The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net UNION officials suspect a meeting with Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, scheduled for next week, is nothing but a "publicity stunt" with the general election looming. Sloane Smith, vice-president of the Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU), said he hopes Mr Foulkes is not disrespecting the union by using their issues to gain political points. "It's almost as if the minister is acting like the issue has just come up," said Mr Smith. "This is a matter two years in the making. We have been making noise formally as a union from 2010, and before that behind the scenes for months. Now all of a sudden he desperately wants to help us and rectify the situation. We know elections are right around the corner. So his efforts now do not give the impression of sincerity. "We only hope the ministry does not disrespect us by sending persons who cannot help us to our next meeting. This better not be a publicity stunt. In fact, once we sit at the table, we are hoping the government just says 'we have completed what you asked so let's move on'. If this is what's going to happen then there is no need to negotiate. As a matter of fact there is no need to negotiate. You can't negotiate something you already agreed to." Mr Smith's comments came after Mr Foulkes announced yesterday that he certified a strike vote for the BCIAWU. He said: "I met with the unions on Wednesday for three hours. We have agreed to meet again on February 7 to continue our discussion. There were several matters raised in the meeting so we are giving the various partners involved additional time to consider. "Even though the strike vote has been certified, I am hopeful that the leadership in customs and immigration will allow the process to work and will not engage in any industrial action. We are hopeful we will get their matters resolved." While Mr Smith remained tight-lipped on whether or not the union is prepared to strike, he said he hopes it doesn't have to come to that. "Once persons come to the table to resolve these issues seriously and fairly there is no need for further action on our behalf. However, I want to caution the minister that our members are not pleased. It's been two years. They are tired," he said. "While we will be patient and we are encouraging our members to be patient, we do not want to be disrespected. If they feel it, they will meet the government with the type of resistance that meets that level of disrespect. We are hoping this will not be the case. We are hoping there is some real intent to resolve the issues, a sincere attempt not just because it is political season." Mr Foulkes also certified a strike vote for the union at First Caribbean Bank.