A decision by Minister of Labour Vincent Peet to send the dispute between the Hotel Union and the Nassau Yacht Club to the Industrial Tribunal prompted another demonstration outside the club on Tuesday.
At the heart of the dispute is the termination of 11 employees amid negotiations for an industrial agreement.
In announcing that he was sending the dispute to the Tribunal, Minister Peet said on Monday that he still expected negotiations to continue for that new contract.
The unionﾴs general secretary, Leo Douglas, led the latest demonstration. During the quiet protest, the workers, who were carrying placards asking for the minister and the prime minister to do more to resolve the matter, chanted for justice.
Mr. Douglas said it was improper for Minister Peet to take the course of action he took because he never brought both parties together to discuss their concerns.
ﾓThe union is disappointed to see the Minister communicate to the union through the media,ﾒ Mr. Douglas said. ﾓAt no time did the Minister call the union and state the position of the employers.ﾒ
He added, ﾓThe Hotel Union executive met with the Minister on SundayﾅWe adjourned Sunday evening and he asked us to send a position paper [on] the position we had [as it relates to] the industrial agreement negotiations and we did that [Monday]ﾅAfter that, we saw the Minister on TV and on radio stating that he sent some dispute over to the Industrial Tribunal.ﾒ
But Minister Peet told The Bahama Journal that he did not act without the unionﾴs knowledge.
ﾓMr. Pat Bain (the unionﾴs president) was made aware of [the decision to refer the matter] and was fully aware of what I was about to do and that was the course I took,ﾒ he told The Bahama Journal shortly after coming out of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Mr. Douglas believes that Minister Peet sent a bad signal in handling the matter the way he did.
ﾓAt no time did the Minister call the Hotel Union back and say, ﾑThis is where weﾴre at. The employer had this to say and this is what you all had to sayﾴ. We know the Minister is the Minister and he has the authority to say anything. We donﾴt have the TV coverage like him perhaps, but we believe the minister should have [been more courteous] because that is an insult to the union.ﾒ
Minister Peet has said that there should be no industrial action taken while the matter is before the Industrial Tribunal, but Mr. Douglas said that the union will continue to demonstration until the matter is resolved.
Raymond Wright, assistant general secretary, said ﾓenough is enoughﾒ, but he said ﾓhell will freeze overﾒ before the union allows management to treat the workers unfairly.
ﾓWe have been driven to the point. We are at the end and weﾴre not stopping now. This is only the tip of the iceberg, you know,ﾒ Mr. Wright said. ﾓIf this matter is not resolved, imagine what will happen at the other properties. This is just a trickle down effect you know.ﾒ
Managers of the Yacht Club have made no public statements on the matter.
After meeting with both sides on Sunday and Monday, Minister Peet said neither party was willing to compromise.
Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
