The Tribune

TO protect the integrity and stability of the labour movement in the Bahamas, former Labour Minister Dion Foulkes called on Cleola Hamilton to either resign from her position as a Junior Cabinet Minister or her position as President of the Nurses Union and Vice-President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Calling this move “imperative”, Mr Foulkes said that trade unionism in the Bahamas is based on the principle of clear and “unambiguous independence between union leaders and employers.”

“It is impossible to serve the PLP and be a loyal Junior Cabinet Minister, for which Ms Hamilton took an oath, and also be faithful and loyal to the interest of nurses and the TUC.

“There will be many occasions when the interest of the PLP and the Government will conflict with that of the TUC as was evidenced recently when Minister Shane Gibson threatened and berated the Immigration and Customs officers and their union leadership,” he said.

Mr Foulkes said it is a well established fact that in the Bahamas and internationally, industrial stability and harmony best occurs when the tripartite system is in full force and respected by all.

“In 1999, the FNM Government introduced Tripartite Forum (TRIFOR) comprised of trade unions, employers representatives and the government. I was Minister of Labour at the time. We again reintroduced TRIFOR in 2007 and to my knowledge it is still the policy of the Government. Ms Cleola Hamilton’s irreconcilable and conflicting official political positions and her Trade Union position contravenes the basic foundational principles of tripartism. I fully support the position taken by our Leader, Dr Hubert Minnis and the position taken by Mr John Pinder in demanding that Ms Hamilton resigns immediately,” he said.

On Tuesday, John Pinder, Bahamas Public Services Union President, also lent his voice to the chorus calling for Ms Hamilton’s resignation in view of the fact that she still retains her post as head of the Nurses Union while serving in the government.

Mr Pinder said that he believed Ms Hamilton should have stepped down from her union position before she was even elected to office as it would be difficult for her, as a politician, to carry out the mandate of her party, 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,” he said.