FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright reiterated his party’s call for the Davis administration to be transparent with Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) staff about its plans to reform the company, saying workers are in a “paralysing uncertainty” over their future.
“The workers of our nation deserve a government who cares about their interest, their right to organise, and one who values respectful dialogue for the betterment of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said in a statement yesterday.
His comments came after Kyle Wilson, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union’s (BEWU) president, said employees are “frustrated” and “angry” about not getting concrete answers over how staff will be affected by the administration’s plans.
“Bahamian workers and their unions are tired of the government lip service,” Mr Cartwright said. “Bahamian workers are suffering under a government that over-promises and underdelivers. The government is betraying Bahamian workers.”
“They have shown little regard in fulfilling many agreements as shared by union officials. They have been dismissive and disrespectful to the plight and concerns of many workers and their respective unions since taking office.”
The government is entering a 25-year agreement with Pike Corporation through its Bahamian management company, Island Grid Solutions, to upgrade and manage BPL’s transmission and distribution network. The government will own 40 per cent of the shares in a special purpose vehicle, Bahamas Grid Company, and Island Grid Solutions will own 60 per cent.
The Ministry of Energy and Transport said on Wednesday that it has met with BPL’s two unions to inform them of upcoming changes. BPL’s plans “include an ironclad commitment to protect the job security of BPL union workers”, the ministry said, adding that the industrial agreements will be honoured.
Comments
birdiestrachan 1 month, 1 week ago
Ah well these are the people and their Fnm papa who said Bahamians need not apply to buy BTC and gave the shipping port and the cruise to those whom they favored, this man who is no stranger to ugly, check out the post office ,
birdiestrachan 1 month, 1 week ago
Another trick he tries to play is the crime issue, , Saunders was at one of their protest, the Fnm does not have the answer to crime they use crime in the hope it will advance their party if they have the answer then bring it forward,
sheeprunner12 1 month, 1 week ago
The Bahamian ppl smell a real big stink smell coming out of Parliament on this BPL carcass.
The vultures (Sunshine Boys) are gobbling up the old rotten company ....... So long, bye bye
Bonefishpete 1 month, 1 week ago
If Pike hires all union BPL workers to do the rebuilding of BPL infrastructure which said union employees are already doing what is going to change about said infrastructure?
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