An apparent rift between the country’s two umbrella trade unions deepened after Labour Minister Vincent Peet announced on Thursday night that the Government of The Bahamas has decided to recognize the National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) as the official umbrella union organization in The Bahamas.
The Minister made the announcement ahead of the annual International Labour Organization conference in Geneva, Switzerland, which he is attending this week, along with representatives of the NCTU and other labour officials.
It was obvious on Labour Day that Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson was not happy about the Ministerﾴs announcement.
In a continued spat with the Minister, Mr. Ferguson openly criticized Mr. Peet for his announcement.
“You want the unions to be united. How can the unions be united when you, the Minister of Labour, are doing those things to keep [NCTU President] Pat Bain and Obie Ferguson apart?” Mr. Ferguson asked during a rally at Windsor Park following the Labour Day parade on Friday.
“That can not be right and the Minister needs to be told that.”
During the annual Labour Day address to the nation, Minister Peet said the government made the decision after taking into consideration the fact that the NCTU had almost 18,000 members, while the TUC had just under 4,000.
The figures were reportedly the latest coming from the office of the Registrar of Trade Unions.
In bringing his remarks at the rally, NCTU representative and President of The Bahamas Public Services Union, John Pinder, endorsed the governmentﾴs decision.
“I realize that the Minister of Labour has made a decision as it relates to the recognized [umbrella trade organization] for the workers of this country; and Minister Peet, I want to thank you for making, in my opinion, the right decision,” he said.
“Certainly, the National Congress of Trade Unions represents the majority of workers in this country. As a matter of fact, one union under the umbrella probably represents more than the whole entire other.”
The BPSU President said the leaders of the NCTU and the TUC must still work together for the good of the countryﾴs 167,000 workforce.
“The important thing is that we as workers of this country need to be together, and so certainly it is imperative upon us as leaders to demonstrate that unity,” Mr. Pinder said.
However, Mr. Ferguson believes that Minister Peet should have consulted with both major trade unions before making his televised, national address.
“I represent workers every single day. They are losing their homes. They have to call their kids back from school. The economic position has changed. So I say to the Minister, Minister you told me sometime ago and you told the country youﾴre for unity. You say this government supports unity,” Mr. Ferguson said.
“You said just recently that this government is for the people. Well, Minister if there are two apex bodiesﾅthe Government of The Bahamas ought to consult the various bodies, meet with the various bodies and tell the various bodies [why] it is necessary to do a particular thing,” Mr. Ferguson said.
“But the minister cannot go on television and try to embarrass one group, make his announcement with a view to deterring or discouraging a group of people.”
Mr. Ferguson said the countryﾴs workers need to understand the difference between “news and noise.”
“Itﾴs very, very important that you understand that. So as we fight, no matter what politician [makes] promises and tries to create division among us, let me assure you that if tomorrow Pat Bain asked me to come with him I will be there. There is no question about that,” he said.
“I want the Minister to understand he can make the announcement, whatever announcement he wants to make. The only reason why heﾴs Minister is because the working people put him there. If the working people put him there I know the working people can move him.”
Tosheena Robinson-Blair, The Bahama Journal
