DISSATISFIED WITH the pace at which disputes are resolved at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles has indicated that a shake-up is looming at the arbitration body.

Charles told The Gleaner yesterday that the performance of the IDT was less than satisfactory.

Many of the cases now before the mediation body have surpassed a year without resolution. Disputes referred to the IDT should be settled within 21 days.

"It is unacceptable to me, and I will not continue to operate a ministry that forces workers off the streets in a strike and then holds their case for more than a year," Charles said.

He reported that measures would be introduced to restructure and improve the performance of the IDT shortly.

expanding the remit

Charles explained that the remit of the IDT would be expanded with the proposed passage of new legislation.

The labour minister said the bill would be taken to Parliament in a few weeks.

Under the current system, no dispute can be referred to the IDT unless the workers are unionised. Charles said that under the proposed new law, non-unionised workers would get the opportunity to appear before the IDT to resolve disagreements with management.

The contract of current chairman of the IDT, Donovan Hunter, expired at the end of last month.

However, Charles said Hunter has asked for an additional three months to bring closure to matters now before the tribunal.

Asked if Hunter would be reappointed to the post, the minister was reluctant to give a definitive answer. Charles said he would first meet with the unions and employers to discuss the new structure of the IDT before new appointments were made.

Meanwhile, attempts by The Gleaner to get information on the number of cases adjudicated by the IDT last year, and those which were resolved, were unsuccessful as Deslyn Clarke, the director/secretary of the tribunal, refused to provide answers, directing The Gleaner to the ministry.

Ironically, ministry officials had suggested that the tribunal would be responsible for providing the answers.

Earlier, Charles had made it clear that he had requested similar information from the tribunal.

According to the minister, the response from the IDT would allow him to assess the "work and value" of the dispute-resolution body.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com