The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 100 hotel workers, Customs & Immigration officers, and nurses did not report to work on Wednesday in support of a strike initiated by the Trade Union Congress over a number of outstanding issues with government and the private sector.

While there was no major disruption of services at the Grand Lucayan Hotel and Rand Memorial Hospital, it appears that the most impact was felt at the airport due to the absence of Immigration and Customs officers.

“They were scrambling around trying to find persons to come in to work at the airport,” according to Darren Brookes, vice-president of the Bahamas Customs & Immigration Allied Workers Union for the northern region.

He reported that around 60 Customs and Immigration officers took part in the strike, picketing first in the downtown area around 8am, and later joined hotel workers and nurses at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

A number of police officers were stationed at the resort in Lucaya as the workers marched along the sidewalk holding placards, and singing songs of solidarity.

Mr Brookes said the airport and harbour are 24-hour operations and senior ranking officers would have to be called in to work at those ports of entry.

“I am sure they are having some challenges. We also have a port at West End, Port Lucaya Marina, Lucayan Harbour, and from time to time, we are called to private marinas to clear private vessels. It is going to present a challenge for them to still maintain the normal day-to-day operations,” he said.

According to Mr Brookes, some of the issues facing Immigration and Customs officers are salary adjustments, outstanding money owed and matters relating to promotions.

“There have been unfair supersession within promotion exercises for Customs and Immigration officers have not had a promotion exercise since 2008,” he said.

“We are also seeking hazard pay for persons who work in certain areas and additional health coverage for other members.”

Mr Brookes also noted that there are a number of unresolved trade disputes for which the union was granted two strike certificates.

Michelle Dorsett, president of the Commonwealth Union of Hotel Services and Allied Workers, was pleased with the participation and turnout at Grand Lucayan.

“I am pleased to say that some 120 workers came out today in solidarity because there are many unresolved labour matters and issues that need to be addressed in Grand Bahama,” she said, adding that an industrial agreement has not yet been signed between the CUHAW and Grand Lucayan Resort.

She stated that a lot of money is still owed to workers. “Some workers are still working and we are not disturbing the hotel operations because this is our tourism industry, but we need government to understand that hotel workers are hurting.”

There are some 330 workers employed at the Grand Lucayan. Ms Dorsett said workers are owed back pay over the past six years in relation to an 8.5 per cent increase. They are also owed Christmas bonuses.

She also said that workers are not receiving any pension from the hotel.

Ms Dorsett said that the union is seeking to represent workers ta the new Memories Resort, where maids are earning “meagre” salaries.

“They have to clean 10 rooms a day and are only paid $3.50 per room – they are in need of union representation,” she said.

Kirkland Russell, vice-president of Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association, is encouraging their members to support the strike by not going to work.

“This is a peaceful strike and we are not forcing anyone or intimidating anyone or using fear tactics against our members; they can choose to participate or not go to work,” he said.

“It is a sad day when workers have to take to the streets, and leave their jobs, to strike for their basic rights.”

He criticised Labour Minister Shane Gibson and Director of Labour Robert Farquharson for attempting to instil fear in workers so that they would not participate in the strike.

“The minister who was a former trade unionist should be ashamed for doing such a time because he ascended to his political position on the backs of workers and once walked with Mr Ferguson. He knows about the trade union movement and the labour laws, and I urged workers to deal with when the time comes around again,” he said.

The Ministry of Labour has repeatedly told the TUC that strike action would be illegal because trade disputes filed by the umbrella union were forwarded to the Industrial Tribunal.

Yesterday, the government got a Supreme Court injunction that ordered workers to abandon their strike and return to work.