The public is advised that a meeting was held last evening under the auspices of the Minister of Labour & Immigration with the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU).  In attendance at the meeting was Mr. Reginald Forbes whom the union advised in writing, was their lead spokesman consultant and advisor instead of the officers of the umbrella National Congress of Trade Unions of which the BEWU is a member.

Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s Union representation included, President Williams, Secretary General Patricia Johnson and Mr. Brandon Burrows of the Bahamas Electrical Utility Managerial Union (BECUMU).   Observers were: Mr. Frank Carter, 1st Vice President of the National Congress of Trade Unions; President of the Airport, Airlines & Allied Workers Union, Ms. Nelerne Harding; Under Secretary, Mr. Calvin Balfour and Mr. Harcourt Brown, The Director of Labour.

The union’s original demands were outlined in three letters dated 5th February, 2004:  One coming from Mr. Williams the President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU),  a second from Mr. Timothy Moore, President of The Bahamas Electricity Utility Managerial Union (BEUMU) and a third signed by both Presidents.  A fourth hand-written letter dated 8 February, 2004 was also submitted under the signatures of the President and Secretary General of the BEWU.

The demands listed in the letter of 8th February 2004 are as follows:

* The reinstatement of Mr. Timothy Moore, with immediate effect;

* The termination of BEC’s Chairman, with immediate effect;

* The conclusion of the negotiations with respect to the unions’ Contract.

Each of the points raised were addressed as follows:
With respect to the first point, the union was informed that the Chairman had intervened on the matter and that Mr. Moore’s termination had been temporarily suspended and he was not required to report to work.  Consequently, Mr. Moore continued to receive full pay up to the present.

BEC’s management sought and obtained advice from the Attorney-General’s Office which affirmed that the Corporation was within its right to terminate Mr. Moore in his capacity as Training  Officer of BEC.  The NCTU representatives and Mr. Moore’s personal representative, Mr. Reginald Forbes, reviewed the advice of the Attorney- General’s Office.  They disagreed with the advice of the Honourable Attorney-General’s Office.  Mr. Moore’s personal representative requested that the Minister consider an ex gratia accommodation on the shortfall in Mr. Moore’s pension entitlement based on a precedent involving a former employee of BEC.   The Minister agreed but Mr. Moore’s representative wanted more.
 

On the matter of the demand to terminate  BEC’s Chairman with immediate effect this was rejected as there was no substantive evidence produced by the Union to even cause the Government to consider such a demand.
On the topic of the contract, the Minister of Labour agreed to have the negotiations concluded on or before 19th February, 2004.

As Minister, I drew to the meeting’s attention that BTC was an outstanding model where industrial harmony currently exists and the fact that there has been for some time no outstanding industrial matters at BTC.   Further, that it is my wish that BTC and BEC’s executives and Union  Executives forge  close working relations with the objective being to achieve the same program of industrial harmony as obtains in BTC.

On the topic of the outstanding contract, the Minister of Labour and I and the Executives of the Union agreed to have the negotiations concluded on or before the 19 February, 2004.

After lengthy consideration and reflection on the events of last night’s meeting, I have come to the crystal clear conclusion that the Union’s negotiator and advisor, as well as their President, Mr. Williams, may have inadvertently promoted lawlessness when:

a) They both had neglected to follow the grievance procedures as outlined in the agreement between the Union and Corporation; and

b) They have also neglected to file an industrial dispute with the Ministry of Labour & Immigration as they declared that the legal processes of the courts were too slow.

It is therefore most regrettable that the Union has chosen to adopt a course of action which in itself is illegal to bring pressure to bear on the Management, the Board of Directors and the Government.
The events currently taking place represents a significant threat to the economy of the Bahamas and is certainly not in the best interest of our Country, the Trade Union Movement, BEC employees and the Corporation.

I strongly therefore urge the Union President, its Executives and  members to immediately return to work so that we may move to amicably settle outstanding issues.