Trade unionists were marshalling their forces yesterday for today’s mass demonstration in Parliament Square, a move aimed at pressuring the government to address a number of key labour issues.
However, the Department of Public Service yesterday warned employees of government departments and agencies that those civil servants who participate in the protest will have their salaries cut.
Meanwhile, Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President John Pinder called an emergency meeting at the union’s hall on East Street South last night to brief union members on the action planned for today.
According to Mr. Pinder, thousands of civil servants were expected to turn out to protest what they feel is the inordinate amount of time the government has taken to resolve a number of outstanding issues.
BPSU officials are still trying to negotiate a new industrial agreement for civil servants.
The BPSU is demanding a salary increase for each public servant of $1,800 a year, which amounts to an additional $150 per month. Mr. Pinder had anticipated that the salary negotiations would be concluded by October, but government negotiators have said that the deadline was not realistic.
According to Mr. Pinder, that is only one of several issues the government has so far failed to address.
“The Airport Authority staff have had salary anomalies owed to them for about two years or so now,” he said. “And we haven’t gotten that matter resolved as yet. We still have a number of members waiting to receive hazardous pay, risk allowance, etc.
“We have a number of members who are still struggling to be established and there was an agreement made that persons under the past administration who were working as part-time workers ought to have been established.”
The BPSU is not the only union expected to take part in the demonstration.
“You will certainly see people reacting to the stalemate caused at the Morton Salt and workers in general responding to the failure of the Minister of Labour to grant recognition on a timely basis as well as his failure to prosecute employers who have not negotiated in good faith,” said Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress.
“You will also see casino workers responding to the failure by the Minister to conduct a poll for them, the retired police pensioners, the vendors, etc. So, generally I think people will all sorts of problems will be out supporting the workers because once one worker is hurt, all are hurt-Some workers are even willing to fly in from the Family Islands to show their displeasure. So workers and their leaders are very disappointed to the extent that we will do what we have to do.”
President of the National Congress of Trade Unions Pat Bain has also demanded that the government act speedily to address outstanding industrial issues.
Mr. Bain cautioned the government not to take the issues lightly.
He said the NCTU has demonstrated its commitment to working with stakeholders to maintain a cordial relationship, however it firmly believes that the government is not placing enough attention on national industrial relations.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
