February 12, 2014

Dear Sir,

We have seen an emotional leadership with power and have some feelings of apprehension, as we all know what power does.

That is not to say that the leader of the union should not be strong, but it is to say that the power must be tempered with good old fashioned common sense, and collaboration.

To tell the workers to understand, that, yes, they should stand up for their rights, but not to the extent whereby they kill the golden goose, for if there is no golden goose, then their fight will be useless, as there will be no work or workers’ rights, for them to fight over.

With clever rhetoric, and charismatic ability to address the masses, a kind of emotion can be whipped up, and lead to a dangerous mob like energy, that can very easily get out of control.

We all know from history how dangerous “People Power” can be. We also know it can be for good, or it can be for bad, and that bad can turn a country into chaos over night.

The Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel situation was badly handled, with little respect for the Collective Bargaining Agreement or the union. There was also a gross lack of compassion for the barmen, who have families to feed and rent to pay, which was inflammatory to say the least.

You cannot just tell a person they are redundant, with a mortgage, family, and bills to be paid.

At this stage the union leader must also be mindful of the harm a strike would do for the country. When one sits down to figure how much a strike like this costs the country, apart from the harmful publicity to potential visitors, we have to weigh that against assuring those laid off that they will be looked after until things can be worked out.

The lessons learned must be in stone for the welfare and future of this lovely little island, in order for it to prosper peacefully and get on with laying that golden egg again.

Diana Williams