This, according to trade unionist Sir Roy Trotman define the recent layoffs at car dealers McEnearney Quality Inc. (MQI).

Speaking at a press conference at the Barbados Workers Union’s Solidarity House headquarters, he stated: “MQI was one of the original signatories to there being any social partnership, and it has been one in the models in the idea of the sharing that there was through the partnership.

“The people who ran the company before were loyal and committed to the Barbados way of doing business and to advancing the interests of all Bajans rather than just a privileged few…”

Media reports on Tuesday indicated the Wildey, St. Michael-based dealership would be laying off up to 20 workers.

Today, Assistant General Secretary of the BWU, Clifford Mayers told the press the number was reduced to 11 and as a result of pressure from the BWU, those who were laid off were told to report for duty on Wednesday.

Mayers added that MQI’s management blamed monthly losses in income - up to $400,000 per month - for the layoffs, despite having an increased market share in the Barbadian market.

Sir Roy revealed MQI’s management did not discuss its intention to lay off staff with the BWU, adding: “The closest they came to informing anybody [of the layoffs] was when they made a threat that unless my colleagues who were negotiating with them would accept a position they put on the table, that then they would take such an action.”

He explained the threat related to MQI’s unwillingness to pay overtime to workers who are paid by the hour, preferring to only pay overtime to those paid by the week.

“Something would have to be wrong with that kind of approach, and it speaks again to a set of people who don’t quite understand how we deal in business and our concept of what is just and what is fair,” Sir Roy asserted.

Additionally, the trade union revealed the posts of the laid-off workers were replaced once they had left.

“When … my colleagues arrived on the work site they saw other people doing the same work that other people were laid off from.

“According to the laws of Barbados, if you have made people redundant you cannot under three years engage anybody to do that same work… Yet a well-established Barbadian company, or a used-to-be Barbadian company, has now taken a position that is very un-Barbadian, and is contrary to all sense of decency and fair play in our country.”

Sir Roy described the move as illegal, stating the Minister of Labour must first be made aware of the company’s intention to lay off staff, which is followed by a presentation to the head of the social partnership to justify it. (Barbados Today)