“It is expected that a comprehensive investigation will take place,” said Minister Roberts, speaking from BEC’s boardroom on Tucker Road in a live television appearance. “This kind of senseless and wanton destruction of public property ought never happen again.”
At approximately 8:20 Tuesday morning, the generators at the Blue Hills and Clifton Pier Power stations came to a grinding halt causing a total blackout in New Providence and Paradise Island, he said.
“Amidst the current climate of illegal work stoppage by some of the employees of the corporation, the question from press reporters was what caused the generators to go down,” he said. “As Minister with the responsibility for BEC, I am saddened to report tonight that there has been what certainly appears to be sabotage on BEC’s high tension power lines.”
Four of the poles which carry the high tension lines were cut down with what appears to have been a chain saw, the Minister reported.
“This triggered a reaction and caused both power plants to go down,” he said. “The location of the damaged poles is just east of South Ocean Road. This criminal conduct threatens the rule of law and the wider community.
“The life and health of the sick, senior citizens, babies, or others in hospitals or at home were imperiled by this criminal act. The persons who perpetrated this criminal act are individuals who have no concern for the working public who must have electricity in the workplace and who are aided by the traffic signals on the streets while travelling to an from work.”
Earlier in the day, President of The Bahamas Electricity Workers Union Dennis Williams told reporters he has directed all members of his union to return to work immediately, after a three-day sick-out, but he insists, “the war has not ended.”
Mr. Williams, surrounded by a few members of the BEWU and the leadership of the umbrella organization, The National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU), confirmed that the BEWU’s mode of operation has now changed.
“I told the press before that this campaign will take different forms, in different places,” he said. “We have decided to stop the withdrawal of our labour, but the war is not ended. If the government feels a piece of paper will stop our campaign, they are in for a rude shock because the workers of BEC will stick behind this union to remove all injustices and we will start this tomorrow,” Mr. Williams said.
He added, “The old people always say, ‘there is more than one way to skin a cat’.”
The industrial action began on Friday after Mr. Williams claimed that management was preparing to discipline him for comments he made in the media regarding negotiations for a new contract. However, BEC’s board denies the allegation.
Meanwhile, NCTU General Secretary Robert Farquharson said executives of both unions believe that it is in the best interest of their members that relations be restored to normalcy.
This is in stark contrast to earlier threats of the union “shutting the country down”, demanding the resignation of BEC Chairman Al Jarrett. The union claims that Mr. Jarrett is not negotiating in good faith.
The contract between BEC and the union expired in July, 2003.
Additionally, the unions are vehemently denying any act of sabotage of the corporation’s equipment after the island-wide power outage Tuesday morning.
Mr. Farquharson said that members of both unions have participated in a peaceful protest.
President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Managerial Union (BEWMU) Timothy Moore added that their unions are responsible.
“We felt we’ve made our point,” Mr. Moore said. “We have the assurance that the government understands our concerns and we will be getting persons in power who are responsible and who will respect the law, honour our agreement and go from there.”
Minister Roberts earlier on Tuesday apologized to the Bahamian people for any inconvenience caused, adding that there were also power outages throughout the Family Islands.
Meanwhile, the BEWU’s demonstration scheduled for Parliament Square on Wednesday has been cancelled.
Executives say they want to resolve all outstanding issues at the corporation. The union is seeking higher salaries for its members and better pension benefits.
The union is also demanding the reinstatement of Mr. Moore who was terminated last July as BEC’s Training Officer.
That decision has been rescinded and Mr. Moore is now on leave with full pay.
“We’re looking forward to an amicable resolution to each of the issues,” Mr. Moore said. “We have decided to put our members back to work and that is with immediate effect and shortly thereafter we will enter into negotiations with the view of resolving all issues.”
Hadassah Hall, The Bahama Journal
