Trade unionism in The Bahamas seems a strange thing indeed. Over the past few weeks I have followed with much interest and dismay the very public and protracted negotiations involving The Bahamas Public Service Union, The Bahamas Electrical Workers Union and The Teachers Union. There is no doubt that unions have a very real and dynamic role to play in the Bahamian economy, however when one considers the challenges and realities of the modern Bahamas, there is a definite need to closely examine the functions and modus operandi of these organisations.
The most appalling act of insensitivity and immaturity from union leaders for some time must have been last week’s demonstration in Parliament Square less than two days after so many Bahamians suffered considerable loss from the passage of Hurricane Wilma.
At a time when the nation sympathised with our brothers and sisters in Grand Bahama and the Government is forced to find millions upon millions of unbudgeted funds to address immediate needs of citizens directly affected by the hurricane, it is sad that these union leaders seemed only concerned with themselves and how much they can squeeze from the overstretched public purse. When so many have none, how in good conscience could these unionists be only obsessed with getting more? Union executives should realise that they are national leaders, and under the circumstances, at best, they demonstrated very poor judgement and insensitive leadership.
A clear indication of the fickle and “at any cost” tactics of present crop of union leaders was the reported call for the return of Hubert Ingraham by many protestors last week. Undoubtedly, many of the protestors are not genuine in their views and displayed opportunistic behaviour in making such a brazen call. It was not too long ago that many of the same protestors physically roughed up Hubert Ingraham for his tough stance on unions and overwhelmingly voted out his Government partly for what they (these opportunists) deemed poor labour relations.
Is there any logic or sense that can be applied to their calls, motivations and chants? The large number of workers represented by these union executives and protestors deserve so much better. There indeed needs to be some rationality and consistency in union leadership.
One can only imagine my dismay last week Friday, as I listened to More FM’s Real Talk Live over the internet, and heard the President of the Public Service Union state his intention to contest the Fox Hill seat in the upcoming general elections. Clearly this calls into question Mr. John Pinder’s ability to impartially and genuinely work in the best interest of the thousands of hard-working public servants he represents. He undoubtedly has a personal interest in long, drawn-out and hostile negotiations, as any damage to the reputation of The Public Service Minister and the Government is bound to serve his political agenda.
Such an announcement and intention can only provide us with the belief that Mr. Pinder seeks to prostitute the all-important Public Service Union in the furtherance of his own selfish and personal political objectives. When our country is faced with so many challenges and fiscal uncertainties, well-deserved public servant salary increases should not be a matter of politics. Many would wish to think that we as a nation have matured beyond that, and that at all times the national interest would prevail.
One of the more interesting things about the present negotiations is the objections of the various unions to the introduction of a merit pay system or one which will link future increases to employee performance. This is the way in which our world is moving and the way in which our country must go if we are to continue to compete in the global market place.
Many studies over the years have highlighted the low levels of productivity in The Bahamas, and it is a path we cannot continue on unless we wish to be the fault of our own economic demise. In a system in which workers were producing and performing to their capacity, a performance based system would be welcomed by unions as it would serve as a basis to justify future increases in salaries and benefits. In this day and time, why should someone who comes to work and produces, be given the same incremental increases as others who are hardly in office and fail to perform?
It is high time that unionists place the national interest above any personal interest or objectives they may have. With the skyrocketing price of fuel, electricity charges are escalating with every payment cycle and inevitably it will be the Bahamian consumers who will have to further bear the burden of increased benefits and salaries awarded to BEC workers. Many investors and local business persons are catching hell because of the high cost of utilities in The Bahamas, with electricity serving as the number one culprit. For the most part utility expenses make it difficult for many local companies to compete internationally and even locally without some degree of protectionism. Further these costs lay at the foundation of the high cost of living in the Bahamas and the fact that we are a high-priced, and arguably overpriced, tourist destination. It is imperative that Unions consider the impact of their proposals on the consumers and the economy at large. Failing to do so may equate to cutting of your nose to spite your face.
Any time I hear a discussion of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, I often think back to their last round of negotiations several years ago.
A union officer appeared on one of the talk shows and what she said amazed most sensible thinking Bahamians. She had the nerve to agree with the talk show host that many workers at BEC do not have much to do but blamed management for not providing sufficient work. I am aware that there are many hard working Bahamians at BEC, in fact I know quite a few personally, however such comments, true or not. linger in the minds of Bahamians for years and leave many unsympathetic to the unions negotiating position.
As an economist, I would be remiss if I did not mention that the salary proposals put forward by the teachers union and the Public Service Union, in their present form are bound to have a long-term and harmful effect on the national economy. Such sudden shocks to the economy will undoubtedly have an inflationary impact resulting in a general rise in prices at a time when Bahamians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living as it is.
In light of Hurricane Wilma and our various economic challenges, the country can ill afford not to have mutually satisfactory solutions to the various labour disputes that provide wellﾖdeserved increases and benefits to civil servants and teachers and that are sufficiently moderate to ensure continued fiscal prudence by the Government on behalf of the people of The Bahamas.
I encourage union leaders to negotiate in good faith and with the national interest at heart. Those leaders who are involved in the post Hurricane Wilma efforts are indeed showing the kind of leadership and spirit that the 21st Century Bahamas requires of trade unions. There is a continued role for unions in The Bahamas, as they represent our nation’s and the economy’s most valuable asset ﾖ our workers. Responsible leadership is the key however.
I implore you to consider your children and my generation, who will be forced in perpetuity to pay for the demands and request that you make and that are acceded to. The decisions you make today will affect the welfare and economy of The Bahamas tomorrow and for years to come!
By: Andrew Edwards as published in The Nassau Guardian
