“From the [union’s] perspective, we embrace the idea of cooperation and the building of social partnership, but we become agitated when we see the leadership of the government attempting to speak down to trade unions in a dictatorial fashion and even threatening to sever laws of the country that speak to the civil liberties of a people and their right to union representation,” he said.
Acknowledging the long process that finally led to the signing of the new agreement Mr. Bain appealed to the prime minister to intervene in the healing process that must now follow.
“We in the trade union movement believe that the time has come for the prime minister to make good on his commitment to meet with all social partners of labour in The Bahamas, especially employers, unions and the government to encourage and renew a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and partnership,” Mr. Bain said.
Speaking at the long-awaited signing ceremony at Workers House on Harrold Road, he also alluded to a shaken relationship between his union and the government.
While saying that many challenges lie ahead, union executives and officials of the Hotel Employers Association expressed optimism that with time, diligence, honesty and dedication the parties will move forward amicably in building a foundation for a more competitive and profitable tourism product.
The apparent renewed spirit of cooperation came during the signing of the $17 million industrial agreement for nearly 6,000 line staff employees of 11 hotel properties on New Providence and Paradise Island.
The parties were finally able to seal the agreement after 16 grueling months of intense negotiations that reportedly tested the will and temperament of both sides.
Speaking to a packed room of union officials, hotel executives, media representatives and others, Association President J. Barrie Farrington indicated that while at times negotiations were acrimonious, the agreement represents a step in the right direction.
“Under the revised terms, the employees are being provided with a fair and reasonable financial package, which we believe not only takes into consideration current industry conditions, but those which generally exist in the country as a whole,” he said.
The agreement makes provisions for an 8 1/2 percent increase per worker over five years plus two lump sum payments – one in the second year of the deal, the other in the fourth year.
The union had asked for a 12 percent salary increase over four years, but the association initially offered 6 1/2 percent, creating tension between the two sides.
After much pressure, the union finally accepted the 8 1/2 percent increase.
Mr. Farrington said the parties must now cast behind those events that have separated them over the past months and make every effort to develop a new formula, and use their resources to fight off increasing competition.
“We have to make sure that the experience of every visitor to our country has an experience that is memorable for all the right reasons,” he said.
Tensions that existed during the negotiations led to a go-slow at several properties late last year.
The action occurred during the state visit of South African President Thabo Mbeki, and prompted Prime Minister Perry Christie to extend a public apology to the visiting head of state.
Mr. Farrington said: “It’s going to take some time for us to feel like we can communicate with each other on the basis that we should be doing so in order to feel absolute trust, to believe that we share common objectives and that we can create the will to take tourism to the pinnacle of success…building a brighter future for our hotels, our employees and our country.”
Flanked by other hotel executives and shop stewards, Mr. Bain extended a pen to Mr. Farrignton as a token of goodwill.
Mr. Bain said the recent negotiations have revealed “some compelling truths for all parties that must be urgently addressed if they are to be progressive and productive.”
The negotiations, he said, show just how far apart the parties are with respect to what is in the best interest of employees.
Mr. Bain, however, pledged his union’s cooperation in building a better social partnership.
“Our focus now is to move diligently on a forward path for the future growth and development of our country, a country we are committed to building, not wrecking,” he said, “a country of fair play and equality for the workers, not a country of special privileges for only big investors who could hold an entire nation hostage if they don’t have their way, but who authorities as well as others, pretend not to see who, for the most part, escape the scrutiny of the press.”
Labour Minister Vincent Peet, who mediated the negotiations over the past two months, said while there were some very strong emotions during the talks, the negotiations have not been “all bad.”
“There are individuals who are still very emotive and there are some who will take a while to calm down, but you are all for the most part seasoned negotiators,” he said.
“And as negotiators you are aware that there will be some difficult times. But the hallmark of negotiators is the give and take, the compromise. No side gets everything they want. So while there is bound to be some emotions, some reactions and even some hostility, once we get to the point where we have signed and executed this agreement, we have to now find the formula to move forward because this has to be a learning experience, the type of exercise we must
By Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
