Saint Lucia’s Labour Commissioner has penned a letter requiring 1st National Bank employees who participated in protests last week to return to work on Monday.
Mr. Joseph Joseph addressed the October 11, 2024, letter to National Workers Union (NWU) Secretary General Johann Harewood.
The document noted that while there was no resolution, a meeting, including the Minister of Labour, is tentatively scheduled for October 29.
According to a spokesperson, the 1st National Bank employee protests were over “increment adjustments” related to an agreement after RBC acquired the financial institution.
Protesters expressed frustration over the Bank’s alleged decision not to fulfill its commitment to compensate staff for an increased workload.
Former Economic Development Minister Guy Joseph voiced his support for the protesting workers during an opposition United Workers Party Town Hall meeting in Vieux Fort South, emphasising the importance of fair pay.
“I want the workers of the Bank to know that we stand with them for their rights to fair pay. We cannot allow the workers of this country to continue to suffer!” Joseph, the first deputy leader of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP), stated.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre referred to the 1st National Bank situation at Monday’s regular pre-cabinet press briefing, stating his concern over any instability in the financial system.
Pierre called on all parties involved to return to the bargaining table.
He also intended to speak with the Bank’s Chairman and the labour commissioner to facilitate a resolution.
“The government has no shareholdings in the 1st National Bank, but as Minister of Finance, the climate of the financial system is important to me,” Pierre stated, adding, “I have not been briefed on the issues because a bank is a purely private entity, but I will be making a call to the Chairman of the Bank to ask him his side of the story. I will also be calling the Labour Commissioner later today, but I hope that good sense prevails, and the workers return to work as soon as possible, and that would have to be the responsibility of management to get together with the workers so that we can end up with a win-win situation.”
In addition to the protests, a petition titled “Rescind 1st National Bank’s nomination for both Awards at the 2024 ECCU Bank Awards. THEY NEED TO TREAT STAFF AND CUSTOMERS BETTER!” has gained traction online, reaching 326 signatures, or 94% of its goal, as of the time of publishing this report.
