The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson says the Bahamas Customs and Immigration Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) and the government will meet on Monday.

Mr Gibson’s announcement could signal the beginning of an end for the union’s concerns, but vice-president of the BCIAWU Sloane Smith said he was not aware of the meeting.

Mr Smith said: “That’s what the minister said? I know nothing of that. Well, I guess if that’s what he said, then that’s when it is. I wish not to say anything on the matter.”

Gibson’s announcement follows Mr Smith’s ultimatum last month that unless the government initiated industrial agreement talks, union members would ‘speak and speak very loudly’.

Mr Smith said the union was 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,” he said.

Earlier in the week, concerns were raised that airport operations could be compromised as both customs and immigration workers were said to be undertaking ‘work-to-rule’ action, however, Mr Smith would neither confirm nor deny the claims.

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

The last time officers worked-to-rule several months ago, customs and immigration chiefs were forced to work empty shifts to combat long lines of visitors and Bahamians at the airport.

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 was still waiting for the new minister, Mr Gibson, to resolve the matter. He said the union will bring it up at the appropriate time.