The Editor, Sir:

In his article entitled 'Shred the budget', dated April 19, your columnist, Martin Henry, wrote: "Union leaders kicked up the usual dust and fuss, bawling dictatorship, but quickly found themselves on the wrong side of public opinion and the opinion of their rank-and-file membership, who understands the global economic crisis, a calculation which Golding had shrewdly made and tied to his own symbolic but politically potent salary cut. Only the silence of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) in the whole episode has been more conspicuous than the rapid retreat of the Confederation."

Mr Henry suggests that the trade unions misjudged public opinion by kicking up dust and bawling dictatorship in response to the Government's decision to freeze public-sector wages in April, without understanding that their membership fully understood the global economic crisis and the implications for Jamaica.

Then he proceeds to criticise the BITU for not joining in kicking up this "dust" and bawling "dictatorship". As President of the BITU, I must inform Mr Henry that his comments have left us totally surprised. We have spent the last few weeks trying to understand what is his grouse, if any, with the response of the BITU.

Is he disappointed that we did not join the "chorus"? Is it that he felt he had to find a way to discredit the BITU? Or, have we misinterpreted his statement and he really meant well?

We are not sure and, in the circumstances, we would certainly appreciate if Mr Henry would clarify his statement about the union's actions. However, let me clarify our positions.

In regards to our response to the wage freeze, let me explain that we discussed the matter as a member union of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU). The decision was that the JCTU would speak on behalf of all member unions on this matter.

Not hiding behind the Confederation

The JCTU represents the interest of all major trade unions in Jamaica and the fact that it speaks on behalf of member unions should not be seen as a sign that any member union is hiding behind the leadership of the Confederation but, instead, that some unions are determined that the labour movement and its membership should continue to speak with one voice on national issues.

The BITU is committed to this process which is initiated and promoted by its eminent past president Hugh Shearer, who was not instrumental in the establishment of the JCTU.

I am etc.,

Kavan A. Gayle

President

Bustamante Industrial Trade Union