The vote could be taken in New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros, Bimini Great Harbour Cay, Long Island, San Salvador and Cat Island. The strike poll is related to the trade dispute filed at the Department of Labour in October.
The strike threat comes as the Government intervenes in negotiations between the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union and the Bahamas Hotel Employers Association, in an attempt to avert a strike which could deliver a crippling blow to the tourism industry in the country.
In an official statement released to The Nassau Guardian, Union Secretary General Patricia Johnson said following negotiations over the past few weeks it is evident that the management of BEC was not negotiating in good faith.
She said the union has no choice but to resort to possible strike action after giving BEC’s management ample opportunity to resolve their differences at the negotiating table over the past seven months.
“In the past few weeks, the union sat feverishly at the negotiation table but it was clearly evident that the management of BEC did not want to negotiate in good faith. The union clearly demonstrated that it was possible to find middle ground between both parties, but the management of BEC in its hard line tactics held an unacceptable position and because of their unwillingness to negotiatiate in good faith the union had no other alternative but to take a strike vote,” Ms. Johnson said.
The Union is admonishing BEC’s management to resolve this matter immediately before the public is inconvenienced during this festive yuletide season.
In an interview with the Guardian, BEC’s Board Chairman Al Jarrett expressed grave dissatisfaction over the stance taken by the union.
“I was disappointed to hear that the union decided to make a statement to the media to alarm the public and the hardworking people of BEC when we have had very good negotiations going. BEC has made the biggest offer in its history in terms of a contract. BEC’s staff are the best paid in the country and when it comes to pension, which they are not paying for, I am very disappointed to hear that they are still trying to create mischief and an inflammatory environment,” Mr. Jarrett said.
He informed the Guardian that BEC has made three “very good” offers to the union, which they have refused.
Questioned whether he thought there would be a black Christmas, Mr. Jarrett said “it would be irresponsible, reckless and abusive,” on the part of the union.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
