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‘UP WAGE TO $350 - OR RISK STRIKES’: Unions agree to take vote as the call for minimum pay raise

A labour leader yesterday called for a further minimum wage hike to $350 per week by June 2024 as he revealed that multiple trade unions have agreed to each “take a strike vote”.

Union chief says: ‘Don’t encourage mediocrity’

A trade union leader says the labour movement “must not encourage mediocrity” in the workplace as he urged patience when over trying to achieve all goals in industrial negotiations.

Unions not giving up $300 minimum wage

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) president yesterday asserted that the labour movement will push for a further minimum wage increase to $300 per week once the economy has rebounded “in a strong way”.

Union leader: ‘Hot spots’ will not become eruption

A trade union leader yesterday pledged that workplace “hot spots” will not erupt into full-blow strikes or industrial action, adding: “We are working around the clock to find a happy medium.”

Atlantis owner urged: Obey Bahamas’ laws

A trade union leader yesterday urged Atlantis’ owner to “obey the laws of The Bahamas” relating to COVID-19 testing, and warned the present situation “is setting a bad precedent”.

Ferguson praises new govt’s labour relations

THE new Davis administration has already started to “put money where their mouth is” as it relates to labour relations, Trade Union Congress president Obie Ferguson said yesterday.

Lucayan’s fresh union row over seeking lay-off clarity

A trade union leader yesterday vowed “to oppose with every fibre in my body” the Grand Lucayan’s request that the Court of Appeal clarify whether employers can temporarily lay-off staff without pay.

Ministerial ‘intervention’ call as Morton Salt releases 24

The minister of labour was yesterday urged to “intervene” in the planned termination of 24 Morton Salt workers amid union complaints that the company had failed to follow the law or their industrial agreement.

Unions fearing ‘chilling effect’ if orders extend

Trade union leaders yesterday warned that any extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Orders will have “a chilling effect” on the Bahamian workforce with 60 percent of hotel union members still furloughed.

Union chief pledges ‘no public hardship’

Trade unions will “not create hardship for the Bahamian people” if they are “forced” to take industrial action over their multiple workplace grievances, a prominent leader pledged yesterday.

‘Strong possibility’ 2016 PI protest is repeated

A trade union leader yesterday said there was “a very, very strong possibility” that there will be a repeat of the 2016 protest walk over Paradise Island Bridge unless access to Cabbage Beach is resolved.

Union leader: Workers can’t afford tax rise

A trade union leader yesterday urged the government not to impose new and or increased taxes on Bahamian workers in the upcoming budget, arguing: “They cannot afford it.”

‘Almost inhuman’ to extend furlough wait

A trade union leader yesterday argued it was “almost inhuman” to expect already-furloughed workers to hold on for another three months without severance pay due to the COVID emergency’s extension.

Unions turn up the political heat

Trade unions yesterday unveiled an ambitious “wish list” of pro-labour reforms that are designed to address what one leader described as a “rudderless” industrial relations environment.

Union chief brands mandatory shot as ‘going back to 1942’

A trade union leader yesterday compared forcing Bahamian workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their continued employment to “taking us back to 1942” and the Burma Road riots.

Union chief in ‘101%’ backing for judge’s call

A trade union leader yesterday gave his “101 percent” backing to a Supreme Court judge’s call to modernise the Industrial Relations Act and take the government out of union elections.

Union chief: 'Defer' pay rises for completed industrial deals

A top union leader has suggested that organised labour defer salary and other benefit increases in exchange for employers concluding long-outstanding industrial agreements until the economy revives.

Union tensions rising on Xmas bonus cuts

A trade union leader yesterday blasted that it was "pure disrespect" for employers not to consult over cutting contractually-agreed Christmas bonuses as industrial tensions continued to rise.

Union leader urges: Avoid labour unrest at all costs

A TRADE union leader yesterday said he had informed his colleagues that industrial action in any form must be avoided until the Bahamian economy fully recovers from COVID-19.

'Hang in there', union chief tells furloughed employees

A trade union leader yesterday urged frustrated hotel employees and other furloughed workers to "hang in there" and not seek termination packages due to the difficulty many will have finding new jobs.

Union leader says Gov't approves COVID training

A trade union leader yesterday disclosed that the Government has approved a national COVID-19 training programme targeted primarily at tourism workers and all who come into contact w

Union merger 'critically urgent' for worker rights

The merger of The Bahamas’ two major trade union bodies is “critically urgent” because workers are losing hard-fought rights and benefits, a leading unionist has told Tribune Business. Obie Ferguson, head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said its

Minimum wage not on agenda - it is now: $300 a week

Trade union leaders want a minimum wage increase to between $250-$300 per week, and are pushing for the issue to be formally discussed by the National Tripartite Council.

Privy Council appeal on industrial deal 'paralysis'

A trade union leader yesterday said “within 14 days” he will seek a Privy Council hearing on a ruling that threatens to “paralyse” industrial agreements and undermine worker protections.

Lucayan managers ‘optimistic’ over payout resolution

A trade union leader yesterday said the Grand Lucayan’s managers are “optimistic” that their voluntary separation packages will be finalised shortly once the prime minister addresses their proposal.

Lucayan managers: Board ‘hellbent’ but we dropped by $1m

The Grand Lucayan is “hellbent” on using the wrong formula to calculate staff separation packages for middle managers who were yesterday said to have cut their demands “by over $1m”.

Grand Lucayan managers facing $2m payout divide

The Grand Lucayan and its management union are $2m apart on the value of voluntary separation packages, with the latter’s attorney yesterday arguing such payouts are not covered by law. Obie Ferguson, pictured, who is acting for the Bahamas Hotel Man

Unions staging 'sit in' at government departments

TRADE Union Congress President Obie Ferguson said on Wednesday that the members of several unions across the country were carrying out a “sit in” at respective government departments in a bid to pressure the government to accede to a lengthy list of demands for workers.

Ferguson: Talk is over, it’s time to take action

TRADE Union Congress President Obie Ferguson hinted yesterday that extensive labour action could occur across the country in the coming weeks, as he spearheaded the platform merger of several of the nation’s unions in their respective grievances against the Christie administration.

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