The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNS were raised over talk yesterday of a possible Customs and Immigration strike at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Sloane Smith, vice-president of the Bahamas Customs and Immigration Allied Union, would neither confirm nor deny whether union members had taken industrial action but he is expected to make a statement on the matter today.

The Tribune understands the union members were

operating on “work-to-rule”.

Immigration Director Jack Thompson said he was “unaware of any strike.”

Last week, Mr Smith told The Tribune the new government has until the end of August to initiate an industrial agreement conversation before union members “speak and speak very loudly.”

Mr Smith said the union is simply asking the government to live up to the promises made by the PLP during the election campaign.

“Quite frankly, we the leaders, are doing everything in our power to keep the members calm and at least give the government an opportunity to make good on its promises, unsolicited though they were.

“They promised to address our issues during the campaign at the time. So we are simply saying to them, let’s do the reasonable thing. Let’s get this matter resolved.”

Mr Smith said union officials attempted to meet with the new government on several occasions, but the government was “never ready.”

He said their main concerns are medical coverage for clerical workers, proper salaries for all in the bargaining unit and an increase in the level of insurance for members who have to carry firearms.

In April, Customs and Immigration workers staged a two week strike at eight locations throughout the Bahamas.

The strike ended when former Labour Minister Dion Foulkes referred their trade dispute to the Industrial Tribunal and told the officers they had 24 hours to return to work.

Mr Smith said the union is still waiting for the new minister, Shane Gibson, to resolve the matter. He said the union will bring it up “at the appropriate time.”