By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
GOVERNMENT negotiations with the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union over sick leave benefits will seek to remove the practice of “double dipping”, Works Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed yesterday.
In clarifying the government’s official position on the matter, Mr Davis said the outcome of discussions will set a precedent for the entire public service, all of whom were said to have engaged in the long standing practice.
Although BEC employees on sick leave will still be allowed to collect both National Insurance and a full salary until the matter is resolved, Mr Davis explained that the government was in talks with the BEWU to align practices with the law.
Despite staunch opposition to proposed changes expressed by union leaders to the press, Mr Davis said he was optimistic that a resolution on the matter was forthcoming.
“The (government’s) position,” he said, “is what the law is, as an employer once I am paying your National Insurance, which I pay a part of, I should only pay a certain amount of your salary when you’re on sick leave and that’s all I’d be entitled to do.”
“First of all,” he said, “BEC’s staff are not the only group of workers that are benefitting in this way, the whole public service is. It has been highlighted by the BEC issue, but this impacts a number of the other corporations and the public service.
“The resolution, I trust, will be what is echoed on both sides, and we hope to discuss that and let them know,” he said.
Controversy over sick leave benefits at the corporation began last month after it was announced that BEC employees will no longer be allowed to “double-dip” by collecting both NIB and their full salary, beginning November 1.
BEC Chairman Leslie Miller issued a corporation-wide memo telling staff they will no longer be allowed to collect from National Insurance for certain benefits, such as sick benefit, while being paid a full salary by BEC.
What followed was a bitter war of words between Mr Miller and BEWU president Stephano Greene, who pledged that the union would take legal or industrial action if the changes were implemented.
BEC’s management union threatened that power generation could be cut if demands were not met.
As tensions escalated, Mr Miller was also threatened personally by the BEWU president, who warned the union would start representing employees of Mr Miller’s private businesses – forcing Mr Miller to deal with the BEWU in order to make his own living.
Mr Miller claimed moral high-ground, denouncing the ability of BEC workers to collect nearly double their salary while the general public continues to struggle with unemployment and a high cost of living.
The BEC chairman also lashed out at Mr Greene, warning that the BEWU leader could lose his job if he continued to insults him, or took part in industrial action.
Both sides claimed that they had the full support of the government.
Earlier this month, Mr Davis defended Bahamas Electricity Corporation chairman Leslie Miller as the battle waged between unions and executive management over benefits.
Although he admitted the practice of “double-dipping” by public servants has been a challenge at the National Insurance Board for more than a decade, Mr Davis underscored that the proper procedures must be followed.
Last week, Labour Minister Shane Gibson explained that unilateral changes to policy regarding sick leave benefits at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation would be in breach of labour laws.
Mr Gibson explained that no employer can alter a long-standing written or verbal contract without consultation.
Yesterday, Mr Davis said: “There’s always a way to do things, and sometimes process has a tendency of distracting from the substance of what has to be done as a result. It’s desirable that one pays attention to process.
“I think had it not been for the fiscal conditions we find ourselves in this issue may not have arisen. Now that our finances, our fiscal health, are being anxiously scrutinized this is a matter that came up.
“I think,” he added, “the unions are sensitive to what’s happening in the economy. I’m satisfied after having spoken to them that they understand the fiscal challenges that the government and the corporations have. I think they will be willing to sit and work out something acceptable to all of us.”
Comments
bahamianborn 10 years, 5 months ago
More good news! ALL civil servents double-dipping. And they wonder why the country is in debt. Worse yet, the government expects honest hard-working private businesses to pay more so they can continue to overpay! Doesn't anyone running this country see anything wrong with all this?
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 5 months ago
Talks!!! Change the friggin system. Just do it. if they go on strike, FIRE THEM.
For Christ's sake please start to govern!!!!
Reality_Check 10 years, 5 months ago
The question to be put to Brave Davis and other political wimpees:
Why is government now promising to give a base pay increase to all government corporation and public service "double dippers" so that they are no worse off than they were while ripping off the taxpayers of this country for so many years?
I can hear Brave telling the union employees: "This is a win for you union folks, cause your base pay is now going to go up!"
These imbeciles don't know how to stop stealing and really have no sense whatsoever of right versus wrong. AND TO THINK THEY COME TO US CUP IN HAND WANTING TO INCREASE OUR TAXES......TELL EVERY DAM_N ONE OF THESE CROOKED POLITICIANS TO GO FLY A KITE OR BETTER STILL, SIT ON THEIR LONGEST FINGER UNTIL IT HURTS BUT GOOD!!!!!!!
B_I_D___ 10 years, 5 months ago
I truly hope this is NOT one of the tracts they are taking in negotiations!!
hj 10 years, 5 months ago
as Bahamianborn says "more good news" everyone is doing it. Therefore prepare to pay more taxes because we can't upset the unions. After all we need the votes.
croberts6969 10 years, 5 months ago
Isn't Brave Davis a lawyer? If you have a contract with an unlawful provision it cannot and should not be enforced. That is law.
nassaudaddy 10 years, 5 months ago
The problem with all of Brave Davis and the rest of the thieves up there is that they enjoy screwing the Bahamian people so much that they would sell their souls in order to stay in power. Almost all of the population see wrong in these conniving people taking double money from the Government and the ones we put in power is so interested in helping their own causes (Bank Accounts) that they're willing to do anything to facilitate their own evil ways. I wonder what their mothers think of them looking down from above. Shame, Shame, Shame they're crying.
pablojay 10 years, 5 months ago
Leslie says that he will stop it, Shane says that you can't stop it,Brave says that he will negotiate to stop it . Wow !! I wonder what Perry says ! Probably all 3 of the above.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 5 months ago
Pablojay, Perry says " I don't know nothing about it, plus I'm tired", coming soon in a future interview...
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
“I think had it not been for the fiscal conditions we find ourselves in this issue may not have arisen. Now that our finances, our fiscal health, are being anxiously scrutinized this is a matter that came up."
WHY WHY WHY WHY have we been punished with these people? Please Lord I am crying out to you, raise us up a just Leader to take us out of this wilderness. Release us from this circular 40yr prison.
Successive administrations FNM, PLP and poor harangued Leslie Miller is the first man to notice something was wrong? What was Brave doing when he was there? What was Phenton doing? What's going on at the other corporations that we don't know about? Remove Leslie from BEC immediately put him in charge of the new Operational Efficiency arm of the govt, have then all answerable to him. He seems the be the only one in the government with some concept of how a corporation should be run. But read him the ethics guidelines as well he shouldn't profit (side contracts and commercial rentals) from his position. (Might also be a good idea to give him an HR advisor someone he can get along with)
and for God's sake ask those NIB "forensic auditors" for our money back!! And don't award them another audit contract with my money.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
BEWU I'd have an early election if I were you. Based on Brave's comments in this article, Stephano Greene can neither understand written communication ("nib is medical insurance") or verbal communication ("this is a victory..they didn't want to pick on us")
Now Mr Davis, what is our timeline to rectify this issue? How will you keep the public informed? Going forward , how will you ensure that people aren't collecting double pay? Will you send employers a list of all employees who've claimed sickness benefit for the month? I really don't know why we have to apologize for what yourself, Leslie and Shane have all stated is the law of the land. If this were any private citizen the NIB investigators would be hot on their trail, phone calls every other day, court dates all in an effort to get their money back.
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