On Monday, staff at the Gros Islet Fishermen’s Co-operative downed tools as management sought to address their concerns.
According to reports, the staff are upset over a recent altercation involving a gas pump attendant and a fisherman.
The co-op employs two individuals at its fuel station, as well as two others.
An individual familiar with the co-op’s operations told St. Lucia Times that some fishermen routinely abuse the organisation’s employees.
The official asserted that it was almost inevitable that the employees would take a stand.
The organisation’s President, Elias McPhee, told reporters that when he arrived at the co-op, the manager informed him of a staff sick-out regarding a ‘specific problem‘.
He said on Monday morning management was awaiting information in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Due to the sick-out, the employees would not provide fuel to fishers, about eighty of whom are co-op members.
However, McPhee explained that fishers refuel their vessels daily after returning from sea.
“So they have sufficient gas just for the day. But when they get back, it means that they will not be able to get fuel for the couple hours, couple days regarding how long it will take,” McPhee told reporters.
Nevertheless, he expected a speedy resolution to the problem.
