KG SXM v Unions' Court Case Outcome
On June 25th, 2021, the Court in First Instance prohibited the ABVO and NAPB unions to organize meetings, work interruptions, and public manifestations, as long as these harm the proper functioning of Government, for a period of one week. A full judgment will follow on Friday July 2nd, 2021.
Prior to granting Country Sint Maarten?s main claim, the Court expressed its severe displeasure with the situation and stated that parties should sit together and solve the current dispute amicably. The Court reminded the unions about the rules established by the Supreme Court regarding industrial actions by unions. The Court also expressed its confidence in the law enforcement officials not doing anything that tampers with the proper function of Government.
During the hearing, the president of the NAPB expressed that their main issues are firstly to continue the dialogue, secondly the situation surrounding the function books, thirdly updates, and fourthly the vacation allowances.
During the hearing, representatives of Country Sint Maarten expressed that the injunction was an action of last resort, after five days of strikes and threats to the public order and safety and the explicit threats to the tourism industry.
The Ministry of Justice is happy that its main claim was awarded till the final decision, which will come next week Friday. Also that the ABVO and NAPB have to sit with the Ministry to make their demands known and have a dialogue about all issues of concern. The Ministry would like to point out that in the meetings of June 22nd and June 24th the progress of the function books were discussed and explained already to the unions. Tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th, 2021 a pre-arranged working session will take place at Government building with the unions to go over the Function Books. Therefore, the Ministry is looking forward to hear the other concerns the Unions may have.
