The 1,000-strong members of the Bahamas Electricity Workers Union are reportedly gearing up for industrial action if BEC training officer and Bahamas Electrical Utilities Managerial Union president Timothy Moore is not reinstated.
Mr. Moore was terminated last month, for what BEC management described as “uncooperative and disruptive behaviour”.
The letter was signed by BEC General manager Bradley Roberts.
Mr. Moore denied the charges, stating that his termination was a part of BEC’s effort to silence employees through “union-busting.”
Subsequently, however, BEC announced that the matter would be reviewed, and Mr. Moore suspended with full pay.
A later press statement by Mr. Moore, however, lead to a BEC charge that he had breached the terms of the review.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, BEC GM Mr. Roberts refused to reveal any details on the status of the review.
As a war of words continued between BEC and union members, the Ministry of Labour stepped in to reconcile the disputing parties.
The NTUC is now insisting however that the dispute, as well as several other issues, be resolved by Aug. 15.
“The powers that be need to step in and cause them to abide by the law and allow union officers to function in their capacity as union officers and not be adversely effected either by an individual or the employment, according to Article 45 in the Industrial Relations Act,” Mr. Moore said.
Pat Bain, NTUC president, is expected to issue a further statement when he returns from Barbados next week.
Source: The Nassau Guardian
