The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribuneemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC) has thrown its support behind the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) in its trade dispute with Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), accusing the utility of breaching its industrial agreement by unilaterally introducing an overtime policy.

Belinda Wilson, president of the BNATUC, said the labour body stands in support of BEWU president Kyle Wilson and the union as it challenges BPL’s handling of overtime.

The dispute was filed with the Department of Labour after BEWU objected to BPL’s implementation of a new overtime policy, which the union has argued was introduced without consultation.

Mrs Wilson said the terms and conditions of an industrial agreement must be respected by both employers and employees, and argued that BPL cannot introduce a new policy affecting workers without first consulting the union.

“The terms and conditions of an industrial agreement must be adhered to by both parties, the employer and the employees,” she said.

“So, BPL does not have the authority to unilaterally implement a new policy, be it for overtime or any other policy, without consultation with the union.”

The dispute comes as BPL has raised concerns about its overtime costs, with the utility putting the annual bill at around $20m. BEWU has challenged BPL’s approach to overtime and accused management of using the issue to pressure workers amid the transition to Bahamas Grid Company.

BPL has also faced criticism from the union over the disclosure of individual employee salary information during the dispute.

Mrs Wilson condemned the disclosure, questioning whether it was intended to pressure BPL workers or BEWU.

“It is atrocious that employees’ personal and private salaries and emoluments have been leaked to the public,” she said. “But is it in an effort to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or pressure the workers at BPL, or are you trying to pressure the BEWU at BPL?”

She said the wider labour movement would not stand by while what she described as “underhanded tactics” went unchallenged.

“Well, as fellow trade unionists and workers in this country, we refuse to stand by idly and allow these underhanded tactics to go unchallenged,” said Mrs Wilson.

The BNATUC has nine affiliates, including the Bahamas Public Service Union, Bahamas Union of Teachers, Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union, Bahamas Financial Services Union, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union, Bahamas Livery Drivers Union, Abaco Taxi Drivers & Allied Workers Union, Police Staff Association and Correctional Officers Staff Association.

Mrs Wilson, who was returned unopposed as BNATUC president, called on BPL to stop the disputed policy and return to discussions with BEWU.

“We call upon BPL to cease and desist from breaching the industrial agreement, but instead consult with the president and get to the table with the president and his executive team to devise a plan for overtime together,” she said.

The BNATUC’s intervention adds the wider trade union movement’s backing to BEWU as the dispute over BPL’s overtime policy moves through the labour dispute process.