The United We Stand Committee that is backing former Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) President Thomas Bastian in his bid to regain control of the union is calling for a special commission to investigate serious allegations of financial misappropriations, among other abuses, against the present administration.
Mr. Bastian, at a press conference in Grand Bahama yesterday, charged that the BHCAWU leadership is in defiance of the union’s Constitution and is refusing to comply with it.
He insisted the matters in question must be dealt with before the May election to allow the membership to make an informed choice.
“To put the members to a disadvantage in voting, you may end up with a bad set of results ﾖ either a destroyed union or the same set of officers,” he said.
The ex-union chief says among the controversial issues to be investigated are the alleged borrowing of $5 million, the sale of the Workers Bank, land purchase for $200,000, the purchase of a generator for $185,000 and roof repairs to the Worker’s House buildings in Grand Bahama amounting to $300,000.
“These allegations should be investigated by a special kind of commission that should be set up internally, where the truth should come out to the benefit of the members,” he insisted.
Mr. Bastain and the United We Stand group are also suggesting that the minister or director of labour appoint three professionals ﾖ an attorney, an accountant and business person ﾖ as committee members of this special commission to examine all the evidence linked to the allegations.
He said they are also suggesting the findings be reported to the members and the general public before the tri-ennial meeting.
According to Mr. Bastian, the members have a petition of 649 signatures requesting a special general meeting to investigate the allegations.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior FN Reporter
