Claiming that talks with executives of The Bahamas Electricity Corporation on various industrial related issues have deteriorated, President of The Bahamas Electrical Utility Managerial Union Ervin Dean threatened on Thursday that a strike vote would be taken if the situation is not improved soon.
But BEC officials did not return phone calls or issue a response to the threat.
The union continues to demand back pay ﾖ although Mr. Dean would not say how much ﾖ and it wants certain vacancies in management to be filled. It is also pushing for better generators the union president said would reduce electricity costs.
Mr. Dean said talks have ceased between the Corporation and the union and the board of directors has stepped in to address the issues.
The union president said during a press conference in the parking lot of BECﾒs headquarters on Tucker Road on Thursday that the union is doing all within its powers to have concerns addressed immediately.
However, Mr. Dean expressed disappointment that the concerns are still outstanding.
He said he hopes the matters would de addressed so that a strike vote would not have to be taken.
According to Mr. Dean, negotiations have not been going as smoothly as he had hoped. However, he said he is optimistic that the union will get what it is asking for.
“Admittedly, things are not moving as quickly and as smoothly as we would like, but we do have confidence in our board of directors and we anticipate that these matters would be resolved amicably and equitably over the next few days,” Mr. Dean said. “Failing that, then we may have to add a little drama to our lives in order to encourage the speedy resolution of our concerns.”
Mr. Dean told union members gathered in the parking lot that he has been seeking to have matters cleared up that were raised by the former union administration.
“The union has a number of concerns that past president Ronnie Stevenson attempted to have resolved during his term in office. We have received a number of promises from various persons in authority (executives of the board) to have these concerns favourably addressed, but the Corporation is allowed to be insubordinate by not resolving these matters,” Mr. Dean claimed.
“Without getting into the details of our concerns, I will say that all of them involve incidences of exploitation, victimization and the unfair treatment of some of our members.”
Mr. Dean said management vacancies remain a concern.
“There are a number of management level jobs that are vacant, but these responsibilities are being performed by some of our members without the applicable pay increase,” he claimed.
“In some instances, line staff is performing some of these responsibilities for extended periods of time, again without the increase in salary. There is no known reason for these jobs not being filled, but we are advised that the board of directors has approved the filling of the various positions.”
The president said the union has attempted to address the matter involving the back pay for extra hours worked.
“We have already worked the extra time and the Corporation is liable and must pay,” Mr. Dean said.
“Prior to us signing the existing industrial agreement last year,” he told members, “your union attempted to negotiate a one-time lump sum payment in lieu of the extra hours worked. The Corporation refused the offer and indicated that the former minister would request a judicial review within 14 days of the date of the memo and if the court says pay, then they would pay.”
The president instructed the union members to return to work and be patient as the union works to have all of its concerns addressed.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
