By LR Liburd
The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer
Workers in St. Kitts and Nevis will soon have another choice for representation in the labour market as a new union was established and is scheduled for launching on Monday (May 16).
The new entity is called the United Workers Union (UWU) and is located at Rosemary Lane in Basseterre.
In an exclusive interview, founder and President of the UWU Al-wali Muhammad told The Observer that his organisation is open to all categories workers, with the exception of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
“We are looking at all categories of workers that the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis provides for. I think the only category, based on the Constitution, that we cannot represent is the Army. The Army is not allowed to have a union representing its members. Also, the police have their own representative in the Police Service Commission and I don’t think we can represent them.”
The Kittitian-born Muhammad, who is a certified Yoga Teacher and conducts classes in Yoga Philosophy at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, explained what his union has to offer workers in the Federation.
“What we have to offer workers is representation not just for better wages and salaries, but also where they can look at things such as a pension plan from the company where they work, educate them shareholder stock in companies. In other words, we will be offering a full range of stuff, some of which are new in the atmosphere, especially when you look at the stock and pension options.
“Some companies in St. Kitts and Nevis offer pension plans for their employees but that is very minor. So what we want to do is basically start the discussion by giving members information so that they can apply pressure to the employers in order to have something in place and don’t have to wait on the Social Security Act.”
Muhammad referenced two situations in the United States of America that he would endeavour to achieve for members of his union.
“Last week, the owner of the largest Yoga company in the United States had given all of its employees a 10 percent stake in the company. Also, companies in the Silicon Valley in the United States that I know of, they provide each staff member with some percentage of stock or shares as part of the employee package. That is what our union would like to achiever for workers in the Federation.”
He stated by this weekend they would disclose more information to the public on how to reach them, but for the moment he can be contacted on (869) 661-3151.
“Prior to our launch on May 16, our website will be up and running with all the necessary information. We also have a Facebook Page, but there is not much information on it. However, as I said, information will be provided before the launch of the United Workers Union.”
Asked what motivated him to establish his brainchild, Muhammad said he had seen the plight of workers and many of them have absolutely no where or anyone to turn to, which caused frustration, pain and bitterness as well as a state of pressure..
“So the reason why we came up with it is to provide that medium, that outlet where people can come and we can represent them to the best of our abilities and try to maintain that mental health that we need in the country so that it can be better.”
Muhammad posited that there are a lot of frustration and pain in the work environments where people are dissatisfied with their working conditions and wages and salaries.
