Bridgetown.
Workers at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) were off the job in protest against the appointment of Michelle Arthur as acting director of news and current affairs.
Employee from all departments assembled outside the CBC at the for the entire day protesting what they say is a case of superssion.
Arthur, the news editor in charge of assignments was appointed to act as director of news and current affairs while veteran journalist Arnon Dyal who was acting in the postition since September was returned as of yesterday to his substantive post of news editor.
Once employee told Trakker News that many felt Arthur's promotion was political."We are fed up with the political interference", the employee said.
Late yesterday evening shop steward at the CBC Garry Durrant, two representatives and Dyal met with acting general manager Rowell London,the meeting lasted less than five minutes as London informed the group that no discussions could take place unless the workers returned to work.
London in a press release stated, it was agreed at the meeting that staff would return to their post and the matter would be discussed in accordance with the agrement between CBC and the Barbados Workers Union (BWU). According to London some workers returned to the job, others did not.
He expressed disapointment that the workers have continuued to stay off the job and has sent a letter to the BWU outlining his concerns.
General Secretary of the BWU has also written a letter to the management of the CBC requesting a meeting today to discuss the work stoppage.
London said the industrial action left a skeleton crew to manage some key areas of CBC,which had some impact on live programming planned for TV 8. However the strike had little impact on radio or Multi Choice TV programming.
Arthur managed the newsroom along with head of sports Mark Seale, free-lancer Dale Forde and newly appointed sports reporter Damien Best.
