Throngs forced their way into BEC headquarters on Blue Hill road in yet another demonstration; this time to express their support of union president, Dennis Williams.
Tempers flared after security personnel told BEWU members that they could not enter the building, where union president and executives butted heads with BEC management in a second floor executive office. However, after being shut out and calmed down, members assembled on the premises, fearing their president would be fired. Their concern followed an exchange of statements released by Mr Williams and BEC’s executive management earlier this week.
The demonstration Friday morning, brought operations at the corporation to a standstill, as workers in the billings, credit and collections, customer service, meter reading, purchasing, internal audit, accounts, human resources and Family Islands section stopped work to participate in the demonstration. However, employees of the distribution and construction departments, which represent some 300 union members, allowed customers to enter the premises to pay their bills.
The Clifton Pier and Blue Hills power stations, which represent some 150 workers, were also reported to be on work-to-rule. These union members, however, claimed that their grievances were with BEC’s executive management and not the government, therefore they would not do anything to inconvenience the public in their quest for justice; but remained defiant in their support of BEWU president Williams.
When the Guardian arrived on the scene, a calm but obviously upset Mr Williams explained that after making a statement Wednesday about contract negotiations, he received a letter from management Thursday requesting him to appear at BEC with union representation. He explained that the letter was a notification of potential disciplinary action.
“We really had to nip it in the bud, because we could not afford for anyone, especially any officer of this union, to be intimidated or victimized by anyone in the government or BEC,” he said.
“The fundamental question is… was I acting in capacity of the union president or as an employee of BEC? The workers in BEC are frustrated over the union-busting tactics of BEC’s management before negotiations and during negotiations. The situation has mushroomed to a point where it became “do or die” today.
Mr Williams claimed that the letter he received was an alleged case of “victimization” on behalf of management and members would not tolerate such behavior.
“No general manager-designate, no chairman or assistant general manager will be able to victimise me for affiliation with the union and representation of the same,” he said. “This is a true day to show The Bahamas that workers are tired of the right-wing, tyrannical leaders in these corporations and they need to go. The workers will sacrifice to the end until they are removed.”
Mr Williams listed the following as contentious issues:
*Salary anomalies as it relates to the majority of the corporation’s line staff and technical staff
*Salary increases (which relates to the possible variation of the BEC’s pension plan)
*Family Island geographical allowances
*The improvement of the pension plan
He pointed out that since negotiations began, the union was never able to solve any key issues of the contract, because the corporation’s former chief negotiator, Kevin Basden was not negotiating in “good faith.”
“Every time when we almost reached to a situation where we solved the problem, he would come back with some other news,” Mr. Williams claimed.
A number of trade union affiliates were also present Friday to show their support for the union. They included: President of the National Congress of Trade Union, Pat Bain; vice president of the Taxi Cab Union, Cheryl Ferguson and president of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union, Robert Farquharson.
Commenting on the fiery negotiations on-going at BEC, Mr Bain said Friday’s demonstration was only a “testimony” to let employers know that labour is now “awake” in the country and unions will not be “taken for granted anymore.”
“We are demanding our position at the table of negotiations and at the table of decision making process. No longer can they expect to treat union presidents or any other union official with contempt.”
Union members chanted that they would not return to work until hearing from Labour Minister Vincent Peet who did arrive until 12: 30 p.m. After shaking the hands of various union members, Mr Peet was whisked upstairs to the executive offices of BEC where he met for some four hours with management executives and members of the union.
Emerging around 5 p.m., Mr Peet described the situation as very “serious,” promising that government would certainly have to examine the issues. He explained that during the meeting, he got a very clear indication of the concerns of both unions and would communicate these to his cabinet colleagues in an effort to find a “common ground” and calm a very “volatile” situation.
“The Minister of Labour has to hear all sides from the union and management. We then do what we deem is best for The Bahamas. This is not a question of taking sides, but hearing what the facts are, seeing where we are and having the government review the situation,” Mr Peet said.
He told both unions that all discussions would be carried out “around the table” in an “orderly” manner, adding that issues would be handed over to Minister of Works (Bradley Roberts) this weekend.
Mr Williams told his members that after the “intense” meeting with the Mr Peet, management and union affiliates, a fundamental position was offered, which called for the removal of BEC’s Chairman (Alfred Jarrett) and general manager-designate (Kevin Basden). He said the union would also meet with the minister responsible for BEC, Bradley Roberts, and the Minister of Labour again today and on Sunday, after stating their position in writing.
“So we will be meeting all night and we would ask for you to stand by and assemble here on Monday morning and stay on high alert, because if this issue is not solved, we will have to continue to agitate to have it solved,” Mr Williams requested.
Mr Timothy Moore, President of BEC’s Managers Union, said that both unions are working together from this point on, as the “straw has broken the camel’s back” and it’s time to respond.
“We have responded and we are expecting some positive response from the government before Monday morning and we will be assembled back here Monday morning to meet with you. We will be here as early as 7:30 a.m. and both unions will be back here to resolve this matter so that we can let you know the resolution and any agreement we have arrived at,” Mr Moore said.
In a press release issued to the Guardian Wednesday, the board of directors and management took exception to statements condemning it as “distasteful, inflammatory and completely unwarranted.”
Said BEC: “It is important for the president of BEWU to note that Mr Basden has a duty to always behave in a reasonable and prudent manner and also has a fiduciary responsibility to conduct, operate and manage the affairs of the corporation on sound business principles and is accountable to BEC board of directors, the government and the people of this country.
Mr Williams must also realize that he is first an employee of the corporation and is not above its rules and regulations and must be seen to be complying with the code of conduct established by the corporation,” the statement said.
In his statement Tuesday, BEWU president Dennis Williams accused Mr Basden of representing the “hard-line right-winged faction” of BEC’s management team.
“If the mentality of BEC, which is an unwillingness to sit down with the union and solve the fundamental issues of the industrial agreement, does not change, we see a very protracted negotiation session,” he said.
“We would hope that the government of The Bahamas would train and equip leaders of major corporations with interpersonal skills before appointments,” Mr. Williams added.
By Tamara Mckenzie, The Nassau Guardian
