The Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) has slammed trade unions on Labour Day questioning its relevance to those who pay dues. In a statement on Monday morning, the PEP said, "Any march or observances today by the union that allowed Petrotrin to be shut down and all, all, all workers fired is a slap in the face to the trade union movement of Butler."
It went further in saying, "Race politics and corruption have removed the union’s power to represent those who pay their dues. Collective bargaining agreements have neutered mighty organisations and allowed the CPO to force 4% as the only offer to stick, despite the fact that the cost of living increased beyond thirty and some say fifty percent since the last increase."
The PEP slammed unions for only talking, stating, "What’s the purpose of Labour Day today besides allowing some toothless bulldogs to bark and to threaten the direction of the vote of the membership? Where in the representation agreement did the workers give the leadership so to do."
It concluded by encouraging workers to use the holiday to reflect on "what they’ve really gotten for all that loyalty."