Collective bargaining by workers
George R. Ebanks writes: Collective bargaining is an important mechanism for regulating effective employment relationships and, based on the continued and persistent exploitation of the Caymanian worker, the time has now arrived for the establishment of a duly recognised and functioning trade union in the Cayman Islands.
The older I get, the more that I realise that without people uniting and having a “united front”, very little progress will take place relative to the unalienable rights of every single Caymanian. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that we can no longer rely on simply the effective human resource management within the workplace, but a more tangible approach is needed and should be pursued. And that pursuit must embody the establishment of our own trade union as a vehicle for the betterment of workplace rights and the protection each worker in the age of globalisation.
It now should be very evident that in the new economy, simply having a person who is titled as “Human Resources Manager” is not sufficient to ensure workers’ protection and self-actualisation. Indeed, since the 2008-09 global meltdown, companies have, in the face of a slowing growth job market, relied on a tried and tested formula: restrict the hiring of more and more staff but at the same time endeavor to extract more work (output) from each worker by the use of fear of a limited job market. Consider that real wages have been stagnant since 2008 yet inflation has far outstripped wages by some 30 percent since that time (source: World Bank: 2015 report).
A study done by of Industrial Disputes in Barbados by cause 1992-97 by the ILO (Caribbean office), Digest of Caribbean Labour Statistics, 1998, reflects that where there is an existence of collective bargaining via a trade union, there was a corresponding decrease in workers’ dismissals/suspensions and a corresponding improvement in workers wages/working conditions and other miscellaneous rights and benefits.
A trade union is also timely because in today’s great transformation and competitive workplace, the issue of work is always at the forefront of our everyday discussions and conversations. That is so because the issue of work is inextricably bound up in trade. The introduction of newer and newer technologies into the workplace often has a profound effect on work. Indeed, study after study confirms that job dissatisfaction is at its highest in today’s workforce than it has ever been since the 1920’s.
The irony in talking about the need for the establishment of a trade union in the Caymanian context is that some might argue that since less than 20 percent of the global workforce is unionised, there is little likelihood of the idea gaining currency in our affluent society. In addition, the fact is also that the percentage of the labour force that is organised has been steadily declining since the middle 1950’s.
Some might therefore ask if this subject is even worth my writing and advocating about at this time. I am of the growing opinion that the answer is a strong yes!
People tend to hold strong preconceived views and feelings about unions, either positive or negative. Sadly, these opinions are usually formed through very unsystematic exposure to information. Indeed, we do not tend to hear anything about a trade union until we see news reports that tend to stress unusual or extraordinary events surrounding union activities and collective bargaining, many of them leading to worker unrest, workplace stoppages and consumers being inconvenienced due to such industrial actions. In reality, these negative collective bargaining activities may neglect the very essence of unions’ activities.
Another development that I see developing is the return of the desire to maximise company profits by a more rigid and unilateral control of management. In the private sector, this results in management being driven by competitive forces, as well as by pressures from owners (stockholders) to make the correct decisions to enhance efficiency and thus to maximize profits. And it is this new trend, one that is being employed more frequently in recent times than it has ever been, that I think now also requires a serious consideration of a “buttress” by the establishment of a trade union in the Cayman Islands.
Perhaps I will write more future articles on this subject but this week I just wanted to “test the market” and gauge the overall reader reaction to the idea of a trade union in the Cayman Islands. I should, however, in this article list a few of the functions of collective bargaining. Here are but a few:
- The establishment of a common standard under which all employees would be treated fairly and equally;
- A defined leader who is democratically elected by the union membership and acts in the best interest of all employees in obtaining the maximum benefits and working conditions available;
- The establishment of a clear and best practice module relative to the relationship between the efficiency concerns of employers and the equity concerns of employees;
- Allows the union to act as the broker for employees wishing to sell their labour;
- By uniting (grouping together), employees increase their bargaining power.
Thus, while I am in no way implying that collective bargaining will equalise bargaining power, I am saying, and want to stress the point in closing, that where a people are united and confronts a need as a collective unit, their ability to extract a more beneficial and meaningful reward structure is greatly enhanced, as opposed to “going it alone”.
The nature of collective bargaining should be seen as a representation of individuals who get together to negotiate a common agreement to improve their bargaining power.
I want to recommend the idea now for your serious consideration.
Category: Viewpoint
this yesa
Thank you George for bringing the very important topic to the table, keep up the good work.
Organizing labourers is a great thing as we all would agree that Unity IS Strength, we must evaluate the reasons why it would be in the best interest of the locals and the work force as a whole.
Complaining to the wrong people does no good as we all know, so why would we not want the right person(s) in place to take our complaints to the right level and get the results we all want and deserve. Let put Caymanians back to work and build the skills and knowledge in the next generation that would change the landscape of the work force as we see it today.
George you must have studied the works of Stalin and read the rants of Chavez and Castro
Just give me your frank feedback. That’s why I penned the article- for some feedback.
@7:05pm…your input falls short of the mark.
George, it is concerning that you have been neither employer nor employee (for a long while) and yet you wax on with advice on how the rest of us who are trying to make a living and/or providing employment to others, should function. How about just joining the real world like the rest of us, actually produce, and then try to lead….
But I am a full time businessman. What are you???…a real churl perhaps?
Whilst managing the business of ‘yourself’ is a full time job I am sure, isn’t the point that you are neither employer nor employee and therefore perhaps not in a position to be writing these articles. Let those of us that are employees or in my case, an employer, living in the real world, get on with it. Your comments are concerning and at best hard to take seriously under the circumstances.
I don’t like Unions, I’ve seen a lot of the destruction they’ve caused in industry, however, I would support better security for jobs. Having seen many jobs moved out of Cayman to save a couple of dollars here and there (fund industry etc) it doesn’t sit right. The reason the jobs were moved is it’s easier and probably cheaper, which is the basis for a lot of outsourcing, but with smaller economies, the oportunities to absorb the redundancies are limited. One of the reasons Cayman is picked off for redundancies is that it is too easy to do so, no labour relations, no unions,no legislation, cheap redundancy costs etc. Many small countries safeguard their workers, and I know the downsides of having a guaranteed job, but as we’ve seen in some lines of business, they are happy to set up here, they just can’t be bothered to stay here.
Let me throw in my 2 cents worth…
I am not sure I would like us to go down this path. Generally these unions generally create more problems than they are worth.
To me it seems if laws we currently have were enforced we would not have half the issues we have today.
I like the NWDA site idea and wish it was used properly with people who did not bypass it for friends or people pushing money under tables.
While I hear George and I echo his frustrations I just think we have the tools to snuff out the problems we just have to use them effectively and get rid of those skirting the system.
Things I would ensure….
1) NO work permits without featuring on NWDA site period. Compass no longer important.
2) NO work permits without demonstrating why applicants were not suitable. Immigration has the right to call applicants in for interview to counter. They can also engage online the applicants during the process. They can also refer job applicant and employer for a three way with labor board.
3) Labor Board can see what jobs are advertised and submit on behalf of their unemployed filers their application for the post and act as a in between to help get jobs for people who file with them.
I would like to see the 4 parties (Employees, Employers. Labor Board and Immigration) using this site to it’s full potential.
We need to stop the process of businesses having someone pre-assigned to a job. If there are capable, competent and hard working Caymanians then they need to get these jobs.
Businesses come here for all the tax benefits so they need to help us also by ensuring our locals who deserve the jobs (Capable, Competent and hard working) get the jobs.
As I said…..I don’t think unions are our answer per say. I think we have the tools. We just need all the crap stopped. Maybe we need have more sign offs in place to create more layers so as to make collusion more difficult. We just needed it all ended.
Yes!
Given how many Cayman workers have been on strike for years anyway, it would be a good idea to organize them.
It is for each of us to set the price and quality of his or her labor and for an employer to decide whether that is worth the asking price.
While many see this as a lopsided playing field in reality the days of robber barons are over, if you can’t find a buyer for your labor among the many hundreds of employers in Cayman then the price is too high or the quality too low. Both are things you can change.
A labor union simply holds the labor of others to ransom. Pay me what I think I deserve or the business gets it. If staff went on strike, customers would go somewhere else without a second thought, and probably never return. Good luck getting your pay rise then.
It’s not like every business is making out like a bandit right now, contrary to popular belief. Many business owners are paycheck to paycheck just like their employees.
Unions would be a sure way to increase prices, cause businesses to fail and hasten the demise of this once prosperous country that has already begun.
And I’m just guessing that this union would be for all workers, including those on work permits and paper Caymanians too?
Good on you George….
George your ideas are so dated and you try to make a statement about things you have no idea about you need to go back to sleep or go visit the real world because time sure has forgotten you
@6:48pm….and may I ask what have you done today for humankind???!!!???. What solutions or ideas or anything have you contributed to civil society recently?
I recall an adage that said…”…better to keep ones mouth shut than to open it and remove all doubt”!…
I recall that adage too. Perhaps you should apply it.
The largest block of workers in the land, the 6,000 or so employees of the civil service and its numerous offshoots, has a union.
That union is there to make sure that the politicians continue to lavish on its members all sorts of benefits.
But where has that got us? In particular, the taxpayers who have to cover the costs.
I do wish you had gainful employment George. You wouldn’t have the time to script such nonsense. However in Cayman that probably means you will be elected.
I guess you have not heard of a new company offering premium business consultancy services called “George Ebanks Consultancy & Bookkeeping”?….yes…its offering me (as a Caymanian!)…full time employment.
No thanks to you no doubt!….smile.
oh dear, you sound more and more like Whodatis every day. Always got an answer. Even if its not a smart one. Consultants need to be really smart, that’s why you employ them. Not one of your articles would make me wish to employ your services, in fact quite the contrary.
Why do you read them then???..you can opt not to read them you know…also..quite a lot of outbound flights leave each day. Go..catch one…
Well George, I hope you actually make a good go of it. You have to understand why people react the way they do to you. The best revenge though is to be successful and THEN give advice. All the best…
I have worked in the financial industry for well over 25 years; 10 of them as Treasurer of the Worlds LARGEST company.
What more do you seek?…my blood!??
You were treasurer of Wal Mart ? Or you were treasurer of VW exxon senico which one was it ???
Or could it be kmart or perhaps eastern airlines
I just cant figure out which one
Perhaps you were a token employee???
You could ask Dr. Frank how his Trade Union is doing, or better yet, just do a poll of workers to see how many of them are willing to give you a part of their paycheck to “represent” them.
George please try to be more concise. Cayman needs many things, but trade unions are not needed.
Exploitation is fine for the work permit holders? Right? Otherwise how could a Caymanian run their business?
Such ideas are dangerous. Trade Unions tell their members the organisation exists to protect the workers’ rights when in actual fact the Union severely restricts the rights of individuals to negotiate better working conditions for themselves.
We need greater maturity relative to the relationship that exists between “employee” and “employer” in these Cayman Islands.
It’s time to consider the establishment of a proper established and functioning Labour Union!
So Georgie, is that for everyone or just True Born, Son of the soil, indigenous, multi generation Caymanian.
@9:20pm…all inclusive Labour Union my friend. All those who are gainfully employed (and those on part time work; and even temporarily unenployed) could be members.
At least that’s my position.
Trolling your own viewpoint, really? Did you forget your name was on autocomplete George?!