The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

INDUSTRIAL action by Customs and Immigration officers yesterday had “very little” impact on daily operations, according to the heads of both government departments.

Some Customs and Immigration officers walked off the job around 8:30am yesterday as a part of a strike coordinated by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Officials said around half of the Immigration officers scheduled to work at the airport did not show up yesterday. It was also reported that around 50 Customs officers did not show up for their shifts.

Immigration Director William Pratt said his department had a contingency plan in place that minimised any impact the strike may have had on the essential service.

“Immigration had a contingency plan in place so we had little impact. At the main port at the Lynden Pindling International Airport we had some impact, but because of the plan we had in place we were able to operate,” he said.

“Each shift would have seen an absence of about 50 per cent or less, but we had additional officers assigned to headquarters who did not strike who we were able to redirect to LPIA, so we are coping very well. We had some trainees as well who used the (day) as a training experience, but we had seasoned officers coaching them. As it relates to the Family Islands, more than 99 per cent of persons showed up, so no impact there.”

Comptroller of Customs Charles Turner also said his department was not negatively affected and service continued as usual in New Providence and the Family Islands.

“We also had a contingency plan in place. About 45 to 50 officers reported to work then left their stations yesterday in Nassau, but we had the full support of our officers in the Family Islands,” he said.

“With respect to Freeport, 98 per cent of officers reported to work. Our plan will remain in place for as long as we need it. As you know Customs is responsible for providing services to the public and we made sure they had efficient service.”

Sloane Smith, vice president of the Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union, said after several failed meetings with the government, his members “have had enough” and “no Customs or Immigration officer will return to work, until their demands are met”.

The strike began and 8:30am Wednesday.

TUC president Obie Ferguson said yesterday’s strike is just a “taste” of what is to come. However, yesterday afternoon the government received an injunction from the Supreme Court ordering the employees to return to work.