The Tribune

BY ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS’ tourism industry could face disruption as the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) yesterday renewed threats of industrial action over its escalating dispute with livery operators. The Trade Union Congress (TUC), its umbrella bod, warned its affiliates are in support.

Tyrone Butler, the BTCU president, said the union has exhausted its patience with the Government and does not see a path towards resolving the dispute without industrial action. “I think it’s fair to assume that I don’t see any way of resolving this matter without any kind of industrial action,” Mr Butler said.

The warning comes as the TUC, led by Obie Ferguson KC, threw its support behind the taxi union and said its roughly 30 affiliates could stand with drivers if they are called to take action.

Mr Ferguson, speaking alongside the taxi union, said the TUC will not allow drivers to be “tampered with” and called on union members throughout the country to follow the direction of the leadership.

“We’re going to do what we have to do for you, taxi drivers, officers, with all of us here together,” Mr Ferguson said. “If you catching hell, I catching hell. One for all, all for one.”

The prospect of industrial action carries significant implications for the tourism-dependent economy, particularly because the dispute centres on operations at the country’s main international gateway, Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA). Mr Ferguson described taxi drivers as critical to the tourism industry.

“Tourism is our number one industry, and who plays the critical role in that? Taxi drivers,” he said.

Mr Butler, however, rejected the suggestion that responsibility for protecting the tourism industry should fall on the taxi union if industrial action is eventually taken. Asked whether he was concerned about the potential impact on tourism, Mr Butler said that question should be directed to the Government.

“They run the country,” he said. “They should be the first ones thinking about the tourists. We feel disappointed that we have a government who doesn’t see the importance of doing what is in the best interest of tourism, and you’re leaving it to us to decide for you something you should be doing.”

Mr Ferguson said the TUC’s support for the BTCU extends beyond the taxi industry, arguing that the labour movement must stand together when the interests of one of its affiliates are threatened.

He said the TUC would take the same position if Customs officers, Immigration officers, doctors or air traffic controllers faced similar circumstances. He also warned that the situation could become volatile if large numbers of taxi drivers are called to the airport.

“We’re going to have to call all them taxi drivers and tell them meet down to the airport,” he said. “And anything is likely to happen.” Mr Ferguson also addressed the two-week trial agreement he said was reached with the Government.

“They said two weeks,” he said. “That’s what the minister said - both ministers, beginning from Monday gone, it would go for two weeks. We’d see how it works, which makes sense to me. And if we have to make minor adjustments, we’ll make it. But you got to do it.”

The Ministry of Transport, however, maintains that its position is for the two sides to meet, negotiate in good faith and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. 

“At this stage, the Ministry is awaiting the outcome of the meeting between the two parties,” the ministry said. It added that once the parties reach an agreement, the ministry would do its part to ensure that the terms are respected and both sides honour their commitments. The ministry said its focus remains on finding a “fair, practical” solution that protects the livelihoods of transportation workers and the country’s tourism product.

The Bahamas Livery Drivers Union has rejected the taxi union and TUC’s account that an agreement was reached with all stakeholders. Livery union president, Tory Austin, said his organisation was not present when the alleged agreement was reached.

“I saw the statement that the TUC president would have said that there was some agreement that all stakeholders were in place, and that is incorrect,” Mr Austin said. “We were not in place during any agreement.”

Mr Austin questioned how the Government could implement an agreement that airport stakeholders and the livery industry were allegedly unaware of. “If there was some kind of agreement, how come nobody knows about it from the airport, NAD is not aware of it?” he said. “No one else is aware of it other than the taxis.”

He said the livery industry remains concerned about the dispute but will continue operating. “Any time we talk about disrupting the tourism sector, I always worry,” Mr Austin said. “But we will continue to conduct business.”

Despite the potential consequences for tourism, Mr Butler said the BTCU is not preparing an alternative strategy should industrial action fail to achieve its objective.

“We don’t need a back-up plan,” he said. “Our plan is to correct what is being done, one way or the other, come hell or high water. We looking to have no bac-up plan. When we go, we going. It’s as simple as that. Either we win or we lose.”

The union has not disclosed what form the industrial action would take or when it could begin. Mr Butler said the union would first consult with its members, supporters and the TUC before deciding its next steps.