A possible case of arson is suspected in the blaze which caused extensive damage to Aquapure’s pumping station at Gladstone Road on Friday night.
The Guardian was informed that fire officials, after having being called to the scene around 7.30 p.m. and battling the blaze for more than an hour, discovered an inflammatory cocktail and a broken window, which led them to suspect that arson may be the case. Investigators were back on the scene on Saturday morning.
Reportedly, the fire caused heat damage throughout the building, including extensive damage to the roof and pumping equipment. The Guardian attempted to contact Aquapure owners, John and Mary McSweeney, for comment on the matter and to find out how the business will be affected, but all efforts failed. The Guardian was informed that they would not be at the business establishment until Monday.
Although the Guardian is not speculating at this time about what may have led to Friday night’s event, management at Aquapure have been locked in a two-week stalemate with officials from the Bahamas Beverage Water Distributors Union (BBWDU) over the company’s refusal to pay Christmas bonuses. The union also has concerns about pensions and national insurance contributions.
On Jan. 6, management at Aquapure fired 11 workers who participated in what the union described as a press conference, but what management insisted was an illegal strike. It is believed that at least one of the terminated employees was employed with the company for about 14 years.
The Guardian spoke with BBWDU advisor Huedley Moss on Sunday about the matter and whether he thought it would have a negative effect on last resort talks scheduled for Tuesday. He responded: “I am not aware of anything. I’m hearing about this for the first time from you. Our focus is still to get those workers reinstated immediately. That is our primary focus.”
A meeting was held between the BBWDU and the water company on Friday at the Department to try and resolve the matter, but an agreement was not reached. The meeting environment was said to be “extremely hostile.” It is understood that a final meeting has been planned for 4p.m. on Tuesday, to be held on Aquapure’s premises.
The Guardian has been informed that because of the hostility between the two entities, BBWDU advisor Mr Moss and Aquapure’s lawyers will not be a part of the meeting.
Aquapure Territory Development Manager Gregory Tynes confirmed to ZNS news that there is a meeting set and the case of the 11 workers is now before the Labour Board.
Mr Tynes said that the fire should not adversely affect operations as the company has an osmosis plant at its Bernard Road compound, as well as its Gladstone Road well fields. He said they will simply have to adjust their focus to produce water at the Bernard Road site.
Mr Tynes was not prepared to speculate about sabotage, saying only that the company’s directors are leaving that to trained investigators. He indicated that the company is hoping to proceed with business as usual on Monday.
In the meantime, President of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union of Congress Obie Ferguson informed the Guardian via a telephone interview that a responsive Labour Department ought to have intervened in the dispute between BBWDU and Aquapure and have that matter in front of the Tribunal from last Friday.
“It is not a single matter, it is involving 11 workers. So what you do is put that on fast track, and have that matter dealt with. By doing that you obviate the need for industrial action,” Mr Ferguson explained.
A strike vote was taken against Aquapure on Jan. 13. BBWDU told the Guardian they are in possession of their strike certificate.
Said Mr Ferguson: “….Simple matter at Aquapure. Eleven workers were terminated because they participated in a press conference. It was no strike. How can they have a strike without strike vote? A responsive Minister of Labour ought to have intervened in that matter immediately, and have that matter referred to the Tribunal. It is simple. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out.”
Keva Lightbourne, Nassau Guardian
January 24th, 2005
