The Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union’s chief shop stewards are accusing the ‘I Fa Justice Team’ of using the case as a stepping stone to gain power of the country’s largest labour organisation.
‘Justice Team’ leader Roy Colebrooke had filed an injunction against Pat Bain’s ‘Rainbow Team’ after it was alleged that executives took out a $5 million loan from the Bank of The Bahamas without informing its members.
It was an issue that Mr Colebrooke and his followers relied on heavily during the campaign leading up to the May 26 elections.
Now the shop stewards are accusing the union’s present leadership of abusing its power.
“We the shop stewards are concerned about our union and the way the funds are being distributed,” said Nassau Beach shop steward Stephen Burrows as he pulled his proof out of a sealed manila envelope during a noon press conference held in the front of the Wyndham Cable Beach Resort.
He alleged that the new executives had given themselves pay raises and back pay.
In one instance he alleged that an executive’s salary was raised to $800 and others received thousands of dollars for cell phones and gas allowances.
He also alleged that a top-ranking officer received $7,000 as a stipend although at the time he was not a union executive.
Mr Burrows also showed the media a letter from an attorney requesting $24,000 in legal fees.
“They don’t have the right to use our money as they feel like. It’s not theirs,” said Mr Burrows.
He said the ‘I Fa Justice Team’ campaigned hard on the issue of the missing $5 million, but more than a month later, after being elected to office, the case was withdrawn on June 29 without any explanation to its 6,000-plus membership.
A court date had been set for July 16.
Mr Colebrooke, who stood a few feet away from Mr Burrows during yesterday’s press conference, denied the stewards’ claims and explained that since his team won the elections there was no need for the union to continue the court proceedings as all files were turned over to him.
Mr Colebrooke, however, said that “As we stand here today, there is an ongoing investigative audit, and as soon as that is completed not just the membership would know but it will be public knowledge the exact state of the union.”
BHCAWU Treasurer, Basil McKenzie, said that the matter would eventually return to court “but not for information this time but to put handcuff on some people.”
A court order states that until such time as the leadership issue has been settled, Basil McKezie, Leo Douglas and Roy Colebrooke, shall be the signatories to all cheques now necessary for the normal running of business of the hotel workers union including payments of salaries, utilities, basic maintenance and professional services. In the absence of any of these officers, Anwar Taylor, Assistant Secretary General, would assume such powers.
This latest battle within the union erupted as both sides wait for the Supreme Court to determine whether the May elections were free and fair. Incumbent president Pat Bain and Mr Colebrooke were tied with 1043 votes for the presidency.
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
