The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Urban Renewal workers on Grand Bahama are threatening to walk off the job and strike, according to alleged reports reaching The Tribune.

A worker, who wished to remain anonymous, called our Tribune office on Monday about pressing matters concerning urban renewal workers at the various centers throughout the island.

The worker claims that unpaid salaries are a major issue, and that some persons have not been paid for several months.

“We were told by the Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville that we would be paid on Friday, but we are still waiting,” the worker said.

The Tribune attempted to reach Dr Darville, but was told that he was in an important meeting. When we called again, we were told that he had left the office to attend an urgent meeting elsewhere.

Michelle Reckley, deputy director of Urban Renewal 2.0 on Grand Bahama, was also contacted for comments on Monday, but did not return a call up to press t time.

There are also reports that the staff is allegedly being made to wear yellow, which is a color associated with the PLP party.

“Workers are being intimidated,” claimed the worker.

There was also issue concerning a possible “conflict of interest” regarding the hiring of two sisters who are posted at two different centers.

According to the worker, government vehicles designated for urban renewal work are being used for personal purposes.

“The vehicles are being used as private vehicles to pick children up from school,” the worker complained.

The worker also claims that the vehicle assigned to the urban renewal office in East End has been down for sometime.

The worker was also concerned that individuals who are not sworn to secrecy were obtaining information from the public during assessments.