The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

JOHN Pinder, Bahamas Public Services Union President, yesterday called for the resignation of South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton on grounds that her executive roles in two unions and a governmental post creates a conflict of interest.

Ms Hamilton, now Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, is also the president of the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) and vice president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It is for this reason, Mr Pinder said, union members have been dealt a great injustice. He said the government is at an advantage as Ms Hamilton has no choice but to agree and act on the mandates and vision of Prime Minister Perry Christie’s administration. He said the MP should step down from both unions.

“I believe,” said Mr Pinder, “she should have stepped down before she was even elected to office. It is very difficult for a politician to not carry out the mandate of the party and its leader and act on the best interest of union members. Where does that leave both the TUC and BNU? At this point, the mature thing would be for her to resign.

“Some members will have different affiliations. Some will be FNM, PLP, DNA, or independent. I am led to believe that Ms Hamilton will not work in the best interest of members. She is working for the PLP and will see to it that the government has its way.”

Members, Mr Pinder said, should not know the political persuasion of their leaders.

“People who lead unions should be as unbiased as they possibly can. I have never blatantly disclosed which party I support and I never will. If I had plans to run for office, I would step down and let my members know that I have now decided to pursue a political career.”

A possible compromise came to light recently when a caller to a local talk show revealed that Ms Hamilton was still actively involved in the leadership of both unions. She later phoned the show confirming the revelation. According to Ms Hamilton no conflict existed but, instead there was an advantage to members in having a union head in close connection to the government.

The FNM not long after issued a statement criticising the Prime Minister for failing to monitor those who serve under his leadership.

The press release said: “Cleola Hamilton’s actions are evident of the failure of Prime Minister Perry Christie to monitor and enforce standards of conduct governing his Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers.

“With issues such as this arising within the PLP after a little more than four months in office, the FNM is thoroughly committing itself to serving as a watchdog to ensure that integrity and trust in government—as we’ve fought so hard to restore since our victory in 2007—remains an unbreakable standard.”

The FNM also called for Ms Hamilton’s resignation as Parliamentary Secretary.