President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Kimberley Agard believes the appointment of a general secretary will bring some stability to the organisation.
Her comments have come after Richard Greene beat out veteran trade unionist Wayne Walrond for the coveted post, following a lengthy meeting of the union’s National Council at the NUPW’s Dalkeith, St Michael headquarters on Monday.
Greene and Walrond were the only two candidates who applied for the position. Walrond has been appointed as the new deputy general secretary.
Greene has worked at the NUPW for almost three decades and last served as deputy general secretary. He will become the first person to be appointed to the position following Roslyn Smith’s retirement at the end of March, 2019.
Delcia Burke acted as general secretary following Smith’s departure until her retirement at the end of 2020. Walrond had been acting in the post since then.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Agard said Greene’s appointment was done via a “transparent process” and was a “sign of stability”.
“It is not necessarily the person chosen but that an approved and transparent process was successfully completed. It’s a sign of stability to have an appointed leader who would be more assertive and confident in the execution of their role,” Agard said.
“The NUPW as an organisation will continue on its path of resurgence and growth. These appointments will facilitate the continued journey of success and achievements in representing, defending and protecting the interests of members.”
In explaining the process Agard said the National Council of the NUPW had the duty to appoint the posts of general secretary and deputy general secretary.
When contacted Greene said, “I’m not giving a comment right now. Out of respect, I am engaging with stakeholders first before I give any statements. I will probably hold a press conference and invite everyone and I will speak generally of my plans and what we want to do as an organisation,” he said.
However, Walrond, who has served in several capacities at the NUPW for almost 40 years told Barbados TODAY though he was a bit surprised at the result, he fully accepted the decision made by the National Council.
“I would say that the result was surprising. The decision was surprising but it is one that you have to live with, given the fact I know that I have established myself as a veteran trade unionist and had confidence among the general membership. There was no doubt that I have been a proven trade unionist, but the National Council made a decision,” Walrond said.
Greene’s appointment as general secretary brings an end to much controversy surrounding the post.
Following her forced retirement by the NUPW in 2019, Smith took action against the union, claiming that she was unfairly dismissed. That matter is yet to be adjudicated.
And in June, 2021, a move was made to make then president of the union Akanni McDowall the NUPW’s first Secretary-General. In an unprecedented move, scores of members of the union signed a petition requesting a Special Meeting to advance arguments for McDowall to be installed as Secretary-General for the next four years with immediate effect.
However, McDowall was unsuccessful in his attempt and was eventually suspended from the NUPW.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
The post Union looking forward to stable leadership under new general secretary appeared first on Barbados Today.