Bannister says he won’t meet with WSC unions

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister said that he will not meet with union leaders from the Water and Sewerage Corporation because they decided to take “industrial action” before meeting with him.

Members of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) and the Water and Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) are on work to rule because, among other things, WSC deferred this year’s Christmas bonuses.

BUSAWU President Dwayne Woods had said the unions were expected to meet with Bannister last Thursday.

Bannister said he didn’t meet with the unions.

“All of us have been through this pandemic with the lockdowns and everything this year. In my constituency, Carmichael, which is a middle-class community, there are people who don’t have food, all over this island,” Bannister said on Friday following the opening of the Newton Cay Bridge and Monument Road on Long Island.

“I would’ve thought that any union that has mature leadership would’ve understood that, would’ve called their members together and said, ‘Listen, this is a national effort, let’s do something for The Bahamas. Let’s do something for Bahamians. This is Christmas time. Let’s make a difference in the lives of Bahamians.’

“But, don’t come to me and say that you want to meet with me and then you call industrial action. That makes no sense.

“I hope that the leadership of those unions will get their members together and say, ‘Listen, let’s take a collection together. Let’s go into some communities in our country. Let’s make a difference in the lives of some children and some people who may not be able to eat this Christmas and let’s talk about a Christmas bonus afterwards when there’s some money in the country.’ 

“So, no, I’m not going to meet with anybody who calls industrial action before I meet with them.” 

Woods deferred comment yesterday.

Last week, Woods said that nearly 300 members of BUSAWU had withdrawn “their enthusiasm” and were operating under work to rule.

He said that after nearly two years of about 35 issues not being addressed by WSC’s executive team, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the deferral of Christmas bonuses, which he said totaled some $700 for each member.

WSC Manager’s Union President Ednel Rolle has said he hopes the matters concerning line staff and management are resolved by the minister responsible as the unions have no faith in the corporation’s executive team.

“All that’s been done since the injunction was granted is they [the corporation] rolled back benefits,” Rolle said.

“This is basically our work to rule. We’re not doing anything extra until we meet with the minister.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/bannister-says-he-wont-meet-with-wsc-unions/