THE EDITOR, Sir:

Conflict in and of itself is not a bad thing, as often the changes that occur from the resolution of conflicts form the basis of our laws and customs.

Of great concern to us, however, is the spiralling crime problem. I wish to propose that there seems to be a correlation existing between crime and violence and our inability to effectively handle grievances.

Today's management is required to manage a more educated workforce. Gone are the days when managers had the highest academic qualifications in organisations. Today, the qualifications of their subordinates are on par and in some cases excel those of some managers.

Segregation occurs when there is an inherent bias in the treatment of one group against another. There is the tendency therefore that when grievances arise in organisations which involve management and non-management grades, the tendency is for management to back management.

What is necessary is for 'blind justice' to take effect. The facilitators (usually arms of management) may feel pressured into demonstrating objectivity. As it may be perceived that if the union is right it may send a negative signal as management would appear to 'lose face'. The same scenario plays itself out in the justice system in cases where it is alleged that some judges and jurors tend to display bias in their tendency to believe agents of the State because they are agents of the State over and above non-agents of the State.

The effect

The effect of all of this is that like the children of Israel, we continue to journey 40 years in the wilderness to find the promised land when it could have taken three days. We are the ones who should formulate workable models for our own society. There needs to be the kind of impartiality that without fear or contradiction calls a spade a spade.

Our institutions mirror our society; happily we have not reached the place where we are exchanging physical blows, although we might very well be there psychologically. It's time to move on from the same old same old, the future of our nation depends on it.

I am, etc.,

JOAN FRANCIS

President

University of Technology, Administrative

& Support Staff Association (UTASSA)

Member of the Joint Confederation of

Trade Unions (JCTU)