The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

KEITH “Muggins” Archer’s many years of dedication and service as a labour unionist are to be marked with a testimonial dinner later this month.

The Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) announced its plans on Friday to honour and celebrate Mr Archer’s contributions and longevity with a dinner on June 27 under the patronage of Shane Gibson, the Minister of Labour.

Union president Bernard Evans called Mr Archer a “legend”, claiming that many employees of the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BTC)  and the Broadcast Corporation of the Bahamas “benefited greatly” from his tenure.

Mr Archer, a former employee of Batelco, has been active in the leadership of the BCPOU since its formation in 1973. During his 14 years as an active trade unionist Mr Archer played an instrumental role in championing the cause of social and economic justice for Bahamian workers.

At a press conference at BCPOU Hall, Mr Evans indicated that Mr Archer was responsible for spearheading the introduction and implementation of three innovative self-help projects by the union in the 1980s - the BCPOU Medical and Pension Plan and its housing programme for union members. 

While serving as chairman of the union’s Pension Plan Trustee Board, Mr Archer supervised the provision of soft consumer loans as well as mortgages for the construction of homes for union members.

Jennifer Issacs-Dotson, General Secretary for the National Trade Union Congress of the Bahamas, expressed her admiration for the man she considers one of her best advisors and said the acknowledgment could not be given to a better person. 

“He stood for so much, many of us that came up in the trade unions owe so much to him for the examples he set.

“All of his actions opened the door for what is available to us today.”

Since leaving the forefront of trade union leadership in 1991, Mr Archer has continued his commitment and service in the arena of industrial relations as a labour consultant and mediator, where his experience in the field assisted in the successful conclusion of a number of industrial matters in recent years.