The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

BAHAMAS Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union President Dwayne Woods demanded “immediate resolution” on four “outstanding disputes” between the union and the Water and Sewerage Corporation “before enthusiasm is withdrawn”.

His comments came during a lunchtime protest when nearly 100 workers demonstrated outside the corporation’s headquarters.

“We will be pulling out all of our weapons now,” he said. “This union usually leaves industrial action for the last resort but, if we have to bite, punch and kick to get this matter fixed (we will) – there are no rules in a fight.

“The union is at its wit’s end on these matters and we need them resolved now. We really want resolution before enthusiasm starts to waiver.”

He added: “If we withdraw our enthusiasm then anything could happen.”

As the demonstration drew to a close, Mr Woods could be heard telling some of his union members: “They have seven days, I know that this is the Christmas season, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do.”

He added: “Sewage is suppose to go down, sometimes it comes up.”

Mr Woods claimed that the corporation and its general manager, Glen Laville had breached the industrial agreement between the two groups after Mr Laville refused to settle all outstanding disputes pointed out by the union.

BUSAWU officials said that the union and the corporation have been at odds over these issues for more than six months. Mr Woods added that the union is “at wits end, and will not stop until their demands are met.”

Mr Woods said: “The failure to reinstate a member despite written notice from the corporation’s chairman calling for the member’s reinstatement and the corporation’s refusal to pay outstanding payments of shift premiums and holiday pay to one union member is why we are here.

“The affected employee has been off the job since August 5. BUSAWU officials subsequently approached management on the matter, and have spoken to management consistently regarding the employee’s reinstatement.”

Mr Woods said a directive by WSC chairman, Lester Cox, to reinstate the employee was issued on November 6 in writing. Mr Woods said, however, the general manager “insists that he and the board chairman still have discussions on these matters.”

He added: “The inconsistent practice of probationary period for two employees at the corporation, and the discontinuation of the NIB sick pay and maternity benefit are the other two reasons we are here.

“If you mess with one of us, then you mess with all. We are here in solidarity to correct all of these outstanding issues that Water and Sewerage and its chairman continues to avoid.”

Mr Woods said the union met with WSC management on December 10, but there has been “no movement” on the outstanding issues.

Mr Laville could not be reached for comment, but did inform The Tribune on Tuesday that he does not want to fight the union in the media.

Yesterday Mr Woods was adamant that his union would not back down.

“If we have to turn up the heat then we will go into the kitchen and turn up the heat. Our union will fight for everyone of our members until their issue is resolved.”

While he did not rule out industrial action as an option, Mr Woods asked the public to bear with the union until the matters are resolved.

Mr Woods added: “Secondly, we would like to appeal to the stakeholders of the corporation to step in and resolve these matters before it results in a withdrawal of enthusiasm of out members.”