The move comes after the National Congress of Trade Unions leaders agreed to such action in a meeting last Thursday, and is the latest development in the protracted negotiations between City Markets and its union for a new industrial agreement.
Union President Elgin Douglas pointed out that despite agreement by both parties to the major terms and conditions of the contract, the document remains unsigned because City Markets refuses to agree to the deduction of union dues and credit union contributions from employees’ salaries.
According to Mr. Douglas, City Markets negotiators explained that the local supermarket would not agree to the automatic deductions because it is a company policy that deductions would not be made to employees’ salaries for payments to third parties.
“This company goes about saying they will not make the deductions because it may be too much money coming out of the workers’ salaries, but they are sending money to national insurance and they are doing other deductions for workers all of which they say they don’t do,” he said.
Still questioning why the company would not agree to the deductions for union contributions, Mr. Douglas speculated that the refusal is an attempt to prevent the employees from associating with the BCSSWWU.
“To go from 1970 when the father of this nation [assisted in passing] laws to make provision for a voluntary check off system and to go now into the 21st century and find that you have to go and collect dues by hand makes me wonder where are we going in this country,” Mr. Douglas said.
“That means to say that the company wants to bust the union,” he added.
Foreshadowing significant industrial unrest, the union president called for a speedy resolution to the stalled negotiations.
“It’s going to be serious in this country if we have to strike,” Mr. Douglas said. “The NCTU’s decision is to close down City Markets, so they will be shut down as long as they don’t want to come to a decision.”
A company spokesperson speaking with the Bahama Journal, however, questioned the employees’ decision to strike.
“The employees of City Markets already receive excellent pay and benefits, they just received a pay increase and it is the company’s intention to continue to negotiate in good faith with the union,” the spokesperson said.
She added that the workers’ decision to strike is “very disappointing” especially as the only obstacle to the conclusion of an agreement is not related to salary or any employee benefit.
“The company does not take money from employees paychecks for a third party and that includes payments for an automobile loan, tuition, vacation or any personal payment whatsoever,” the spokesperson said.
She continued, “If the union wants to collect union dues they will have to do it themselves and they have actually been invited into the stores to do so at a time convenient to them.”
The union leaders, however, reiterated that unless City Markets negotiators agree to a new industrial agreement, inclusive of provisions for the deduction of union contributions, they will proceed with the industrial action.
By Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
