WSC defers Christmas bonus for staff

The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) is temporarily deferring the payment of Christmas bonuses to its staff this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to WSC General Manager Elwood Donaldson.

In a letter to Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) President Dwayne Woods, dated December 3, Donaldson wrote, “As you are aware, our nation is facing very difficult financial times within our current economy. The Water and Sewerage Corporation plays an integral part in the fight against COVID-19. Our services remain essential and currently given without financial conditions to ensure that the entire nation receives potable water.” 

He noted that since March, WSC has ceased its disconnection exercises.

As a result of this, it has experienced “limited cash flows and collections”, according to Donaldson.

“However, we remained steadfast and rose to the challenge,” he said.

“Notwithstanding that, we have maintained our staff complement and continued to meet monthly salary payments. This month is no different as all staff will be paid their salaries in full. Due to this current dire financial environment, we are advising that Christmas bonuses…for the year ending 2020, will be deferred until further notice.”

Donaldson said the government is making “every effort to ensure that the country remains financially viable”.

He said the deferment is “necessary” and has been signed off by the government. 

He said it applies to all employees including members of the executive committee. 

“We are assured that all payments will be made as soon as financially feasible,” Donaldson said.

“Notably, WSC is also preparing to make annual staff increment payments in January (hundreds of thousands) and will do so as scheduled.” 

Woods responded in a letter on December 3, noting that BUSAWU understood WSC’s financial situation.

“We are in disagreement with the indefinite postponement/deferment of the 2020 Christmas bonus,” he said.

“Based on our calculations, the total 2020 Christmas bonus owed to our members amounts to $210,000. Furthermore, had the union been given proper notice of the aforementioned decision, it would have been more bearable as the members would have been able to properly plan for this predicament.”

Woods said the union is unable to forego, postpone or defer the bonus payments “at this late juncture that is less than 15 days before the December 2020 pay period”.

“The Christmas bonus entitlement in accordance with the Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union and Water and Sewerage Corporation industrial agreement is a benefit that our members enjoyed historically, which they would have already budgeted for and are looking forward to receiving it, as many of them are the sole breadwinners for their family,” he said. 

“We note that article 33.03 (c) addresses the Christmas bonus accruing monthly, which means that the WSC must have budgeted for it and, if not, we alleged that amount to nothing less than mismanagement contributing to the fiasco/dilemma at hand.”

Woods added, “In closing, we would like to admonish you that your decision amounts to a unilateral variation of contract, which is a breach of the industrial agreement between BUSAWU and WSC that is binding on both parties.”  

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