The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union plan to stage another “walk out” at BPL this morning, citing disrespect of the union and poorly handled negotiations of an industrial agreement.

Some weeks ago the BEWU members walked off the job and gathered at the company’s headquarters. They marched around the building in protest of what they said was poor treatment shown to them by executive management.

Union chief Kyle Wilson claims executives at BPL are trying to avoid giving his members what they deserve under their industrial agreement. Minister responsible for BPL Desmond Bannister has reportedly played the role of mediator between the union and executive managers, but Mr Wilson claims BPL executives “play nice” only while the minister is present.

Yesterday, The Tribune obtained a copy of a message sent from the union chief to his members urging them to stand up for themselves and also instructing them on today’s industrial action.

“Tomorrow (Thursday) at 9am all members are asked to assemble at the Peter I Bethel building (BPL headquarters) Blue Hill and Tucker Roads for a press conference where issues concerning health and safety and our industrial agreement will be discussed,” the message read in part.

“I spoke to the DPM Bannister today and expressed my disappointment and anger towards the treatment of workers in BPL and the poorly handled negotiations of our industrial agreement.

“We will not allow the can to be kicked down the road any more. This is a clarion call. All Family Island members: you can report to work, but there will be no work done. Assemble at your head office tomorrow or at your station until further notice.”

A source at BPL told The Tribune a coalition of unions is expected to join in with BEWU for its demonstration today.

The union chief’s message continued: “I’m calling on all members from Abaco to Inagua to be ready to stand in solidarity like you never stood before. This is our last chance to get anything for the next five years.

“Tomorrow is the last day. I’ve drawn the line in the sand and from indication based on certain conversations they won’t give us a dime. This is no time for fear or second guessing. Be ready for the call.

“The cartel from Freeport backed by their political buddies are mean and greedy and don’t want you to have an extra dollar to make things meet. They are deceiving the union with promises, shifting dates, lies, deception and excuses,” it claimed.

The message continued by telling members that their safety as regards contracting COVID-19 was in jeopardy. The union leader, in his message, called for BPL’s CEO Whitney Heastie to “go".

The message continued: “They said no to your health and no to your wealth. No proper safety protocols for your protection and no industrial agreement for you while they live like kings. Our rights and freedoms and privileges as Bahamian workers are on the line. We must stand.

“Heastie must go. We must stand. . . he says he will not allow anyone to work from home. . .

“They are literally trying to make us beggars in our own country. They spent $25 million on batteries but nothing on you, the main assets of BPL which is us, the workers.”

The union president told the BEWU members to send a “clear and strong message” that they will not accept the disrespect he claims is being shown to the union.