Hundreds of workers of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation reportedly returned to work yesterday after taking part in a sickout on Friday that inconvenienced customers across the country. Residents throughout Abaco also suffered intermittent power cuts on Friday.
In the latest round of ongoing tensions between the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) and BEC executives, workers were on work to rule yesterday, meaning that they were operating on a level of reduced enthusiasm and refusing to work overtime.
This most recent development came after an estimated 800 union members called in sick, leaving managers to operate the Clifton Pier plant, where there were not enough workers to run the entire facility, resulting in intermittent power cuts, the Bahama Journal learnt.
At the Big Pond power plant, managers also reportedly manned cashier windows on Friday and some customers claimed they waited more than two hours to be served.
According to BEWU President Dennis Williams, the union wants BEC’s management to agree to an acceptable formula for a merit pay system, improvements to the workers’ pension plan and an adjustment of working hours.
BEWU members were expected to hand out flyers outlining their concerns to motorists traveling on Baillou Hill Road early today.
BEC General Manager Kevin Basden could not be reached for comment on the ongoing dispute yesterday.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
