The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

CUSTOMS and Immigration workers were expected to make a 'big announcement' today over the future of their ongoing strike.

Sloan Smith, vice president of the Bahamas Customs and Allied Workers Union, told The Tribune yesterday: "We will make a huge announcement at the Hawkins Hill office Tuesday. I do not want to pre-empt the announcement but let's just say everyone remembers what happened in the 1958 strike and it may just come full circle in 2012."

Several hundred customs and immigration workers went on strike last Thursday after negotiations with the government on a new industrial contract stalled again.

Mr Smith said the past few days of industrial action were small in comparison to what would come if the government did not take union demands seriously.

"We have not heard anything from the government. At this point we are beyond promises, we simply want a resolution," he added.

"We are tired. We met with the Prime Minister about a month ago and together we came up with certain positions that we both agreed on. When we got the contract we realized that there were positions advanced in it contrary to what was said and agreed upon. When they sent the document with the adjustments we took it to our attorneys and then sent it back. We got no response. That was three weeks ago. Our attorneys advised us that they were attempting to contact Minister Foulkes to get some sort of conclusion but he also did not respond. So we decided to take action, which is well within our means to do. We will shut everything down until the government takes us seriously."

However, while briefing the media in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday he had no knowledge of what the issues were, as no one had brought to his attention any matter that was outstanding or deserving of government attention. He said: "I met with customs and immigration and they left my office with an understanding. As far as I was concerned that was the end of the matter.

"All of these new things that they are now talking about are not matters that they brought to my attention. I think it is a political exercise."

The latest industrial action involves customs and immigration workers throughout the Bahamas including New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, Abaco and Bimini.

In New Providence, the strike has caused major delays at the Lynden Pindling International Airport and delayed operations at Prince George Wharf, Arawak Cay and the main customs and immigration offices on Thompson Boulevard and Hawkins Hill.

Director of Immigration Jack Thompson said despite the shortage in staff operations at the airport were now running smoothly.

"The middle mangers at the Department of Immigration have been manning the airport along with the Defence Force, who have been on rotation. As you know, the persons who were assigned to work have not been showing up. However, in the last 48 hours a few of them, mainly trainee officers and those in the lower ranks, have reported to work," he said.

"We have had no major delay and we have ensured that visitors who have booked their flights and Bahamians who are returning home go through a smooth process. The only island that has been majorly affected was Exuma and to a lesser extent Grand Bahama but we expect those issues to be resolved shortly. All and all I think we have done well and we will continue to do it as long as it is necessary."

In January, after meeting with officials of the Trade Union Congress, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes signed off on a strike vote for the BCIAWU. The certificate allowed the union to have the option to take industrial action if the government does not live up to signed industrial agreements.

Mr Foulkes was not available for comment as The Tribune went to press.