President of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educationa Convention Rev Dr. William Thompson in his annual address at the 45th annual Baptist Day Church Service on Tuesday night called on the Bahamas Union of Teachers [BUT] and the Bahamas Public Service Union [BPSU] leaders to exercise more patience and allow the government to live up to its agreement.
“Any strike or disruption of services at this time in our nation will bring further hardship not only to the few persons in Parliament but to the entire nation including union members,” Rev. Dr. Thompson said in response to reports of industrial action at the end of the month.
But he said the government should live up to any agreement that it makes, telling the congregation at the Annex Baptist Church that sitting governments should honour any contract signed by former administrations.
The outspoken Baptist leader has in the past used the platform to address various issues facing the Bahamas. He declared on Tuesday night that while he is an advocate for unions, union leaders should be more tolerant.
On Friday past the two unions meet with Rev. Timothy Stuart Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in an effort of bring peace to the dispute.
According to reports, there was a frank exchange of ideas and several proposals were advanced to resolve the issue but no agreement was reached.
On Wednesday, union leaders are expected to meet with Prime Minister Perry Christie on the issue.
In his address, Rev. Dr. Thompson also lobbied for the establishment of a national youth service, a programme for which he has been calling for the last eight years.
“Bahamians at all levels of society agree that the time is over due for us to harness the energy and potential of youth of this country, in an effort to promote and enhance the social and spiritual well being of our nation,” he said
By Yvette Rolle-Major, The Bahama Journal
