The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder says he will continue to advocate for the removal of Gaming Board Chairman Dr Andre Rollins in the midst of several decisions which had to be reversed by Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Mr Pinder had threatened to disrupt operations at casinos throughout the country after workers from the Gaming Board were reportedly terminated for minor infractions.

While Dr Rollins, at the time claimed that his actions would only be in the best interest of the Board, Mr Pinder said the Prime Minister was forced to intervene on behalf of the four employees  – reversing the terminations of three and the suspension of another.

“The Prime Minister had intervened and Dr Rollins was summoned to the Office of the Prime Minister. He in turn ordered that those four people be reinstated,” said Mr Pinder.

“This guy is out of order because he goes against orders. He must go. The union has always encouraged goodwill especially as there is an industrial agreement in place.

“With Mr Christie keeping him there, it doesn’t show goodwill on behalf of the Gaming Board in that if the Minister cannot control the Chairman, there will always be incidents where the Prime Minister has to intervene. It creates a break down in protocol.”

Mr Pinder said the union was relieved that the employees were reinstated as they were single mothers.

He added that the BPSU was closely monitoring and deciding on their next course of action as the board was expected to make some payments owed to workers since the Christmas holiday.

However, Mr Pinder said, those persons who are owed have yet to be paid.

“Right now we are just watching. The union wants goodwill, but if we have to work with Rollins we will not practice leniency.”

Last Friday, Dr Rollins told the press that the recent terminations were not personal attacks but the result of matters that warranted action.

Attempts to reach Dr Rollins up to press time were not successful.