The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Public Services Union President Kimsley Ferguson insisted yesterday that disputes about the union’s financial affairs will be addressed internally, without public commentary.

His comment followed a report in the Bahama Journal that detailed the union’s financial problems.

The article alleged the union’s financial state has worsened under Mr Ferguson’s leadership.

Asked to address the matter yesterday, Mr Ferguson said: “Executives have concerns; they will be addressed internally.”

Pressed for more, he said the union has a responsibility to its members, suggesting it had no obligation to address its matters for the public to understand.

His predecessor at the BPSU, John Pinder, told The Tribune the union has a “liquid cash” problem, adding: “It has sufficient assets that if they had to sell them off they can cover the debt. They have a number of properties and I believe they can juggle the funds properly should they find it necessary.”

Mr Pinder said the union’s deteriorated financial position is because of several factors, including a large payout for medical claims over the years.

“We’ve had big claims over a four-year period,” the former union leader said. “Up to $280,000 in one case and other big ones in the same year at times.”

In addition, the union owes real property taxes to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, he said.