In what could best be described as a prelude to next week's labor summit, leaders of management and organized labor came together at the 14th annual Labor Management Conference in an attempt to revitalize the territory's sagging economy.
The day-long event featured remarks by key government officials, including acting Gov. Gerard Luz James II, Delegate to Congress Donna Christian-Christensen, Labor Commissioner Sonia Jacobs-Dow and Sens. Gregory Bennerson, Roosevelt David and David Jones.
Breakout workshops were also a part of the day's activities, which focused on how labor and management can contribute to jump-starting the economy.
The conference saw the 1999 Frances Dunham award being bestowed on labor representative Luis "Tito" Morales and management representative Valdemar Hill Jr., a senior official with St. Croix's HOVENSA company. Morales was recognized for his commitment to labor and Hill was commended for his ability to serve as a neutral third party in labor-mediating disputes between management and labor.
Dunham, who was at the conference, was hailed as having set the pace for labor and management to disagree without becoming hostile towards each other. In the past disputes have virtually crippled all sectors of the economy. A former recipient of the Dunham award, Glen J. Smith of the teachers union, said, "Much of the peace we have today can be attributed to Ms. Dunham's efforts."
The keynote speaker for the event was economist and UVI professor Simon Jones-Hendrickson.
The labor summit set for next Monday and Tuesday is being held at the call of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull. A news blackout has been agreed to by both Government House and labor until the summit ends either Monday night or Tuesday. Representatives of labor and Government House are expected to hold a joint news conference at the end of the summit.
The controversial subjects of retroactive wages and negotiated raises are likely to headline the discussions.
All unions in the territory have been invited, including those not owed retroactive wages.
