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Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

The first BEWU election was held on January 27th, 2011. The results of the election were certi-fied on February 24th, 2011. On April 19th, 2011, the elected President resigned, and the Vice President, Mr. Urban Smith (the BEWU’s first Family Island VP and Acting President) took the helm of the union as Acting President. On June 15th, 2011, a presidential election was held and on June 22nd the Department of Labor certified the results of the Presidential elections.

BEWU Year in Review 2011 Election 2011

BEWU Administration Upon taking office, the new administra-tion found itself with a tremendous amount of debt, including two (2) active law suits. The union was able to re-finance its mortgage on the union build-ing to the tune of One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand Dollars ($186,000.00) the majority of which went towards paying off fully, the out-standing dept that the new administra-tion met in place. The balance of the funds is being used to continue work on the Union Building. Mr. Kranston Simms – Executive Board Member, was involved in an accident. Kran-ston was injured, hospitalized and is now at home recovering. Please let us keep Kran-ston in our prayers, as a visit, email or phone call will be greatly appreciated.

BEWU Keeping the Memory Alive Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condo-lences go out the family, friends and co-workers of our Dearly Departed Brothers. May their souls rest in Peace! Mr. Bruce Sands – Electrical Technician and Mr. Delroy Daxon – Assistant Plant Operator, Clifton Pier P/S

Mr. Stephano C. V. Greene— President Mr. Urban Smith - Vice President Mrs. Gina Russell - Secretary General Mrs. Nia Mills - Asst. Secretary General Ms. Vinteerie Adderley- Treasurer Ms. Aquila Knowles- Assistant Treasurer Mr. Michael Edgecombe- Chief Shop Steward Mr. Keyshon Moss - Executive Board Member Mr. Kranston Simms - Executive Board Member Mrs. Sabrina Bain - Executive Board Member Mr. Kevin Lockheart - Trustee Mrs. Gloria Moss - Trustee Mr. Richard A. Wright- Trustee

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BEWU Building – Gregory Street and Farrington Road

Upon taking office, the Executive placed focus on the new BEWU building. The build-ing had been sitting for quite some time with-out any work being done to it. The union initially had the building cleaned and held an open house along with having the first union meeting at the building for the Presidential nominations. The Executives to date has gotten the electri-cal supply at the union building, along with the meter for the owner’s supply installed. An assessment of the building indicated that the doors have to be changed along with sev-eral broken windows. Contracts have already been awarded to have the work done. Focusing on the three (3) shop spaces on the ground floor, the union has already gotten the three shop spaces tiled out. Additionally, the entrance area has also been tiled. In the up-coming weeks, work will continue to be done with a view of completing the three shop spaces preparing them for leasing and also securing the upstairs area and the back of the yard. The Union looks forward to completing works on the Union Building, and having a soft opening of the building in the upcoming weeks.

BEWU Union Office – Poinciana Drive The union office located on Poinciana Drive was unoccupied for over two years. Upon taking of-fice, the new Executive team had the office cleaned and re-opened. All outstanding bills were paid up for the office including rent, telephone and cable/internet bills. The union rehired the Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Indira Williamson, who was very instru-mental in getting the office up and running. Mrs. Williamson is in the office for two days a week. The union also took advantage of the Govern-ment’s Employment Assistance Program and engaged the assistance of Ms. Patrinka Johnson for one year. Now the union office is opened five days a week Mondays – Fridays from 9am – 5pm. The office numbers are 322-4289 or 322-4711 (fax). The union’s email address is bewuba-hamas@gmail.com .

BEWU Labour Day and Social Labour Day 2011 was again a huge suc-cess. The BEWU in its usual fashion went all out for the annual Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day celebration held on Friday June 3, 2011. On February 17th, 2012, the BEWU part-nered with the BEC sports and social club along with the BEUMU to hold a joint social for all employees of the corporation. Everyone had a Great Time!!!.

BEWU Training and Seminars The BEWU through the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas (NCTUB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) took advantage of as many training programs and seminars as possible. They are as follows but not limited to;

NCTUB Labour College , Certificate in Labour Studies.

NCTUB/ ILO Media Workshop. NCTUB International Woman’s Day

Symposium. Anthony Thompson & Co. Legal Aid

Clinic. ILO Workshop - Elimination Haz-

ardous Child Labour. NCTUB/ ILO workshop on Occupa-

tional Health and safety. BHC&AWU Shop Steward Seminar Caribbean Congress of Labour Re-

gional Assessment - HIV NCTUB Worker's Platform

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Abaco M. Latoya Lightbourne – Area Vice President Ms. Michelle Thurston - Secretary General Ms. Monique Curry - Treasurer Mr. Javares McIntosh - Chief Shop Steward Ms. Anitra Cornish - Asst Secretary Mr. Marvin Mills - Asst. Treasurer

Eleuthera

Mr. Donald Fernander –Area Vice President Mr. Kevin Cambridge – Chief Shop Steward Mr. Alvin Johnson – Secretary General Mr. Cranston Scavella - Treas-urer

Exuma & the Southern Bahamas – Area Vice President Mr. David Pinder - Secretary Gen-eral Mr. Clifford Strachan - Treasurer Mr. Leonard Dames Jr.- Chief Shop Steward Mr. Kendal Rolle - Asst Secretary/treasurer

BEWU South Andros On January 20th, 2012, the President along with Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to South Andros to meet and hold a social with the members there. This was the first meeting and social held in South Andros in over 16 years, and the first time a President has been to South Andros in over 9 years.

BEWU Abaco On October 20, 2011, the BEWU held elections for the BEWU Abaco area branch. Travelling to Abaco to oversee the elections were the President- Stephano Greene, Secretary General – Gina Russell and Trustee- Mr. Richard A. Wright. The results of the Abaco branch elections were historical with the first ever female President for the BEWU- Ms. Latoya Lightbourne. On November 8th, 2011, the President travelled back to Abaco to be a part of the first BEWU Abaco branch meeting conducted by President Latoya Lightbourne.

BEWU Long Island On February 28th, 2012, the President along with Urban Smith, Clifford Strachan and Kendal McPhee and Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to Long Island to meet with the BEWU mem-bers and management of Long Island operations.

BEWU Exuma On February 28th, 2012, the President along with the Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to Exuma to meet with members and hold a lunch time social.

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BEWU - Benefits of Membership:

Excellent Representation, Sick Benefit, Hospitalization Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Disability Benefit, Death Benefit Retirement Benefit.

BEWU Shop Stewards Bimini - Mr. Pedrito Roberts North Andros - Mr. Anthony Evans Central Andros - Mr. Prince Duncombe South Andros - Mr. Anthony Andrews Great Harbour Cay - Mr. Norman Bastian Cat Island -Mr. Arthur Maycock San Salvador -Mr. Raymond Jones Accounts - Big Pond - Mr. Marcus Pratt Mr. Kevin Collie Mr. Kennedy Strachan Mr. Troy Cargill Mr. Radley Collie Mr. Kevin Collie Mr. Basil Thompson Mr. Charles Knowles Mr. Cyril Minnis Mr. Sean Cargill Mr. Otto McLounder Mr. Devon Rox

Cust. Services – Call Center - Ms. Thelma Neely Cust. Services – Cashiers- Ms. Anishka Christie Cust. Services – Mall- Mr. Toyel Newry Generation & Family Island - Mr. Selvyn Rolle Human Resources - Internal Audit- Meter Reader/Disconnectors- Mr. Nathan Coakley Planning - Mr. Allan Adderley Stores- Mr. Gregory Clarke Supply Chain- Support Services- System Control- Ms. Omease Joffre Transport- Mr. Kevin Ferguson Customer Services - Blue Hills P/S- Mr. Ricardo Gray Mr. Kyle Wilson Mr. Samuel Johnson Mr. Stephen Adderley Mr. Christopher Virgil Mr. Sergio Davis Mr. Samuel Johnson Mr. Michael Simmons Mr. Newman Munroe

Clifton Pier P/S - Mr. Carlington Pratt Mr. Merrill Johnson Mr. Javon Bonaby Mr. Edwin Thompson Mr. Tanico Colebrooke Mr. Kendrick Clarke Mr. Carl Kemp Mr. Edwin Burrows Mr. Darron Gilbert Mr. Javon Stuart Mr. Kareem Williams