The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union President Stephano Green said yesterday the union was not taking any industrial action against the Bahamas Electricity Corporation until after they hear from Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Mr Greene said he was “misquoted” in another newspaper and wanted to clarify the union’s position.

He said: “What I said is, I am waiting to hear from Mr Christie.

“At this point we are unsure if any of our members are being cut by the corporation.

“We still have persons who are out sick, requiring surgery and being treated on dialysis.

“So if you believe what Mr Miller and the corporation are saying, those people will not get full pay from BEC because they are getting money from NIB.

“We have not heard anything officially but we would hope that the persons responsible would do what the law says. It is at the Prime Minister’s door now, so we will wait for him before we do anything.”

On Monday, Mr Greene told The Tribune the union will continue to protest against BEC executive chairman Leslie Miller’s decision to discontinue the practice of allowing unionists to collect sick benefits from NIB in addition to their full salary for the period that they are not on the job.

But before deciding whether to take legal or industrial action against the government, Mr Greene said the union will give Prime Minister Perry Christie a chance to override Mr Miller’s decision.

He added: “The employees are ready to withdraw their labour but we are trying to keep the bull in the pen, but we don’t know how long we can do that.

“The corporation hasn’t changed their position and neither has the union.

“The union has a legal right for our position and we aren’t changing it. We are far past those days when people are threatened with their jobs.“

In response to the union’s threat, Mr Miller said: “Please, go on strike. We have 200 people waiting in line to assist us. They will start at over $40,000.”

He then said: “You will never see a strike – they have more sense than that.”

The Prime Minister is expected to return to the capital on Friday.