Friday, June 30, 2006

Members of the Cayman Brac Labour Tribunal receive training from Appleby Spurling Hunter Associates. (Left to right) Theresa Tibbetts, Dennis Ebanks, Denise Archer (Secretary to the Tribunal), Chris Johnston, Lenny Neckerman, Vaughan Carter (Deputy Chief Officer of the Ministry of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports & Culture), Ellen Lazzari and Ward Sykes.

Cayman Brac now has its own Labour Tribunal dedicated to dealing with employment issues on the sister island, according to a release from the Ministry of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Taking the initial step in making the service fully operational, volunteers met in the Brac last week to receive formal training from Cayman law firm, Appleby Spurling Hunter.

This is the first time that such comprehensive training has been provided to any Labour Tribunal and the release states that the Ministry is particularly pleased that this has occurred in Cayman Brac.

The Cayman Brac Labour Tribunal will provide a body to receive and hear issues pertaining to private sector employment in the Brac, as provided for under the Labour Law.
Tribunals typically provide benefits for both employees and employers and the Ministry anticipates that the creation of the new Brac tribunal will meet with a consensus of approval among the local community.

The establishment of an effective vehicle for settling disputes will also serve to promote fair and best practice in the workplace, says the release.

This latest development in the provision of employment services follows calls earlier in the year by Employment Minister, the Hon Alden McLaughlin, for volunteers to assist in the delivery of this critical public service.

The Minister's calls were met with an encouraging response and it is anticipated that new appointments to the Grand Cayman Labour Tribunals and the Labour Appeals Tribunal will also be made shortly.

The Cayman Brac Labour Tribunal is composed of four local business figures, Ellen Lazzari, Dennis Ebanks, Lenny Neckerman and Theresa Tibbetts.

Ms Lazzari, local businesswoman and Chair person for the Cayman Brac Labour Tribunal said she is thrilled to take up her new role.

She said, "It is an honour to serve my community and be a part of the historic Labour Tribunal for the Sister Islands." 

In respect of the training that was received, Ms Lazzari added, "Members of the Tribunal can only benefit from the experience and guidance of well qualified employment lawyers."

Expressing his gratitude to the new appointees, Mr McLaughlin said, "Sitting on a Labour Tribunal is no small commitment. I am sincerely grateful to our volunteers for giving up their time to perform this most vital of public services and I commend them for their civic-mindedness."

The Minister also welcomed the generosity of Appleby Spurling Hunter, for facilitating the donation of services by volunteer Associates, Ward Sykes and Chris Johnston, to conduct training for the new Tribunal members.

Mr McLaughlin said, "I am delighted by the generosity of Huw Moses and Nick Joseph of Appleby Spurling Hunter, and their volunteer staff, for helping to equip Tribunal members with the tools to perform their role effectively."

The Minister added, "This is an exemplary demonstration of productive public-private partnership. There are always ways in which the private sector can provide support for government initiatives. Similar assistance is being sought for the Tribunals in Grand Cayman and we would be delighted to hear from potential corporate supporters."

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