The employee, Nugent Stuart, a production assistant at BCB’s northern service was terminated Friday, receiving a “pink slip” without any explanation.
Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union president, Robert Farquharson said he attempted to meet with BCB’s general manager, Anthony Foster but was told that Mr. Foster could not speak with him at that time.
The demonstrating employees stood outside the corporation’s Third Terrace East Centreville studios for hours Monday, vowing to remain in the parking lot until the dispute is resolved.
“We’ll stay out here as long as it takes. We’ll have lunch and dinner out here and sleep out here if necessary,” shouted one of them.
They refused to be interviewed by the press but instead sang a song of unity “Solidarity forever,” rocking side-to-side and waving their arms.
Security officers blocked the entrance to the parking lot to secure the grounds while the demonstration was going on. No cars were allowed access including media vehicles, which had to be parked along the street, away from the gate.
Mr. Earl Thompson, BCB’s deputy general manager of maintenance and planning soon asked the press to leave the premises but, wanting to get to the bottom of the story, all members of the press remained. Short of a confrontation, an Island 102.9 FM reporter demanded to speak to Mr. Foster and refused to accept “He has no statement to give” as the general manager’s final answer.
After much persistence, the press was then escorted inside the building, only to be greeted by more senior staff members who had gathered around the receptionist. Mr. Thompson then contacted Mr. Foster on the intercom in the presence of the press and said the general manager told him that he would not respond to the industrial unrest at this time but would do so later.
Details finally came on Monday evening when The Guardian contacted Mr. Farquharson. He said he was able to meet with Mr. Foster at the corporation under the auspices of the director of labour, Hartcourt Brown and intervention from the Minister of Tourism with responsibility for broadcasting, Obie Wilchcombe and labour minister, Vincent Peet.
“And as a result, the corporation reinstated Mr. Stuart with immediate effect,” he said, adding that Mr. Stuart would not receive a reduction in pay for the days missed.
The union president then noted that Mr. Stuart was recently charged in court for an offence but was found not guilty and therefore his right to work should have not been denied.
“We have an industrial agreement that states that if you are charged in a court case and you are not found guilty then no disciplinary action should be taken,” he said.
“The corporation felt that they had the right to terminate his services. We disagreed with them and after intervention by the respective ministers, the corporation agreed to reinstate him,” he added.
He said Mr. Foster was also preparing a statement to issue to the press. However, up to press time, The Guardian was unable to receive that statement.
All media were present and covered the demonstration except the government-owned corporation.
Mindell Small, The Nassau Guardian
