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****Before the PAM administration of 1980, the Bradshaw-led Labour Administration enacted a contentious policy mandating deductions from the wages of every employee in the sugar industry and some industrial site workers, funneling these funds to the labor union regardless of membership status or approval. This coercive measure, widely condemned as draconian and dictatorial, elicited strong opposition from the populace.Upon assuming office in 1980, the Sir Kennedy Simmonds-led administration swiftly repealed this mandatory payment policy, which had elevated the labor union to unprecedented wealth and influence. Legislation was enacted to cease automatic deductions from employee salaries for union dues, reserving deductions solely for social security.However, the union leadership, accustomed to their power and affluence, faltered in adapting to the new landscape. Lacking competence, creativity, and innovation, they failed to maintain the union’s strength and relevance. Even subsequent administrations, including the Douglas-led Labour Party from 1995 to 2015, neglected to support the union’s revival, instead integrating union leaders into political roles, further undermining its independence.Over time, the union became increasingly intertwined with the SKN Labour Party, losing its identity as an advocate for worker rights. Members dwindled, with those remaining often perceived as loyalists rather than representatives of contemporary worker concerns.While the decision to end mandatory union dues relieved workers of financial compulsion, it also exposed the union’s inability to adapt. Despite initiatives like the introduction of bonuses by the PAM/NRP administration, subsequent governments, including the current Dr. Terrance Drew-led SKN Labour Administration, have shown little interest in advancing the union’s cause.In a symbolic move, the SKN Labour Party has distanced itself from the union, relocating its headquarters from the traditional union office to a multimillion-dollar property. The union, once a formidable force, has effectively disappeared under the current administration, highlighting the waning influence of organized labor in St. Kitts and Nevis.