The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WATER and Sewerage workers remain engaged in a bitter dispute with the corporation, but their union insists the interruption in water services to western New Providence yesterday was not its doing.

Dwayne Woods, president of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union, said his members have no intention of harming valued customers - despite the accusations of "foul play".

He said: "Right now, our greatest weapon is to withdraw enthusiasm.

"At this time, we will not do that criminal act (disconnect water service).

"However, everyone should know that we will intensify our acts if the matters at hand are not rectified."

Mr Woods added that the union is appealing to the public to bear with Water and Sewage workers as they continue to struggle for the resolution of long-standing issues.

Several homeowners called The Tribune, mainly from Skyline Lakes and the Millennium Gardens Subdivision, to complain that their water was disconnected by angry union members. All said they have paid their water bills in full.

One woman, who did not want to be identified, said the water in her home had been "practically dripping from the faucets" since 5am.

Another resident said her water pressure was extremely low.

A man added that his family of five were forced to bathe with bottled water.

Attempts to reach Robert Deal, Water and Sewage manager responsible for New Providence connections, were not successful.

On Monday, National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas (NCTUB) president Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson said strike action had become an option for the BUSAWU, after it had explored every other possible route to a resolution.

BUSAWU is an affiliate of the NCTUB.

A few months ago, NCTUB officials complained when a group of temporary Water and Sewage employees were forced to take a proficiency test.

Despite the majority of the workers passing the test, the corporation has yet to regularise them, Mrs Isaacs-Dotson said.

She claimed the corporation told the workers that before they can be made permanent, the terms and conditions of their employment must change - meaning their pensions and benefits would not be equal to those of other staff.