By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
ALMOST a dozen Customs and Immigration Officers were “replaced or sent home” yesterday after they refused to work their assigned shifts at Odyssey Aviation and the Arawak Cay Container Port.
One of the workers, The Tribune understands, was escorted off the Container Port’s property by police officers after she was sent home for the day, but refused to leave the property.
Despite a court ruling and a warning from Labour Minister Shane Gibson that Customs and Immigration officers must adhere to a new shift system, the workers continued to show up to work their 9am-5pm shifts.
Codero Edgecome, Sergeant-at-Arms in the Bahamas Customs and Immigration and Allied Workers Union, said the workers will not work the shift system because it is not legal.
“What happened was, when the staff went to work, the assistant controller assigned people to deal with anyone that came in after or before their shifts. Officers came to work at 9am even though they were scheduled to work from 8am. When they arrived they were told, they were being replaced and were not permitted to work,” he said.
“Another woman was escorted off of the premises by five police officers, all because she showed up for a shift that was not her shift. They rostered her for an evening shift so when she showed up at 9am they escorted her off the premises. They are trying to force them to work this shift system because of the industrial agreement, but that contravenes with the law. So we are going to do whatever is necessary to uphold the law and what happens from here happens.”
Mr Edgecombe said the union is meeting today to file an appeal against a court ruling ordering them to remain on the shift system.
He said they will also decide what the union’s next move will be.
Labour Minister Shane Gibson said those customs and immigration workers who do not adhere to the shift system will face pay cuts.
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 9am when they were supposed to show up at 4pm.
If you didn’t work, you cannot expect to be paid,” Mr Gibson said.
Comments
carlh57 10 years, 7 months ago
wow, the govt actually standing up to the unions! What next...government officials paying their back taxes? or PM actually following up on his promises to the country!? OH, wait, doubt that...
newcitizen 10 years, 7 months ago
Baby steps...
Questionmark 10 years, 7 months ago
I am GLAD its happening. Fools following foolish advice. This would have been the same person who told them before election to strike under the previous government they have "full support". Now as an MP he will not have that. Its HILARIOUS. Good luck to them.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 7 months ago
this is not the proper way to do things, u show up at the times they requested then u file grievance for the violation of contract by the government if this is so.. Failure to show up & do your job at the times they requested is insubordination and grounds for suspension or termination.. U must follow the grievance process to resolve problems.. I am sympathetic to anyone not being properly compensated especially with the high cost of living in the Bahamas but this is not the answer.. Furthermore Tribune please provide us with compensation facts as to what they are being paid, the working condition and what they are asking for.. Give the facts so that we can determine who is being unreasonable..
henny 10 years, 7 months ago
I agree with you Bahamianpride. Reporting to work when told and then file a grievance is the way to go otherwise, you only make life miserable for yourself. I'm sure there are plenty persons out there who would gladly have your job if you were to be terminated.
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