The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Pia Glover-Rolle and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson disagree over how many of the TUC’s labour concerns have been addressed, with Mr Ferguson insisting that none has been resolved and warning that the union will take a more aggressive position.

Mr Ferguson, who represents nearly 18 unions under the TUC, accused the government of failing to take meaningful action and dismissed quarterly meetings with Mrs Glover-Rolle as insufficient for negotiations.

He argued that a one-hour meeting could not resolve 40 separate union issues. He confirmed he would attend the next quarterly meeting on March 28 but hinted at applying greater pressure for a resolution. Though he did not specify what actions unions may take, he warned that “everything is on the table.”

Mrs Glover-Rolle told The Tribune that some concerns have been resolved while others are being addressed. She said the Ministry of Labour’s Labour Relations Unit has been engaging union leaders to find solutions and that some matters have even been discussed with Prime Minister Philip Davis. However, she could not provide a list of resolved issues, saying it would be made available later. She also argued that the TUC continues to include previously resolved matters on its list of grievances.

A letter dated October 24, 2024, obtained by The Tribune, outlines more than 40 concerns sent to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who was acting prime minister at the time. Among them were demands for unfulfilled renovations to the House of Labour and support for legislation on a livable wage.

The Bahamas Doctors Union claimed the Public Hospitals Authority had refused to sign off on an industrial agreement while imposing unreasonable demands on doctors. The union also raised concerns about staff shortages in internal medicine, which they said are creating an unsustainable workload, leading to burnout and longer patient wait times.

Inadequate insurance coverage for doctors has also placed them at financial and professional risk, affecting their ability to perform their duties effectively. BDU President Dr Camille Glinton-Thompson recently defended the union’s stance on overtime compensation and time-tracking requirements, saying doctors are not opposed to recording their attendance but want written guarantees that they will be compensated for all overtime worked. She warned that if a clock-in system is introduced, the cost could be exorbitant given the number of hours doctors work.

The letter also highlighted complaints from the Consultant Physicians Staff Association about the Public Hospitals Authority’s failure to sign off on the industrial agreement, particularly regarding health insurance. It was claimed that severe staff shortages compromised patient care, especially in Freeport, though Nassau was also affected. The Bahamas Nurses Union accused the Public Hospitals Authority of failing to follow the registered industrial agreement.

The Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union said the government has not adhered to a September 10, 2021 agreement, as contract workers are still holding positions and titles, including director and assistant directors. It was also alleged that officers had not been paid overtime or transportation allowances for six months or more.

The letter further stated that the government had failed to sign the negotiated industrial agreement, provide the agreed increments, and had breached the existing agreement with the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association.

The Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Association called for a lease agreement with the Department of Agriculture and financial assistance for fire victims on Potter’s Cay Dock, saying the government had failed to allocate necessary funds.

Salary adjustments and hazard pay were among the concerns raised by the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers’ Union.

The Bahamas Educators’ Counsellors and Allied Workers Union cited complaints about teachers paying for housing when working in the Family Islands, prolonged confirmation processes, and delays in reclassification after obtaining higher qualifications.

The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union is demanding outstanding promotions and the registration of the 2022-2025 industrial agreement, while the Bahamas General Workers Union pointed to non-payment of monthly salaries and a lack of transparency regarding department vacancies and promotions.

The RM Bailey Park and Allied Vendors Association said the government had failed to negotiate an industrial agreement. The United Artists Bahamas Union is advocating for immigration and labour protections to ensure local artists are not overlooked for opportunities and wants representation on the Pension Board of Trustees.

The Union of Public Officers raised concerns over the National Insurance Board’s failure to finalise the 2024-2028 industrial agreement with a satisfactory financial package, approve promotions and restructuring for workers, and settle outstanding payments owed to members.

Earlier this year, under Mr Ferguson’s leadership, hundreds of healthcare workers staged a work stoppage, severely disrupting operations at public hospitals and clinics. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals walked off the job over longstanding labour disputes, including expired industrial agreements, staff shortages, and inadequate insurance coverage. The strike forced the government to implement contingency measures, including pulling staff from follow-up clinics, enlisting retired healthcare workers, and reassigning clinical nurses to maintain essential services.