The Bahamas Commercial Stores Supermarkets and Warehouse Workers Union is threatening to take legal action against the Super Value food store chain, in the latest twist to an ongoing industrial feud.
Union President Elgin Douglas issued the threat on Monday, days after Super Value President Rupert Roberts issued a blistering statement slamming claims made by the BCSSWU.
ﾓMr. Roberts needs to think this one out carefully,ﾒ Mr. Douglas said in a statement. He added that his union is prepared to take legal action ﾓbecause Mr. Roberts needs to realize he is not above the law.ﾒ
Mr. Douglas, who has been calling for a boycott of Super Value stores, also said he will continue to do so until the dispute is resolved.
ﾓWe will stop the boycott when Mr. Roberts puts an agreement in place for those poor workers who are afraid to speak out at this time because of the daily threats being sent out by the company,ﾒ he said.
ﾓI will give one advice to those workers, carry a tape recorder to record anyone who tries to threaten your job or intimidate you for there has been workers who were fired and received nothing after 25 years on the job.ﾒ
But Mr. Roberts continues to dismiss claims that he is victimizing workers or engaged in union-busting tactics.
He also said that the boycott is having no impact and questioned how a caring union could make such a call that could eventually impact the members it claims to have.
ﾓWhat Mr. Douglas is doing now is dividing the baby,ﾒ Mr. Roberts said. ﾓHe is inviting customers to leave his loyal dedicated union members in Super Value, and shop the competition. This could only lead Super Value to reduce staff and salaries which is counter productive to unions and to the Ministry of Labourﾴs philosophy.ﾒ
He said recently that he will not negotiate an industrial contract unless a secret poll is held that determines that that the majority of his staff wants to join a union.
Mr. Douglas, however, insists that this has already been determined.
ﾓThis union did everything under the Industrial Relations actﾅand received 50 plus one percent of the bargaining union,ﾒ he claimed.
ﾓMr. Roberts himself went to court to challenge the Ministerﾴs certificate. He then satisfied himself that the union had more than 50 plus one percent of the bargaining unit, so what Mr. Roberts did was sign a voluntary recognition besides having a ministerﾴs certificate.ﾒ
Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
