Shane Gibson
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
CUSTOMS and Immigration Officers who do not adhere to the shift system will face pay cuts, Labour Minister Shane Gibson confirmed yesterday.
Mr Gibson said the Bahamas Customs and Immigration and Allied Workers Union was the only bargaining agent that had yet to settle an industrial agreement with the government.
He added that the union could not legally act on its strike vote because the matter had been referred to the Industrial Tribunal.
“Officers that are not working their assigned shift, for those officers who showed up at nine when they were supposed to show up at four.
“If you didn’t work, you cannot expect to be paid,” Mr Gibson said.
He added: “We have settled with all the other unions, the only one outstanding is Customs and Immigration because they are being unreasonable.”
Workers voted on Friday to determine whether to go on strike to protest the government’s failure to address their concerns, including giving medical insurance to more than 300 clerical staff at the Customs and Immigration department.
Union officials yesterday said that a request for a strike certificate was requested from the Department of Labour, adding that the certificate is valid for one year.
At a press conference last week, then acting Labour Minister Alfred Gray revealed that some officers have refused to work their assigned hours despite a court ruling ordering them to remain on the shift system.
Speaking with the press, Mr Gray said before the ruling, both parties agreed they would return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations, however the union has not shown good faith.
Mr Gray said: “It should be noted that the ruling issued by the Honourable Justice Ian Winder (acting) did not invalidate the shift system nor did it state the shift system should be suspended. Additionally, the filing of a writ does not have the effect of reverting officer’s hours of work from 9am to 5pm.
“Consequently, the present status quo, being the shift system, must remain until an order of the court says otherwise....Failure and refusal of these officers to work their assigned shifts will be viewed as a breach of their terms of employment and a breach of the rule of the Public Service.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 8 months ago
To all Customs and Immigration officers. You had your run. You took us for hundreds of millions in overtime over the decades thru your abuse of the system. It is over. Get over it or leave. Your choice.
Way to go Shane! Stand up to those want everything for nothing officers....
sheeprunner12 10 years, 8 months ago
Only in the Bahamas are civil servants resistant to flexi-time!!!!!!!!! Why do we believe every job should be 9-5???????? Get rid of the antiquated Government General Orders please
bismark 10 years, 8 months ago
What part of the shift system these people do not understand?get your backsides back on the job the Bahamian people are paying you to do or go home and give somebodyelse the job,they have milked the system for two long.
The_Oracle 10 years, 8 months ago
Meanwhile, revenue collection at the border drops by 50% as payback! Incompetents at the helm, incompetents through the ranks.
birdiestrachan 10 years, 8 months ago
I agree with the above comments, to some extent as does many Bahamians across the board. But I will not agree to calling the officers incompetent. or the 50% as pay back. I disagree with that.
carlh57 10 years, 8 months ago
wow, welcome to the 21st customs and immigration workers! shift work...part of modern life. Part of making a living. Part of supporting your family. Get on with it...or get gone! Get over yourselves!
ceesuz 10 years, 8 months ago
And this should be the only thing to worry? http://phylixo.com">http://phylixo.com
Bahamianpride 10 years, 8 months ago
You work the shift work and if its in violation of the contract, file a grievance and go through the process.. You don't get to stage self protest or disregard your duties or the lawful request of your employer.. That is insubordination, grounds for termination.. Trust me there are a lot of Bahamians in line to get those jobs, u don't have a unique skill that cannot be easily trained..
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