Unions say Annisette doesn't represent labour movement's views

Embattled Independent Senator Michael Annisette is supposed to be a labour representative on the Senate.

But top leaders of the labour movement have serious doubts about whether he represents the views of labour and have suggested that he should be removed.

Annisette has been in the spotlight over his strong defence of UDeCOTT's rights to defend itself and take legal action against the Uff inquiry. He is a member of the board of the state organization and has consistently spoken on behalf of UDeCOTT.

Some of Annisette's Parliamentary colleagues have complained that his prounouncements have been a conflict of interest and have advised the president about it.

For his part President Richards has met with Annisette but details of their meeting have not been made public.

Read the story: President summons Annisette

Now Annisette is under fire as well from the movement he represents in Parliament.

President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations (FITUN), David Abdulah, said Friday Annisette's defence of UDeCOTT "has challenged his legitimacy as a representative of the labour movement".

He added, "Certainly on the issue of UDeCOTT, FITUN has a very different position and, therefore, Mr Annisette, Senator Annisette, does not speak for FITUN when it comes to UDeCOTT at all."

Two other trade union leaders - Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU) deputy president Mario Als and former Communications Workers Union president Lyle Townsend - share that view.

They told local media Annisette was acting independently of the labour movement in his recent defence of UDeCOTT and was certianly not representing the view of the labour movement on the issue.

Als noted, "Michael Annisette's view as it stands with UDeCOTT, are they representative of labour? I do not know that."

Townsend pointed out that Annisette has been acting as an agent of his employer, UDeCOTT, and the government.

Annisette has been a member of the UDeCOTT board since December 16, 2006. He told the Senate he is also a director on the boards of the five other State-owned enterprises "all in my capacity as a labour representative coming from the National Trade Union Centre".

However, Abdulah and Als claim that NATUC nor FITUN were never consulted about Annisette's appointment as an Independent Senator to represent the interests of the labour movement.

"If we were asked, we would have suggested somebody else," Abdulah said.