The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder yesterday spoke out against a viral text message calling it “counter productive” to organised labour movements.

The outspoken union president said that he had no knowledge of who was behind the message. Mr Pinder questioned why those suggesting a nation-wide strike rally on Monday at R M Bailey Park would circumvent conventional norms proven to work by unions in the past.

He indicated that he had seen the message, adding that there were current national issues that could explain the call for general strike action. However, Mr Pinder said that those reasons had to be made clear first to employers.

Mr Pinder said the “grand stance” called for by the unknown group has failed to “sensitise employers” to the exact labour issues affecting workers and it didn’t  make clear why the proposed strike action was necessary.

“What I don’t get is why someone would go this route to make their point,” he said. “Employers have to be at least notified of the issues surrounding any strike action, protocol must be followed.

“I am a supporter of protocol. When you have exhausted every possible avenue and there is still no recourse in a labour dispute, then you go back to those you represent and counsel on this best way forward.

“If it is determined that a strike is needed, you hold a vote to protect those you represent. It makes no sense to put persons at risk to pay cuts and potential job losses.”

Last September, Mr Pinder urged his 13,000 members not to get involved in a “nonsensical strike” planned by a few “greedy people” that could cost them their jobs.

At the time, he said: “Nobody has given me any real or sensible reason why we should strike.”

The text message circulating this week claims that due to increases in the cost of living, a lack of an increase in the minimum wage rates and the January implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) it was time for a “Bahamian nation strike rally”.