At least one union leader thinks Justice Bernard Turner will lift the injunction prohibiting unlawful industrial action by the unions protesting the sale of BTC.
At least one union leader thinks Justice Bernard Turner will lift the injunction prohibiting unlawful industrial action by the unions protesting the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC).
Robert Farquharson, Secretary General of the Nation Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB), believes that the unions will emerge victorious in the fight.
“I believe the injunction will be lifted,” Mr. Farquharson told a local newspaper.
“I believe that based on the information that I have received, the grounds to keep the injunction in place is extremely weak. I also believe once the justice has an opportunity to review the evidence that was placed before him by the attorneys, the injunction will be lifted.
“But I must say that the injunction itself does not restrict BTC employees from taking any industrial action. The injunction restricts them from taking any unlawful action. However, none of the action thus far has been unlawful. That is the argument being placed before the judge.”
Farquharson said the unions can stage additional actions but they must be within the confines of the law.
“Once we act within the confines of the respective industrial agreements and the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, we believe that regardless of this injunction being in place, employees have the legal authority to act,” he said.
“No one can force the employees to work as long as they operate within the terms of their industrial agreement and within the terms of the law.”
Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner has stated that if he does not make his decision by December 23, the unions will have to wait until the New Year.
