The Bahama Journal has confirmed from leading trade unionists and government officials that he is contemplating his resignation, as a dispute with the Bahamas Hotel Employers Association over a new industrial contract drags on.
But on Thursday, Mr. Bain denied this, saying only that as far as he is concerned, “the proof was in the pudding,” but he wished not to comment further.
Union General Secretary Leo Douglas, meanwhile, suggested that any remarks Mr. Bain made regarding his resignation might have been taken out of context.
“The president made it very clear to his membership that before he put his pen to paper for a 6 percent [salary] increase, he would rather resign,” Mr. Douglas told the Journal. ﾓAnd you can’t blame the man for that. It’s as simple as that.ﾔ
The union is demanding a 12 percent increase over a four-year period. But the contract being negotiated would be for five years.
“Twelve percent over four years, I don’t think that’s much,” Mr. Douglas said. “That’s only 3 percent every year. What can that do for the average pot washer or laundry washer?”
It is known that executives of the union and shop stewards have defied Mr. Bain and called into question many of the decisions that he made on behalf of the union.
But Mr. Douglas said this was probably another misunderstanding. He said because of his leadership style, Mr. Bain consults his members before confirming anything in negotiations.
The union and the association have been negotiating the contract for the past 15 months.
But talks became contentious in November when a group of Atlantis workers blocked the entrance to the Royal Towers, demanding that both sides reach conclusion on the agreement.
That eventually led to a strike vote being taken, and weeks of threats of unrest.
Mr. Bain had promised government officials that no industrial action would take place over Christmas and the New Year’s holiday period.
When shop stewards and union executives found out about this promise, they reportedly told Mr. Bain they will take action with or without him.
While the union has been roundly criticized for calling action during the late December visit of South African President Thabo Mbeki, Mr. Douglas said Thursday that the union did not set out to embarrass the government.
He said the Prime Minister was “talking nonsense” when he apologized to Mr. Mbeki for the ‘go-slow’ that was taking place at some hotels at the time.
When asked about reports that there were some operatives in the union who may be deliberately trying to drag the negotiations on, Mr. Douglas said he knew nothing of this.
But he did say, “As far as I am concerned this thing can go on for another five years.” He said that the union was not prepared to agree to anything that would not be in the best interest of its members.
Mr. Bain also said the union needs to push to negotiate separate industrial agreements with hotel properties.
The contract now being negotiated would affect about 6,000 workers at 11 hotel properties.
“I blame the lead property which is Kerzner [International’s Atlantis],” Mr. Douglas said. “Kerzner is hiding behind weaker properties.”
The Journal has also learnt that government officials mediating the negotiations are becoming increasingly concerned that the matter has been so politicised that the success of the talks are being threatened.
When asked to respond to concerns that party politics had infiltrated the negotiations, Mr. Douglas firmly denied such claims, dismissing the persons making them as mischief-makers.
The Journal, meanwhile, has learnt that Mr. Bain has been seeking support from leading trade unionists, like Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson, who refuse to get involved in the dispute.
Mr. Bain also relied on the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, which falls under his umbrella National Congress of Trade Unions, for support. The BEWU had threatened to take industrial action of its own shortly before Christmas.
Although Mr. Douglas and 1st Vice President Quebell Rolle vehemently denied this week that there was a split in the hotel union, the Journal has confirmed from reliable sources in and outside of the union, that there is a great rift in the organization.
But on Thursday, Mr. Douglas again dismissed these suggestions.
“I’ve always been behind Mr. Bain,” he told the Journal. “He is one who includes you in everything. He’s a good leader. Everyone has his own style of leadership, his is just different from [former union president Tom Bastian].”
But he declined to comment on which style of leadership he preferred.
Mr. Douglas also said he believes that the involvement of clergymen in the negotiations is unnecessary because “they can’t do anything for us, but pray and ask God to soften the hearts of the employers.”
The government appointed Bishop Neil Ellis conciliator with the agreement of both the union and the Hotel Employers Association. He met during the holidays with both sides, who agreed to present a document on their final position.
But when they were to return to a follow-up meeting, Mr. Bain reportedly informed that his members did not support that particular decision.
In fact, some members were outraged by Bishop Ellis’ involvement in the whole matter.
Other clergymen, like Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez and Christian Council President Bishop Sam Greene have also been involved in the talks.
The involvement of local clergymen was also sought Wednesday night as the government pushed to bring the matter to a head. But with the situation threatening to get explosive, Prime Minister Christie was forced back into late night meetings.
In his interview with the Journal, Mr. Douglas pointed to the seriousness of reaching conclusion on the matter, noting that not even the prime minister has been able to help.
The Bahama Journal
