The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A DAY after the government signed off on a wage increase for public workers, Trade Union Congress (TUC) president Obie Ferguson renewed his promise to lead workers in an “imminent” strike.

Mr Ferguson said yesterday the strike will be in protest against working conditions in the country and will be staged when it has the most effect. Minimum wage and employment status issues are the main concerns for him and others who gathered to support the gesture.

Dismissing Thursday’s industrial agreement signing, which he said benefitted only some Bahamians, Mr Ferguson said: “Leaders of the Bahamas are going to the House of Assembly and talking - and they aren’t talking about issues pertaining to the working man. I’m in the courts every day, fighting for basic, basic rights of Bahamian workers; poor workers trying to get vacation pay.”

Despite the $800 minimum wage rise for public servants, across-the-board increases in minimum wage for workers are not under consideration by the government at the moment, according to State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis.

Mr Ferguson did not give a date for the planned strike. “We’re going to do what we’re going to do on our time, on our schedule, when we think it will have the most effect on the work we are trying to achieve. We invite all workers of this country, all workers, whether you’re in a union or not. We’re asking you to heed our cry when we make the call,” he said.

The TUC represents 26 unions and has a collective membership of about 15,000 workers.

Mr Ferguson has been threatening to lead workers on a three-day strike for months.

Last month, John Pinder, president of the Bahamas Public Service Union, said that the strike is “unlikely to happen”, adding that the government appeared to be negotiating in favour of the unions on most pending issues.