Growing disgust and discontent with reckless and irresponsible union leaders has caused some Bahamians to refer to them as “terrorists”.
“They are nothing but terrorists,” said a man who identified himself as “Paul”, when asked about union threats of a general strike.
Indeed, many Bahamians are tired of threats from selfish union leaders who have their own political agendas.
It appears that some union leaders want to follow in the footsteps of Shane Gibson, a former union leader who found an even better way to enrich himself at the expense of others… he became a politician.
As unions leaders try to whip their membership into a frenzy over the sale of BTC to Cable & Wireless, more and more Bahamians are starting to view the unions as a threat to the development of The Bahamas.
Even the Minister of National Security, Tommy Turnquest has said that the unions have become a national security threat.
Of course, trade union leaders do not share that view as they try to jockey their way into politics.
According to the Nassau Guardian, Mr Turnquest said that both the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) are on alert for any signs of a “threat” as a result of the sale of BTC to CWC.
When asked if the unions’ fight against the sale of BTC to the foreign-owned telecommunications company represented a national threat, Turnquest said simply, “Absolutely!”
Concerned with the growing tension emanating from the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU), the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) and other unions that oppose the sale, Turnquest said, “we have to maintain the development of The Bahamas and the national security of The Bahamas.”
More than once, union leaders have hinted at a possible general strike if the government does not quash the controversial sale.
A general strike would cripple the nation economically at a time when the economy is already on life support.
However, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has made it very clear that he will not let the unions tell him what to do, or how to run the country.
Besides, a national strike would only turn more Bahamians, many who support the sale of BTC to C&W, against the unions.
How do you feel about the union threat of a general strike? Please comment below.
