The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson and BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller could not say yesterday whether layoffs are looming at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation after the government announced the selection of an American company to manage the corporation.

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard raised the possibility when he told this newspaper last week that layoffs are likely, as the incoming management will attempt to dramatically lower electricity costs.

Asked about Mr Maynard’s concern, Mr Gibson said he knows nothing about the matter.

Likewise, Mr Miller said he has had nothing to do with the selection and future actions of the new company.

“I, nor the board, have not been informed of what will happen to BEC,” Mr Miller said, adding that he does not know when Cabinet officials will inform him and the board about the corporation’s future.

Nonetheless, last week Mr Maynard said he is prepared to negotiate in the best interest of BEC’s workers and of the country.

“It probably will (result in layoffs),” the union leader said. “We’re waiting to see when they reveal their business plans. They are expected to present in two weeks and we’ll come to the table and negotiate. I would prefer to be at the table negotiating instead of downtown demonstrating.

“It’s better to be inside negotiating than outside demonstrating, and the deal is still getting made so you’re not going to stop the process. Once it’s above board the union will support it. The government gave the mandate that they want the light bill cut by 50 per cent, and that benefits the Bahamian people. The decision has to benefit them. If it’s a whole new economy, if you can cut that bill in half, once that is done I’ll be the first person to support,” he added.

“If it isn’t I’ll be the first person crying foul.”

Nearly two years since the government initially announced plans to restructure BEC, it was announced that an American company, PowerSecure International, was selected as the new management company. In a statement on Thursday, Minister of Works Philip Davis revealed that PowerSecure received a five-year contract to oversee generation and transmission/distribution of electricity at BEC.

It is hoped that the process will lower electricity costs, increase energy security and reliability, and increase competitiveness as a country.

Last week, Mr Maynard said: “The prime minister said to me that he did not want a situation to happen where we have mass layoffs and get their package money and it’s wasted. If layoffs are happening, he said that we would have to explain how it’s going to benefit the worker and where they are going to go.

“If we decide that we want to give packages, I need to come with a business plan of how it’s going to work and where they will work.”

According to Tribune Business, it is understood that BEC will have a new board comprised of new directors, while plans to restructure its legacy debt and other liabilities will run in parallel to PowerSecure’s work.