Policy – Re Support and Solidarity to Affiliates
Two principal objectives of the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA) are to promote and strengthen unity among Public Service Trade Unions and/or associations in the Caribbean Region, and to provide technical assistance in an effort to protect the rights and privileges of members.
Globalized economic policies have heavily influenced governments and business organizations to embark on policies and employment strategies which are often found to be in violation of the rights of employees, thus placing them in situations that are not conducive to just and productive working environments. Occupational safety and health are in many instances compromised. Labour laws and Collective Bargaining Agreements are disregarded. Reasonable and fair salary increases are regularly denied. For these and other reasons many affiliates call on the CPSA for support and solidarity. Very often though when support is requested sufficient information on the situation is lacking.
Consequently, The CPSA submits that in instances where support is being requested outside of Conference or Executive meetings, the Secretariat should be provided with a summary of the relevant matter to include inter alia:
- Nature of the problem
- Action already taken by the affiliate to deal with the issue
- Additional action which is being considered
- Local support and solidarity being given if any
- Detail of any legal advice being provided or action being taken.
In addition to the above if the matter is being discussed at Conference, affiliates will be required to submit draft resolutions or a position paper for discussion and to provide any clarification which may be needed.
CPSA as a body may decide to demonstrate its support or solidarity by doing any one or more of the following:
- Convey to the offending party, a resolution condemning the alleged offence
- Write letter(s) expressing its concerns to the offending party
- Issue a public statement (written or oral) making its position known
- Participate in locally organized protest against the offending party
- Invite affiliates to submit standard letters of support and/or petitions on behalf of the offended union to the appropriate authority
