The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC Service Union President John Pinder yesterday said he is considering running for political office in the next general election, insisting that whatever party he joins would have to adopt the “firm and feasible” national plan he is presently drafting.

According to Mr Pinder, he and several unionists have an interest in political careers, however, he said, they are more focused on drafting an “all encompassing” national plan before joining a political party.

“I can see myself running for political office in 2017,” said Mr Pinder. “I want to and it is pointing towards that. What I need to do first is get these ideas floating around out there – ideas that make sense – bring them all together and see if we can find a way to make it a national plan.”

“We are looking for a political leader who wants to do that. If no one wants to do that, then we will have to form a group to contest seats and then after the election, those of us that are successful will work to align ourselves with a political party.”

Mr Pinder argued that plans to move the country forward are being stifled by established political groups.

“There are good plans all over the country,” he said. “We need to build the best national plan possible and then we will work on approaching each party.”

“When we have that plan all together, we can sit down with (the PLP, FNM and DNA) to determine how willing they are to adopt and use the firm and feasible plan we come up with,” added Mr Pinder.

Last week he called for “a change in our country” as hotel workers protested outside the Melià Nassau Beach Resort in Cable Beach. The protest was prompted by Melia’s decision to stop deducting union dues from staff wages.

At the time, Mr Pinder maintained that he has no problem with foreign investment, but could not accept those investors treating Bahamian workers inappropriately.

Yesterday, Mr Pinder told The Tribune his calls for members of the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas to form a voting bloc with an aim to oust the Progressive Liberal Party was not intended to discredit the work of the present regime, but a suggestion that a more “nationalistic” administration would be needed to move the country forward.

He went on to insist that the rights and needs of Bahamians are being overlooked in favour of foreign investment because modern-day politicians view mega investments as “major political points.” He added that the plan he is working on would allow Bahamians to be the owners of the nation’s economy, while transforming the sectors of society rarely addressed by politicians.

Mr Pinder said he has formed an association with other unionists, vowing that they are only interested in finding the best way to empower Bahamians and not political fame.

“We are here to work with, not take over or control. We want to work with political groups who are interested in moving the country forward,” he said.

Mr Pinder will not be the first unionist to seek political office. In fact, he would be following in the footsteps of current Labour Minister Shane Gibson and current Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson.

In 1997, Shane Gibson was elected to represent the Golden Gates constituency for the first time, and since then, has become a political mainstay. On the other hand, Mr Ferguson has contested two elections, losing both times. South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton is also the former president of the Bahamas Nurses Union.

Mr Pinder said his political plans would become clearer after the national conventions of both the PLP and the DNA, which are scheduled for later this year.