By Balford Henry, Staff ReporterAlthough United Estates, Bog Walk, St. Catherine, is up for sale, it will continue business as usual. The management of the troubled citrus company issued a release to that effect Friday night, in response to statements from the National Workers Union (NWU) on the decision to sell the estate and the company's reaction to the recent Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) award in favour of the workers.
In its release, United Estates' Committee of Management confirmed a report carried by The Gleaner last Monday that the estate was up for sale.
"The Committee of Management of United Estates Limited confirms that it has exercised its rights, as a privately owned entity, to offer its assets for sale. The company, however, would like to reassure all concerned that operations will continue as usual as the business is being advertised as a going concern," the release said.
The sale has raised concerns about the industrial relations climate there. In October, the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) awarded the workers improvements in pay and fringe benefits which the company has argued that it cannot afford.
Incompetent
Management Committee member, Peter McConnell, a Jamaica Labour Party Senator, reacted angrily describing members of the IDT as "incompetent senile geriatrics," during a debate on the Caribbean Court of Justice in the Senate on October 3.
On Friday, the company confirmed that its attorney, Gregory Reid, had filed a motion to "impeach" the recent award handed down by the IDT.
"The award would be onerous on the company as it would increase the company's wage bill by 70 per cent in year one and 90 per cent in year two. Accordingly, the company seeks to have the rulings overturned in order to enhance its sale price and better assure future viability", the release stated.
But, NWU President Clive Dobson, said on Friday that the union could not appreciate the company's financial position, because of the company's failure to provide the union with information on its financial position over the past three years since a request was made in May.
Mr. Dobson said that on a number of occasions, the IDT had requested similar information from the company, but that this was not received up to the end of the hearings into their pay dispute.
"The tribunal therefore like the NWU has received no empirical evidence, I would say no evidence at all, to substantiate the company's position as to their financial situation," he said.
Reprisal
He charged that any attempt to sell United Estates was in reprisal against the award, as only a couple years ago the company was seeking to acquire a larger property to expand and the management was speaking about the buoyancy of the venture.
Mr. Dobson said that his position was clear, namely that the award had been made and the union was awaiting the estates decision as to whether it will contest the award or not, or when talks will commence on the implementation of the award.
NWU island Supervisor Vincent Morrison said that certain actions taken by the company since could amount to victimization of the workers, but admitted that those actions had ended.
Mr. Dobson said that whether the company was sold or not, the award, unless overturned by the court, was legal and valid and would have to be honoured by the company.
The company said on Friday that it had submitted as part of its brief to the IDT a profit and loss account for the period 1991-1999. It said that four copies were sent to the IDT, one of which was given to the union and when further information was requested it was also provided.
