The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) yesterday received backing from a second trade union over its opposition to Cable Bahamas receiving this nation’s second mobile licence.

Paul Maynard, president of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU), which represents BEC’s line staff, argued that the BISX-listed communications provider had failed to live up to its obligations - although he did not specify which ones.

He told Tribune Business he was giving “100 per cent” backing to Bernard Evans, the BCPOU’s president, who earlier this week said it was a “shame” and a “travesty” that Cable Bahamas was “even invited” to bid for the license, given its alleged poor track record in being “good and fair to their employees”.

    “I’m with Bernard Evans 100 per cent. Cable Bahamas should never even be invited to the table until they finished what they were supposed to do,” Mr Maynard said.

“They are joking. You’re going to tell me after 20 years you can’t find a Bahamian chief executive. All the unions have a problem with them. I can’t speak for the TUC, but at the National Congress of Trade Union, we all have a problem with that situation with Cable Bahamas. They have yet to meet with the union there. The employees have not had a contract in forever; it’s ridiculous.”

Mr Evans and the BCPOU’s interest in making trouble for Cable Bahamas, which was named as the preferred bidder for the second licence, is obvious.

The union is eager to attract and gain new members, especially since its membership is declining as a result of the continual downsizing exercises at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).

And Cable Bahamas, despite much criticism, public pressure and cajoling, is declining to meet with the BCPOU and enter into any discussions that could bring in the union and lead to an industrial agreement.

Cable Bahamas last month emerged as the successful bidder for the Bahamas’ second mobile licence. The Government added that it anticipates awarding the new license by the end of this year, but said the company must now fulfill certain pre-conditions first.

However, Mr Maynard’s comments, together with social media postings of purported letters critical of Cable Bahamas’ management, indicates there is possibly a concerted effort underway to damage - and even prevent - its bid to consummate its mobile licence win.

“Some islands still don’t even have basic cable. The agreement was that once they have 20 homes or more they are supposed to put the full package there,” Mr Maynard said of Cable Bahamas.

“It’s not something I’m asking them to do out of the goodness of their heart; it’s their obligation. You have to honour your agreement.

“If they haven’t done in 20 years what they would do with cable TV services, what makes you think that Acklins, Crooked Island or Long Island is going to be able to have cellular services? Are they going to get half the package too?”

    Cable Bahamas, in a statement initially responding to Mr Evans’ assertions, said: “As the successful applicant in the recently completed phase two of the mobile process, Cable Bahamas is working diligently towards the issuance of the second mobile license.

“We are laser focused on ensuring that in 2016 the country will have a much needed second mobile provider in NewCo, with an additional 150 to 200 new jobs being created in the telecommunications sector. “