The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business

Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s (BEC) managerial union yesterday pledged that it was ready to sign a new industrial agreement, after the two sides settled their trade dispute at the Labour Board.

Clinton Minnis, the Bahamas Electrical Managerial Union’s (BEMU) president, said it was now ready to help with the BEC reform process,  having agreed last week to settle the trade dispute with the corporation. 

Speaking with Tribune Business, Mr Minnis explained: “We went to the Labour Board last week, and the union has agreed on the settlement of the dispute.

“However, the Corporation has some apprehension because some things haven’t gone in their favour. On one hand, with the pension issue, the Labour Board ruled in our favour.

“The issue with the retirees getting a lump sum, they said that the Government’s policy with any contracts they sign is that they are not paying anything retroactive to anyone who is not employed at the Corporation at the time of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding that we had. We are not fighting them on that.”

Mr Minnis added: “Our main issue is the pension. They have voted to keep the language that we prefer in the document to protect those of us who would be going into retirement or would have voluntary separation.

“We are satisfied that there was a balanced decision from the Board, but the Corporation wanted some changes to the pension language. We want it to stay the way it is because it’s been like that for eons.”

At a press conference earlier this month, Mr Minnis  said the failure to secure a new industrial agreement and changes to the employee pension plan were “critical issues” concerning the manager’s union.

“We don’t want to fight any more. We just want to make sure that we get our contract signed and we are prepared now to help with the reform process. We just need the information on the draft legislation for the Bahamas Power and Light Company, as well as the time we will meet with the Government and PowerSecure on the business plan. Two months has now gone,” said Mr Minnis.

“I think we are where we need to be. The only thing is now we don’t have the documents for the draft legislation for the new company. That is what we want.”