workers' voice, january, 2013

7/29/2019 Workers' Voice, January, 2013

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INSIDE THIS ISSUEINSIDE THIS ISSUEINSIDE THIS ISSUE

BEWU Responds ToBEWU Responds ToBEWU Responds ToExecutive ChairmanExecutive ChairmanExecutive Chairman

Pg. 2Pg. 2Pg. 2

Supreme Court OrdersSupreme Court OrdersSupreme Court OrdersBHCAWU ElectionsBHCAWU ElectionsBHCAWU Elections

Pg. 4Pg. 4Pg. 4

Contract Workers at WSCContract Workers at WSCContract Workers at WSCMade PermanentMade PermanentMade Permanent

Pg. 5Pg. 5Pg. 5

Citizens for Justice DemandsCitizens for Justice DemandsCitizens for Justice DemandsResolution for City MarketResolution for City MarketResolution for City Market

WorkersWorkersWorkers

Pg. 6Pg. 6Pg. 6

NCTUB President AddressesNCTUB President AddressesNCTUB President AddressesConstitution CommitteeConstitution CommitteeConstitution Committee Pg. 7Pg. 7Pg. 7

BFSU Holds AGMBFSU Holds AGMBFSU Holds AGM Pg. 12Pg. 12Pg. 12

Uncommon Courage, Remem-Uncommon Courage, Remem-Uncommon Courage, Remem-bering The General Strikebering The General Strikebering The General Strike

Pg. 13Pg. 13Pg. 13

Useful LinksUseful LinksUseful Links Pg. 15Pg. 15Pg. 15

January, 2January, 2January, 2V o l u m e 1V o l u m e 1V o l u m e 1

National Congress of Trade Unions of TheNational Congress of Trade Unions of TheNational Congress of Trade Unions of The


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P A G EV O L U M E 1

The BEWU is extremely disheartened with the Executive Chairman, who contin-

ues to put our members health and lives at risk by releasing and speaking aboutsalaries and overtime that employees work at BEC, this needs to STOP! It is sur-

prising that the Chairman does not tell the

Bahamian Public how much money he is paidas Executive Chairman of BEC, if he is receiv-

ing the benefit of the BEC insurance plan and

not paying for insurance coverage and whetheror not there were any increases in salaries for

him and the board of directors at BEC?

It is was with total shock that we the members

of The Bahamas Electrical Workers Union(BEWU) sat yesterday January14, 2013 and

read personal BEC information in the Nassau

Guardian and watched and listened to Mr.

Leslie Miller Executive Chairman of BEC,continue to release private and personal infor-

mation as it relates to employee salaries andovertime payments without telling the full

story as it relates to working of overtime

within BEC. It is surprising that the verysame information released to the press from

the Internal Audit Department is the same

information presented by the Chairman in Parlia-

ment on Monday. It is our hope that an investiga-tion takes place to find out who released the private and personal BEC information

to the press and that person is terminated immediately! The union also hopes thatan investigation is made to take place on some of the financial decisions made by the

chairman and the board since this board took office, inclusive of the parking lot, theChristmas party and the new security firm, just to name a few!

Hon. Leslie MillerExecutive Chairman, BEC


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The impression out there being placed by the chairman is that employees are going

out there, working overtime and stealing from the corporation. This is the furthestthing from the truth, as this would constitute a major breach of contract and em-

ployees can be terminated for stealing from the corporation.

It is very surprising to the union that the chairman tells the BahamianPublic that

. The chairman refuses to tell the Bahamian Public that employeescannot take it upon themselves to work overtime because if they do they would not

get paid. The chairman refuses to tell the Bahamian Public that each overtimeform has to be agreed to and signed by someone of executive authority within thecorporation before the employee can be paid. The chairman is refusing to tell the

Bahamian Public that employees are required and requested to work overtime andwhen employees refuse to work overtime they are frowned upon by the corporation

and in some cases they are discriminated against if they refuse to work overtime.

Seeing that overtime being worked at BEC is such a big issue, and seeing that the

overtime payments at BEC is being mainly associated by the chairman for the high

cost of electricity, the union is encouraging the chairman of BEC to instruct man-agement at BEC to stop employees from working overtime immediately. Addition-

ally, the union hopes that the corporation does not hire outsiders to come in and

perform work during overtime hours as this will also contribute to high electricitybills. The union also hopes that the chairman will get rid of all of the foreigners

currently working at Clifton pier power station and any other foreigners currentlyemployees at BEC as this also assists in the high cost of electricity.

The union will also assist in the reduction of overtime within the corporation by

asking our members not to work overtime.

It is the unions hope, that when the chairman instructs the corporation to stop allovertime, and gets rid of all the foreigners working at BEC, he reduces electricity

bills for the Bahamian Public immediately!

Information submitted byMr. Stephano GreenePresident, BEWU


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It would seem that the Bahamas

Hotel Catering and Allied WorkersUnion (BHCAWU) is preparing for

yet another contentious election. Ina Supreme Court Decision, ChiefJustice, Sir Michael Barnett ruledthat the BHCAWU must hold elec-tions on or before 28th February,

2013. This follows a challenge byMr. David Beckford, Chief ShopSteward, against the ExecutiveCouncil charging that elections

should have been held in May, 2012.Mr. Beckford claims that by notholding its Tri-Annual Meeting andgeneral elections last year, the

current executives beached the constitution. The Executive Council however, contends thattheir team was elected in elected April, 2010, subsequently elections should be held in

2013. Notwithstanding this, Chief Justice Barnett ruled that their 3 year term began in2009.

The dispute lies in the three elections which were held. The

current team was first elected 26th May, 2009, but theresults were overturned by the Supreme Court in July, 2009.A second election was held 29th September, 2009 and bothelections were overturned in the Court of Appeal and a thirdelection ordered. Ms. Martin and the A-Team were elected27th April, 2010, nevertheless, Ms. Martin has decided not

to appeal and will comply with the Courts ruling.

Mr. Beckford will challenge Ms. Martin for the Presidency.

The BHCAWU is the largest union in the country and Ms.Martin is its first female president and one of the youngestpersons to lead a trade union.

A-Team Reloaded

Ms. Nicole MartinPresident, BHCAWU


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The Bahamas UtilitiesServices and Allied WorkersUnion (BUSAWU) and the

Water and Sewage Corpora-tion (WSC) have finally cometo an agreement that ALLContractual Workers at

WSC will be made perma-nent after one year of service.This agreement will impact103 employees.

In December, the anniver-sary/incremental dates for94 of these employees were

reverted back to the datesthey were hired. Theseemployees also received lumpsum payments of $600.00and Christmas Bonuses of$700.00.

To GOD be the glory.

Information submitted by the BUSAWU

BUSAWU Contract Workers

BUSAWU Executive Officers


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Citizens For Justice (CFJ) is demanding thatjustice be served and that displaced workers ofCity Market immediately be paid their long over-due severance pay. Citizens For Justice hasjoined in the fight of the many angry and abusedformer employees of City Market. CFJ is appeal-ing to unions throughout the nation to assistthese workers in bringing this matter to an end.

Bishop Walter S. Hanchell, Chairman of theadvocacy organization, stated, that "We areappalled that this matter is still pending aftermore than a year. It is shameful for Bahamianworkers of a company that was once a landmarkin business, have to suffer in these challengingtimes and be denied what is rightfully and law-fully theirs. These workers are not looking for

any handouts but are demanding what is legally due to them. We have been advised that

millions of dollars are owed to non-managerial workers, line staff and pensioners.

CFJ is calling for immediate intervention by Minister Shane Gibson in this grave injusticethat has been committed against these workers who have given many years of stellar ser-vice to City Market. We will be communicating with Minister Gibson, who we believe willcause this matter to be resolved. Why are labour laws not being enforced in this matter?After the supermarket chain was closed and sold, workers should have been paid sinceMarch 30, 2012. We hope that this is not a case of political interference.

The owners of City Market have been paid for the sale and CFJ would like to know why the

workers have not received their severance pay? How could the owners of City Marketsleep at night knowing what they have done to suffering mothers and fathers who can nolonger feed their families or pay their bills. We are not talking about peanuts. It is allegedthat $2.8 million is due to non-managerial workers, $1.5 million is owed to line staffersand $5.6 million is owed from the pension fund.

Submitted by Bishop Walter Hanchell, Citizens for Justice


7/16


The National Congress of Trade Union Ba-

hamas (NCTUB) is thankful for being in-vited to make a presentation to the Commit-

tee in their effort to consult with the Baha-mian people prior to making recommenda-

tions to amend the Constitution of the Com-

monwealth of the Bahamas. This presenta-

tion comes after extensive consultation andcollaboration with the elected officers of the

twenty-three (23) Affiliates of the NationalCongress of Trade Unions Bahamas, repre-

senting over forty thousand workers(40,000) in the Bahamas.

It is the collective view of the National Con-

gress of Trade Unions Bahamas, that the

Committee considers putting the followingmatters to the people of the Bahamas in

amending the Constitution.

The

Constitution should be amended to removeall forms of discrimination between Baha-

mian men and women including provisions/

The Following are the remarks made byMrs. Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson

President, NCTUBto the Bahamas Constitution Committee

Mrs. Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson

President, NCTUB


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stipulations associated with the rights of children and of spouses to work. In

reviewing The Bahamas Constitutional Review Commission PreliminaryReport & Provisional Recommendations 2006 Constitution Review Com-

mittee, the Congress fully supports the recommendations contained regarding

equal treatment but wish to highlight two main points namely:

The Constitution should provide that non-national spouses of Bahamian

citizens should be treated equally. Such persons upon marriage shouldhave a right to reside and work in the Bahamas and own property

jointly and upon application the right to become a Bahamian citizen 5years after marriage subject to such exceptions or qualifications as maybe prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.

The NCTUB recommends that the Constitutional provision which pro-

vides automatic Bahamian citizenship for children born outside The

Bahamas to married Bahamian men, should also be provided for chil-dren born outside The Bahamas to married Bahamian women

(regardless of the nationality of their spouse).

The NCTUB would like to see any forms of discrimination

based on sex or gender be eliminated in the Constitution. Gender equality should

be part of the foundation of our Constitution.

The NCTUB would like to see what is contained presently in the

Constitution that marriage should mean a union between a man and a womanremain.

The NCTUB is of the view that the present struc-

ture, tenure and established procedures of the Public Service are grossly inade-quate and do not meet the changing environment of the Public Service.

The NCTUB recommends that the Constitution be amended to create a, with commissioners who have the security of

tenure or fixed-term contracts and adequate staffing to meet the challenges ofaddressing public sector reform.

The right to join and associate with the trade union ofyour choice is enshrined in the Constitution; however, the Industrial RelationsAct 1970 mandates that independent trade unions must seek written authoriza-

tion of the Minister of Labour before they can become affiliated or associated


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with any internationally constituted or organized union or agency outside TheBahamas.

Additionally, the Industrial Relations Act 1970 mandates that independent trade

unions in the Bahamas can only organize within their specific craft. This provision

is not only in violation of the Constitution of the Bahamas but is also in breach ofILO Convention 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organ-

ize Convention.

The NCTUB recommends that the Constitution be amended to ensure that Parlia-ment is restricted from enacting any such legislation to prevent Freedom of Asso-

ciation.

The Constitution should be amended to

reflect that all Bahamians should have the right, if they so choose, to participatein any form of gaming within the Bahamas and any law that discriminatesagainst any Bahamian and restricts such rights should be voided.

The Constitution should be amended to change themanner and tenure of three or more mature representative Senators. These

three independent Senators should be appointed by the Prime Minister after

consultation with three social partners within the society, namely (i) the TradeUnion Movement, (ii) the Employers Association and (iii) the religious commu-

nity. Additionally, these three Senate appointments should not be revoked with-out the express permission of the respective social partners.

The NCTUB fully supports the recommenda-

tions made in the 2006 report.

The NCTUB, however, wishes to recommend the following:

The Prime Ministers powers should be limited and involve consultation withcivil society before the exercise of executive power.

There should be a truly independent electoral and boundaries commission to

supervise Bahamian elections in reference to boundaries, election donations,

election dates and unnumbered or identifiable ballots.

An Integrity Commission should be established to be a watchdog over the affairs

of political and senior civil servants.


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P A G E V O L U M E 1

The many appointments that the Prime Minister makes should be reformed andmaybe transferred to a Head of State versus a Governor General in consultation

with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.

Limited Term of Prime Minister It is the view of the NCTUB that the Consti-tution be amended to ensure that elected Prime Minister is restricted to twoconsecutive terms.

There should be some system of recall of

delinquent or otherwise Members of Parliament.

The Constitution should be amended to

establish a fixed date for General Elections every five (5) years. We understandthat this does not follow the Westminister tradition on which our elections were

based on.

The NCTUB would like to ask the Government to examinethe present local government system established on our Family Islands, thereby

enshrining local government in the Constitution and giving it more autonomy.

The NCTUB recommends that the retirement age of judges be

amended from 65 to 70. In most progressive countries there is no longer a re-tirement age at all for the citizens. We must be cognizant that with the many

technological advances in medicine, citizens will live longer. Therefore we should

consider not having a retirement age imposed upon the citizenry.

An amendment should be made to allow for more

public debate and consultation on the use of public funds, and the creation of the

annual budget.

The NCTUB agrees with the comments of the 2006 Commission

Report regarding citizenship. I wish to note the following points:

Children born to Bahamian parents (male and female) outside of the Bahamasare entitled to become citizens, and the matter of dual citizenship or nationalityshould be stated. Bahamian citizenship should not be denied because persons

possess another nationality.

In the case of non Bahamians acquiring Bahamian citizenship, should renuncia-tion of the other citizenship be required? Preferably, not. How is it that so manyBahamians hold dual citizenship? This is not a requirement in attaining


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American or Canadian citizenship. So, why does the Bahamas require renuncia-

tion of previous citizenship?

The NCTUB urges the government to make any necessary amendments to the

Constitution of The Bahamas to take control over immigration and national

security of The Bahamas.

In conclusion, the NCTUB feels that there should be greater participation of thecitizens of The Bahamas through civil society and the trade union movement, for

example, in the governance of our country. Governments must be held accountable

to the citizenry through being honest, transparent and forthcoming.

On behalf of the working people of our country!

Solidarity!

Mrs. Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson

President, NCTUB

11th January, 2013


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The Bahamas Financial Services Union (BFSU) held its Annual Gen-

eral Meeting (AGM) Saturday, 12th January, 2013. The theme wasBridging the Gap between Employer and Employee. The speaker wasMr. Antonio Stubbs of the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation.The following day the membership worshiped at Saint Barnabas Angli-can Church, Wulff and Baillou Hill Roads. The BFSU thanked all for

their continued support.


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The General Strike of 1958 was one of the most signifi-

cant events in Bahamian history. The battle which re-sulted in the General Strike began on November 1, 1957

because the Government granted white tour companies

the exclusive right to transport persons between the Nas-sau International Airport and the city. In protest, thePresident of the Taxi Union (Clifford Darling) ordered

his members to block the road to the airport.

On November 2, 1957 the Taxi Union called on the Baha-

mas Federation of Labour (BFL) for support. RandolFawkes, leader of the BFL instructed the Airport, Airlineand Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) headed by Cadwell

Armbrister, Clement Pinder and Anthony Roberts to go

on a sympathy strike, thereby closing down the airport.An eight-week truce was declared paving the way for nego-

tiations, meanwhile a number of members of the TaxiUnion were charged with assaulting police officers.Unfortunately, at the end of the truce the government

voiced its support for the white tour companies.Randol Fawkes and Lynden Pindling then sought anaudience with Sir Oswald R. Arthur (Governor) to ap-

point a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the

dispute, their request was denied. Consequently, onJanuary 10th, 1958 the Taxi Union requested the support

of the BFL resulting in a general strike. On January12th, 1958, Randol Fawkes and Lynden Pindling entered

the Emerald Beach Hotel on West Bay Street and

ordered all employees to go on strike. By January 13th,every hotel in the city was closed. By January 14th, theelectrical workers, the telephone workers, the construc-

tion workers the street sweepers, the garbage collectors,the airport workers, the messengers, and the clerks were

on strike. The strike ended on January 29, 1958 with thesigning of an agreement between the Taxicab union and

Clifford Darling, Taxi Union Leader

Cadwell Armbrister

Airline Workers Union Leader

Randol Fawkes, Leader

Bahamas Federation of Labour


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the Tour Companies. providing more equitable arrangements for transporting pas-

sengers between the airport and the city. Other clauses of the agreement included:

1. The establishment of a Labour Department2. The removal of statutory restrictions of hotels, motels and agriculture workers to

organize.

3. The setting up of a Bahamian Transport Authority.

During the strike the labour movement received assistance from many regional and

international unions paving the way for Mr. Fawkes to travel garnering support re-

sulting in a Royal Commission of Inquiry. On Sunday April 13, 1958 the report ofthe commission reported its findings that included:

1. Amending Labour Laws.

2. The abolition of the company vote.

3. The approval of one vote to every man over the age of 21.4. Increasing the seats in the House of Assemble from 29 to 33.

Information extracted fromThe History of Trade Unions in the Bahamas by Robert Farquharson

PhotographsThe Faith That Moved The Mountain

A Memoir of a Life and the TimesBy Sir Randol F. Fawkes

www.sirrandolfawkes.com

Women picket on Bay Street for the first

time in history

In the face of British Colonialism, Bahamian youth displayed

uncommon courage and intelligence. Not a Sweat.
http://www.sirrandolfawkes.com/http://www.sirrandolfawkes.com/http://www.sirrandolfawkes.com/


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ILO Turin Centrehttp://www.itcilo.org/en

International Trade Union Confederation

http://www.ituc-csi.org/rio-20.html

the ILO Workers' Relations Bureau

http://www.ilo.org/actrav/lang--en/index.htm

Decent Work Country Programme, The Bahamashttp://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/program/dwcp/download/bahamas.pdf

ILO Caribbean

http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Regionsandcountries/LatinAmericaandCaribbean/lang--en/index.htm

Trade Union History, Bahamaswww.nctu-bahamas.org

www.sirrandolfawkes.com
http://www.itcilo.org/enhttp://www.ituc-csi.org/rio-20.htmlhttp://www.ilo.org/actrav/lang--en/index.htmhttp://www.ilo.org/actrav/lang--en/index.htmhttp://www.ituc-csi.org/rio-20.htmlhttp://www.itcilo.org/en


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Dear Friends,

We are very happy to have completed another edition of the newsletter for

the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas and we would like to

thank each and every one of you who took the time to make a contribution.

The name of the newsletter is The Workers Voice which was a name that Sir

Randol Fawkes gave to the Bahamas Federation of Labor's newspaper in

1959. This current newsletter gives to you, the worker, a voicea means to

communicate with your fellow brothers and sisters in the union. Additionally,

through the Workers Voice, you now have the opportunity of profiling your

union and the work that you are doing.

It is our aim to introduce to you all of the affiliate unions attached to the

NCTUB. In each edition, we also will bring you content that is historical in

nature. History informs us of the struggles that our forbears underwent and

the debt of appreciation that we owe them for the sacrifices made. The news-

letter will also enable us to document the history that is being made today so

that future generations will be inspired by our efforts .

Finally would you like to be a part of this communications venture? Do you

have a story to tell, an opinion to share? Do you have English, photography,graphic arts design skills? If your answer is Yes! then we would appreciate

hearing from you.

With thanks,

Sheleta Collie

Chairman, NCTUB Public Relations Committee

National Congress of TradUnions of The BahamasCarter St. & Horseshoe DrivePh: (242) 356-7459Fax: (242) 356-7457E-mail: [email protected]: nctu-bahamas.org

workers' voice, january, 2013

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