The Tribune

By DANA SMITH dsmith@tribunemedia.net TIME is running out for negotiations between the government and the Bahamas Public Service Union, according to union president John Pinder. Mr Pinder said yesterday that the BPSU is still waiting for Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to renegotiate its industrial agreement ahead of this year's general election. The agreement expired in June 2010 and the union has been working under a "verbal promise" from Mr Ingraham that a new one is coming, but the union is looking for a written contract. "Time is running out now, we're trying to get them to give us something prior to the election," Mr Pinder said. "If a new government comes into play, there's still a waiting process. "The prime minister has verbally promised us some things but again the system is such that you cannot hold another government on a verbal agreement from the prior government, if the government should change. We want it in writing and signed off." Following earlier threats of industrial action if this demand is not met, Mr Pinder said the union has a meeting with Mr Ingraham next Monday to continue discussions. He said he will "wait to see" what Mr Ingraham will say before considering any protests - which would only occur if "the majority of the membership" agrees. However, the union wants to "proceed in an aggressive manner to get something ironed out quickly," he said. Among the issues Mr Pinder wants to address with Mr Ingraham is health insurance for both "high risk" and "low risk" jobs. He also wants to talk about salary increases. Last Tuesday, Mr Pinder accused the government of "cherry-picking" who they take care of in the public service. "We heard through the press that the nurses got a $700 lump sum payment as well as $700 added to their salaries and health insurance. What about the police officers, the prison officers, the driving instructors and all of the other government agents? All we want is for it to be fair across the board - no cherry-picking," he said.