The University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) has achieved a significant victory by winning the representational rights poll at Hampden Sugar Estate, Trelawny, marking the end of a four-year effort to break the control of the sugar industry held by BITU-NWU. The UAWU garnered 534 of the 551 votes cast, with delegates and officials celebrating as the votes were counted. The poll, which had been contested since 1962, faced legal challenges and ultimately received support from the Ministry of Labour. UAWU President

PUBLISHED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1988

UAWU wins historic sugar poll

THE University and Allied Workers Union has won the representational rights poll at Hampden Sugar Estate, Trelawny, successfully concluding a four-year bid to break the BITU-NWU control of the sugar industry.

The union got 534 of the 551 votes cast. UAWU delegates and officials, including president Dr. Trevor Munroe, sipped white wine straight from the bottle as the votes were counted at the Ministry of Labour early yesterday morning.  Mr Lambert Brown, vice-president, was directly responsible for organising the workers.

The poll was conducted by the ministry on Tuesday at four locations in Trelawny.  It ended a prolonged struggle since 1962 by the UAWU in particular, and minor unions in general, to break into the sugar industry.  The issue went through the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court here and the British Privy Council, all of which ruled in favour of the poll being taken as soon as possible against the challenges of the Ministry of Labour.

The official results were: of 684 persons eligible, 534 voted for the UAWU, 14 voted against, three votes were spoilt, and 133 persons did not vote.

Speaking after the results were declared, Dr Munroe said the workers of Hampden had created history by their action.  “I am proud to have led the union, which made this breakthrough, “he said.

Asked whether he felt that this was the beginning of further successes in the sugar industry for the UAWU, Dr. Munroe said: “Wherever the sugar workers want us we will answer the call, and we hope to be able to work with all those who have the interest of the sugar workers at heart.”

Asked whether he felt there would be animosity between the unions, he said: “We have no animosity towards the other unions, whatsoever.  We expect cooperation in ending the slave conditions that still exist in the sugar industry.”

Dr. Munroe said that the UAWU was not surprised at the results as its leadership had been in constant contact with the workers ever since the claim was made in 1984.

Mr. Brown told the press that the union was happy that approximately 98% of the workers who voted had supported the UAWU.

“In the end, the workers and the unions will be stronger for this victory.  We have crossed the river without being eaten by the alligators, and we are now entering the promised land.”

He warned that if the BITU and the NWU did not pull up their socks at the other estates, the UAWU would respond to the call of the workers if requested.

The UAWU officers suggested a change in the industrial relations system to make it easier for workers to obtain legal aid.  Dr. Munroe said his union had to pay thousands of dollars to carry through its case at Hampden and if it could not have afforded it, it would have had to drop the case.  He suggested that all unions be required to face the polls regularly.

Neither Mr. Lloyd Francis, the BITU’s spokesman on sugar, nor the NWU’s Mr Vincent Morrison were available for comment yesterday.

Eight officers of the Ministry of Labour conducted the polling on Tuesday.  They were Mr. Richie Hall, who supervised the operations; Mr. Herman Baker; Mr. Errol Miller, Miss Arlene Richards; Mrs. Lilleth Hamilton; Mr. Orville Taylor; Mrs. Chelsea Brown; and Mr. Karl Wedderburn.

No incident was reported during the polling.