succeeds Mr Oswald Gibbs who was "sent on
leave" by Prime Minister Gairy last July 1st following what Mr Gairy
is reported to have described as "two cardinal sins" committed by
Mr Gibbs.
The London newspaper, "Westindian World',' reported Mr Gairy as saying
that these sins were that, in a private conversation with Queen
Elizabeth, he failed to "concentrate his attention on his Prime
Minister, and he changed the conversation introduced by the Queen.
Following Mr Gibbs departure, Grenada born London based Mr Roy
Philli's acted in the post, but it is reported that his appointment
was not acceptable to the British Government.
Mr Anthony will present his credentials after Mr Gibbs has taken
formal leave of the Queen.
(130 words)
NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST
Five Grenadians were mentioned in the Queen's New Year Honours List.
Miss F A I Rapier was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order
of the British Empire (OBE) and Dr Lloyd Alexis became a Member of
the same Order (MBE).
The British Empire Medal was awarded to Messrs Lloyd Munrp, Charles
Francis, Joseph Vincent Roberts and Cuthbert Emmanual Vincent.
(61 wo S)
NEW POSTAGE RATES
A new schedule of postage rates came into effect on January 1st, but
there has been no change in the air mail rates ro Commonwealth
Caribbean countries These remain at ECC 15 per'half-ounce for
first class mail and ECC 10 per half ounce for second class iail.
*
The first laps-air letter rate to Australia, New Zealand and
,i ,(contwue d)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 Page X&
k wan has bee .u uced from EC$1.O0 per half ounce to EC90
per half ounce, but this rate to the USA and Britain has moved
up from ECO35 to EC440 per hail ounce.'
Postage rates were last revised in 1974 and took effect on
January 1st 1975.
(105 words)
ANGLICANS CONSIDER HUMAN RIGHTS
\'
The Anglican Province of the Westindies has set up a small
committee to give it guidance in the field of Human Rights.
This committee met in Trinidad on 23rd and 24th January under
the Chairmanship of the Bishop if Trinidad & Tobago, the Right
Reverend Clive Abdulah and, in an exclusive interview with-.*
NEWSLETTER on 24th, Bushop Abdulah said the main topic discussed
had been social justice in the Caribbean.
"For some years now", he said, "the Church has been engaging
this matter, but t*,iss the first time we have met to put our
thoughts down on paper and to exercise our minds in terms of
some guidelines for theProvincial Synod which meets in
-r
Antigua later this year *
Bishop Abdulah mentioned especially a paper presented to the
committee by Dr Neville Linton of the Caribbean Conference of
Churches.. ie said this covered "the background to the
Caribbean situation, the kind of people we are, where we came
from and the problems which face us". That paper was
discussed tog0 er with one presented by Bishop Abdulah on the
theological issues involved in human rights.
"We have come up with the recommendation that the Province
'must set up a programme to educate both the Clergy and the
Laity in terms of where we are, who we are and what we ought
to be doing so that the human rights within the framework of
our milieu might be fully expressed", he said.
(cOntinued) ...
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 3.2.79 _. ie19
Ref endations of this committee will be presented Le the Anglican
provincial Synod which meets in May in Antigua.
(262 words) ,
GOOD BANANA YEAR
The Windward Islands exported 132,539 tons of bananas lasc year and
the FOB value of this crop exceeded EC$50 million.
These'figures are disclosed in a recent Windward Islands Banana
Association (WINBAN) release which gives the export tonnage for 1975
to 1977 as 90,390 tons, 120,593 tons and 111,142 tons respectively.
WINBAN said also that the figure for 1970 was 141,460 tons and that
the highest tonnage ever produced was in 1969 when exports amounted
to 198,13 tons.
According to the release, the island by island breakdown of last
year's tonnage is St.Lucia 50,216, Dominica 37,8, St.Vincent 30,407i
and Grenada 14,530. The figure given for Grenada is approximately
1.2 million pounds more that NEWSLETTER's statistics which are
compiled on a weekly basis. It is noted, however, that the total
Sthe weights given by WINBAN for the four islands is approximately
million pount more that the quoted total of 132,539 tons. This
appears to reflect a clerical error and may account for the
if prence between NEWSLETTER's figures and those given by WINBAN.
*
WINBAN expresses the opinion that the experience of this decade has
brought home the importance of proper water and soil observation
practices and the Association says these problems are being tackled
vigorously. "With the proper harnessing of our water resources",
the release says, "it is anticipated that, by 1981, the Islands will
a 1
together produce and maintain annually a level of 160,000 tons of
boxed bananas."
(224 words)
BANANA SHIPMENTS
Statistics covering banana shipments in January are not yet
available. ?.WSLETTER regrets this and hopes the information,.
i. t.
THE GlBtPk NBWSLWttta Week- Endiig 3.2'.79 2
sbe ready fci next week's issue.
CRUISE LINERS
putting the period 1st to 27th January, 23 cruise liners called
at Grenada. These liners brought 13,058 passengers and
Sa .ivals were as follows :-
2nd "Angelina Lauro"
"Veendam"
3rd, "Maxim Gorki
4th., "Britanis"
January 8th "Stella Maris"
"Doric"
9th "Angelina Lauro"
"Alexander: Pushkin"
"World Renaissance"
S 11lth "Ivan France"
12th "Sagafjord"
January
January
January
14th "StAla Oceanis"
"Statendam"
15th "Dalmacija"
16th "Cunard Countess"
"Angelina Lauro"
"Stella Maris"
"Veendam"
18th "Jupiter'
19th "Fairwind"
22nd *s.airsea"
23rd ."Angelina Lauro"
24th "Stella Maris"
*.
734 Passengers
641 do
626 do
1470 do
3471 Week ending 6.1.79
180 Passendgrs
723 do
628. do
503 do
309 do
595 do
391 do
3329 Week ending 13.1.79
261 Passengers
803. do
i44' do
630 do
610 do
165 do
587 do
342 do
827 do
4469 Week ending 20.1.79
876 Passengers
741 do
172 do
1789 Week ending 27.1.79
ster as
3rd ruary 1979
January
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