Congress Respects P.S.U. Autonomy, Presents Forum for Dialogue

Floyd Neal

According to Neal, the N.T.U.C.B. has commenced a process which will give all parties the opportunity to fully discuss the matter of race relations within the unions.

Isani Cayetano

“What can be done from the position of the N.T.U.C.B. in an instance like this, aside from giving them a platform to be able to discuss amongst themselves what has been put on record?”

Floyd Neal, President, N.T.U.C.B.

“Again, they are autonomous, as you say.  We would prefer that they use their own systems and protocols to solve the differences before we inject ourselves.  We need to allow for that process to happen and it does vary, the protocols in place, based on the constitutions from union to union.  But as the umbrella organization we need to respect the fact that them being a part of T.U.C. does not in any way undermine their own autonomy.  We all need to get our houses in order.  It applies to the individual unions that belong to the T.U.C. and it applies to the T.U.C. as well.”

Isani Cayetano

“I’m glad that you brought up that point because at present the impression that one is getting is that the N.T.U.C.B. is not as unified as it ought to be which would render it rather challenging for it as an umbrella union to take a position on social matters for instance.  Can you speak to that?”

Floyd Neal

“Agreed.  And again, it’s a process.  We need to give the process an opportunity for it to work itself out.  So as not to prejudice what we hope to achieve, I will restrict myself to saying that we have embarked on a process and at the end of that process we hope we’re more unified.”

As we reported on Friday, Eldred Neal has been suspended as President of the Public Service Union, following a decision taken by the organization’s council of management.