The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

HUNDREDS of workers in Grand Bahama marched in Friday’s Labour Day Parade, which was held for the first time in Eight Mile Rock, the largest settlement on the island.

Marching alongside workers was Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was in Freeport to attend the funeral service for Anglican Bishop for Guyana, Bahamian Rt Rev Cornell Moss.

Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville and Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement K Peter Turnquest also took part in the march, which was described as “historic”.

During the third annual Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day Parade, all of the unions under the umbrella labour organisations in the country – the National Congress of Trade Unions and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress – marched together in a show of solidarity.

Workers carried banners, and some held placards calling attention to various local and national labour issues affecting workers in the second city. The call for unionisation at the Freeport Container Port, health and safety of workers in the workplace and the industrial sector, the cessation of casual/contract workers as well as an increase in minimum wage were some of the issues highlighted.

The procession made its way at Lover’s Beach, in Hepburn Town, where various trade union leaders spoke before continuing onto Freeport.

Mr Mitchell told the gathering that the government supports Bahamian workers and is aware of concerns, especially in the industrial sector. He noted that when foreign investors come to the Bahamas, resulting in the creation of jobs, they are not doing the Bahamian people a favour. “It is an expectation and Bahamians should not have to apologise for being Bahamians in their own country,” he said.

The minister said government is aware of the plight of workers in the industrial sector and indicated that some things need to change. He also pledged that his ministry would ensure that immigration issues are adjudicated fairly and in the best interest of the Bahamian people.

Kirk Russell, president of the TUC affiliated Bahamas Managerial Hotel Association, was pleased with the turnout. “It was not only historic, but it was a true demonstration of unity,” he said, adding that when workers and unions unite, the labour movement becomes stronger. He said that a major concern in Grand Bahama is the outsourcing of permanent jobs to casual labour.

Taxi cab drivers are also calling for laws to be enforced concerning the movement of cruise passengers at Freeport Harbour, where they claim tour operators are taking the majority of their business.

The workers continued to Freeport, where a second march throughout the downtown area took place,and ended at the Bahamas Public Services Union Hall.

Quinton LaRoda, area vice president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), said that the joining together of all unions was significant. “Having a march in Eight Mile Rock was an excellent idea by the TUC affiliates; it was an historic, spirited event. We will use the two marches as a catalyst to strengthen the bonds between the unions in Grand Bahama and work collectively going forward to address the challenges we face in labour here. We have to share in this burden to lift our people up and make sure they get what they are entitled to,” he said.

While the BUT has been able to sign a new labour agreement, Mr LaRoda stressed that they are still worried about the health concerns at the Eight Mile Rock High School and hope that government addresses the issues over the summer holiday, until a new school is built in the next 18 months.

Referring to issues affecting workers in the industrial sectors, LaRoda criticised Bahamians in managerial positions at companies. “I think it is a darn shame the way workers at the container port and the shipyard have been treated by management. I think the biggest offence is that when the unions, and even the politicians to some extent, fought so hard to put Bahamians in managerial positions in this country, that those same Bahamians are more cruel to workers than the expat managers,” he said.

Ms Burrows, area vice-president of the Bahamas Communication and Public Officers Union, claims that some employers continue to treat workers like “slaves”. “Workers are barely making minimum wage and they have families to support; construction workers have no health benefits from the company they work for; security guards who have no protection and have to work long hours and on holiday, and only get regular pay. You will find that when they get sick and go to NIB to claim, many times their contribution has not been paid even though it is deducted from their salary on a regular basis,” she said.

“It is time for government to let employers know that they have to allow the workers in the Bahamas to be able to form unions without fear of retribution.” She also spoke about when businesses have closed down and have failed to compensate workers.