President of The Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) John Pinder on Wednesday threatened another mass protest downtown as hundreds of disgruntled workers gathered in Rawson Square – as promised – protesting what they called a wide range of unresolved industrial issues.
Carrying placards and wearing T-shirts with statements like ‘no lump sum payments’ and ‘gas prices are on the rise so we need a raise’, union members chanted “solidarity forever”.
The demonstration was timed to coincide with the first meeting of the House of Assembly since members went on their summer recess. It lasted for less than an hour and police said it was a peaceful one.
“We have had no problems,” Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna said. “At the beginning, we agreed with the major leaders that the union membership would be behind the barricades and the union leaders themselves would be the ones carrying placards.
“They have been cooperating with us. Although they have been lively and jovial, they have been cooperating with us.”
The BPSU president, however, intimated that the next demonstration may become more fiery.
“We are here in good numbers and have cooperated with the police this time, so we do not want the prime minister or any other persons in parliament to believe the we are joking,” said Mr. Pinder, who was re-elected as BPSU president on Friday.
“We did it in an orderly fashion this morning, but if we have to come back, we [would] take Bay Street.”
Mr. Pinder, whose union is negotiating a new contract with the government, is demanding that each public servant get a $150 per month raise, but the government is offering lump sum payments of $1,300.
He has said this is simply unacceptable and that the workers deserve much more.
Mr. Pinder also pointed to other industrial disputes he said need the government’s attention.
“[At the Airport Authority] we have been waiting too long for the anomalies [which have been] outstanding for the last two years-As it relates to industrial agreements, we have five that we are working on now,” he said.
Mr. Pinder also threatened that if the Gaming Board’s industrial agreement is not satisfactorily completed by Friday, no casinos would be operational on Monday.
Dennis Williams, president of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, said the government is not labour friendly.
“We have the public sector workers out here in full force expressing a total dissatisfaction of industrial relations. Workers in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will not be left behind,” Mr. Williams said.
“Gas [prices are] going up. Electricity bills are going up; water bills are going. How in the hell do they expect us not to get a salary increase? We do not want any lump sums.”
President of the Airport Airline and Allied Workers Union Nelerene Harding, added, “We have to fight and steer our course. I say to us all today, let us be united and firm, especially our brothers under the National Council of Trade Unions and all the labour workers in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas today.
“It has been a long time since labour has shown solidarity as one. Whatever the issues are, it affects us all.”
Some workers, like Perry Cox, who is employed at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, were among those protesting.
“When the leaders could look at the workers and say that they do not need a salary increase we ask them which world they live in,” Mr. Cox said. “Which food store do they shop in?
“They cannot live in the same country that we live in. When politicians need a salary increase, they don’t have to demonstrate. They just give themselves an increase.
“Why [is it that] every time the workers need something, they have to come out in the hot sun and break the law? We say that if they do not want to listen to us, then we would become like Iraq and Iran.”
Ann Stubbs, a member of the BPSU, said, “Why we are here this morning is because the workers of the country are tired of lip service.”
Labour Minister Vincent Peet said recently that there is no need for alarm over the latest round of industrial tension. He said the government is working hard to address the workers’ concerns.
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
