Seemingly frustrated with the way the government is handling a number of labour disputes, a massive undertaking is being planned by some workers organisations that will touch at least four major islands.
And, even though it is unsure if this undertaking will occur before or after Labour Day, one thing is certain: it will have “wide ranging effect and it will be on a national level,” the Guardian was told.
At a press conference at the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union of Congress headquarters on Wulff Road, president Obie Ferguson said the event would show that the labour movement is united and willing to fight for the rights of the worker.
“We are planning something that is going to be on a national level and it is going to involve the unions in Grand Bahama, New Providence, Inagua, and possibly Exuma. We are going to synchronise whatever we are going to do, and there is no mistake we are going to do something,” he said, as he voiced his displeasure with Government’s (mainly the Ministry of Labour’s) attitude towards labour organisations and denying them the right to represent workers in some quarters.
He pointed to the fact that the Tyrone “Rock” Morris, president of the Bahamas Association of Casino Employees, has been for three years attempting to secure a voting poll for non-management casino workers at the Paradise Island Casino.
He also pointed to a situation in which the Labour Minister is allegedly attempting to get workers in Freeport to work 12-hour shifts.
“We have to do something,” said Mr Ferguson. “We don’t have a choice. We are forced to do it, and when we do it, we are going to ask the Bahamian people to support us. We are going to lay it out as to what we are going to do, and why we are going to do what we are going to do because it is in the interest of the little man. We will not hide it.”
According to Mr Ferguson, workers in Grand Bahama are ready today to take action. He said, however, that plans are being made in a systematic, unified manner. “It could take place before Labour Day, leading up to it, Labour Day or sometime after. We are not sure yet, but it won’t be surprising if something happens on Labour Day. Labour Day is going to be an interesting period for us,” he said.
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
