Airport, Airline & Allied Workers Union officials on Wednesday threatened industrial action if outstanding issues with Bahamasair and Nassau Flight Services are not addressed in short order.
Union President Nelerene Harding made the announcement during a press conference at Workers House. She claimed that Bahamasair is in breach of the Industrial Relations Act by not responding to the union’s proposed industrial agreement, which it reportedly submitted in April.
The AAAWU president also claimed that Nassau Flight Services is attempting to reduce employees’ workweeks and cut salaries by 20 percent.
“Failing to respond by October 5, seven days from today (Wednesday) we would then allow you both (Bahamasair & Nassau Flight Services) based on relationships we share with you, to choose two consecutive days you would like for employees to take their lunch hour unilaterally to demonstrate in protest of the outstanding matters,” Ms. Harding said.
According to Ms. Harding, the union is demanding that Bahamasair obey the law, and communicate with it so that negotiations on a new industrial agreement can begin.
The last industrial agreement expired on June 30, 2004.
“The months that followed was a succession of discussions in regards to management’s involvement with the privatization process which appeared to place most internal matters or concerns on hold,” Ms. Harding said.
“The union sent the proposed industrial agreement to the company on April 8, outlining the contents in regards to salary increases over the five year period proposed with a view to start negotiations within two weeks after being submitted.”
She added “The union made numerous announcements on the privatization issue commencing November 2004 up to June 27, 2005 of which today there is no official response-to explain the spending of $1million for the process that management and the minister responsible for Bahamasair had obviously not done their due diligence prior to the start of the process in hopes of being completed by the end of summer.
“As of today, we have yet to receive any verbal or written correspondence acknowledging the reason for the delay or any unforeseen circumstances that may have incurred. We have acted in good faith to all parties, followed due process required by law and exercised patience over the past one year and four months.”
The government hired consultants last year to help prepare Bahamasair for privatization. McKinsey and Co. is being paid $1 million for the task.
As it relates to Nassau Flight Services, Ms. Harding claims that management advised the union that effective September 25, 2005 through October 29, 2005 the company would reduce the work hours and pay by 20 percent.
Both the general manager of Bahamasair, Paul Major, and general manager of Nassau Flight Services Anthony Carey told The Bahama Journal on Wednesday that they had no comment on the matter due to ongoing negotiations with the union.
By: Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
