THE BARBADOS WORKERS’ UNION
Hands off our Right to Strike! The right to strike is a basic human right, which was won through struggle – yet all over the world this right is under attack. In many countries, unions exercising the right to industrial action are routinely met with repressive measures ranging from threats and sackings to violence and even murder. Fortunately, in Barbados we have not yet experienced the most extreme or overt forms of violation of the right to strike. This weapon of last resort is still being effectively used to resolve issues where social dialogue and other efforts at securing justice were tried and failed. Members of the Barbados Workers’ Union and workers generally are therefore urged to recognise that this right still remains a cornerstone of democracy and our fight to achieve social justice. We must remain alert to subtle attempts of employers and other elements to undermine or even eliminate this right. Let us ensure that our right to strike remains a right. The BWU adds its thunderous support in strengthening the call for workers across the world to have the right to strike where it does not exist and to protect the right to collective bargaining and the inherent right to strike where it is under threat. Solidarity forever!