ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The international umbrella body of trade unions, UNI Global Union, has written to

the telecommunications company, Cable and Wireless, seeking a meeting to discuss its merger with Columbus International.

The union said it was also seeking a Caribbean-wide meeting to discuss the implications for regional telecoms workers.

UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings, in his letter to Cable and Wireless’ Phillip Bentley, said the situation has become more urgent following the industrial action taken by the company’s workers here last week.

“Our affiliate ABWU (Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union) authorised the strike because Cable & Wireless and FLOW employees had been told they would all have to re-apply for their jobs,” Jennings said.

Jennings said that proposal was apparently undertaken by local management without any dialogue or consultation with the union and should be withdrawn.

“Our affiliates in Cable & Wireless have expressed their solidarity with the ABWU and are following the events closely,” Jennings said.

More than 30 workers from the telecommunications company downed tools last Friday over concerns that the impending merger would negatively affect their employment.

The company’s management described the action as illegal and informed workers, via email, that they would not be paid for the day the strike action was taken.

The ABWU said the letter was an intimidating tactic and that it will be requesting that the company rescind the email to the employees.