The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Utilities Service and Allied Worker’s Union President Dwayne Woods yesterday criticised newly appointed Water and Sewerage Corporation Chairman Leslie Miller for “attacking” the union “prematurely”.

He urged Mr Miller to “allow the process of industrial harmony to take place before we get to warring”.

His comments came a day after Mr Miller told The Tribune he is “dumbfounded by the gall of unions who continue to demand the world” and believe they own the entities where their members work.

On Wednesday, Mr Miller also warned that his strong management style displayed while he was executive chairman at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation would carry over to his tenure at the government-run water provider.

He also insisted that he has no intention to wilt under the pressure from the BUSAWU to remove the corporation’s general manager, Glen Laville.

In response, Mr Woods said the union viewed Mr Miller’s recent comments as “a shot across the bow”. Mr Woods said the union was of the impression that Mr Miller “would have come in without prejudice”. But instead, it said, it appears “as though he has a beef with unions”.

However, he said the union would still “extend the arms of harmony even though he took a shot at us”.

“We view this as a shot across the bow, and will not be moved by a warning shot and bullying tactics,” Mr Woods said.

“We were under the impression, and still are, that the newly-appointed chairman was coming to work on a common goal, which is the objective of the government with the union. We thought the newly-appointed chairman would have come in without prejudice, but it appears as though he has a beef with unions.

“We would like to say that he should not prejudge us and allow the process of industrial harmony to take place before we get to warring. It is too early for this. In fact, it is premature. But we extend the arms of harmony to him even though he took the shot at us.”

He added: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Miller publicly, as we look forward to working with him in the very near future through wisdom.”

Last month, dozens of workers at WSC protested outside the corporation’s Thompson Boulevard office demanding Mr Laville’s removal.

At that time, employees threatened to “withdraw their services” if their demands were not met immediately, claiming that Mr Laville was operating as judge, jury and executioner at the corporation.

On Wednesday, Mr Miller told The Tribune that he would not pay attention to those advocating for such a move, adding that anyone that has taken the time to check circumstances at the corporation would view the recent claims as a union ploy.

Moreover, Mr Miller lamented what he suggested is a similar pattern in the way unions conduct their affairs.

“The unions always want to dictate and tell management what to do, it amazes me, the mentality that I have seen thus far with the workers at Water and Sewerage and the workers at BEC – they’re identical, they believe that they are the owners,” Mr Miller said. “The people are the owners and I am very strong on that.”

However, Mr Woods yesterday cautioned Mr Miller not to jump the gun in assessing the union.

“The first step ain’t war man,” Mr Woods said. “The first step is to get along, and then as the cases come we look at them for what merit it is worth. But when you get out there and you blatantly attack unions before you meet them, that’s a sad day in the workplace.”

Mr Miller said he received his official letter of appointment to WSC’s board this week.