The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

A trade union executive yesterday challenged whether the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) had breached the Industrial Relations Act over a final written warning she was issued over alleged confidentiality breaches.

Natania Johnson, the Bahamas General Workers Union (BGWU)’s secretary-general, together with union president, Linda Sands, and Obie Ferguson KC, president of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), defended comments she made on Eyewitness News’ ‘Beyond The Headlines’ programme on October 30, 2025.

In a January 2, 2026, letter obtained by Tribune Business, BAIC gave Ms Johnson a “final written warning” over her appearance on the show on the basis that she allegedly disclosed internal Corporation matters deemed by the executive management and Board of Directors to be confidential.

“While the Corporation does indeed acknowledge your capacity as secretary-general of the BGWU, you are also to be reminded of your obligations as an employee of BAIC,” the letter read. “The statements made publicly were provided by you, a BAIC employee and constituted commentary on internal operations of the Corporation. As such, you remain bound by the obligations, standards of conduct and signed confidentiality agreement expectations.

“In accordance with BAIC/BGWU I.A- Article 43.5 (c) of the industrial agreement, a breach of confidentiality is classified as a major disciplinary offence which may warrant suspension without pay or dismissal.”

During their TV appearance, Ms Johnson and Ms Sands spoke to outstanding grievances including monies allegedly owed, “preferential treatment” and “cronyism”, poor communication, and a lack of consultation. They alleged mould was present in some BAIC buildings on the Family Islands, as well as other issues.

Ms Johnson said several attempts were made to meet with Darron Pickstock, the Golden Isles MP who is BAIC’s chairman, but they were unsuccessful and he “was not visible”. She added: “That was kind of our last resort in terms of sending a strong message” for outstanding matters to be addressed.

Mr Pickstock yesterday said confidentiality breaches should be addressed, but BAIC was in no way seeking to “stifle free speech”. He added that he has not been fully briefed on the matter, but said “if you do sign a confidentiality agreement, you have to abide by it”.

“I haven't had time to be fully briefed about it as yet, and so I'm sure I'm going to be briefed in a moment about it, so I can't fully speak on it, but I mean, just generally speaking, if I'm hearing you correctly, we have confidentiality agreements in place. And so, you know, to the extent that somebody breaches a confidentiality agreement that they signed, then we have to take action,” Mr Pickstock said.

“And you know, beyond that, I will obviously get into the issue more when I go back to the office, but to the extent that that was done, then that is perhaps the reason for what has happened. And so it's not a matter of, you know, trying to stifle free speech, but you have to be responsible in your commentary, especially when you sign something like the confidentiality agreement. And, again, no one has come to me. And if there is an issue that needs to be escalated to myself as the chairman of BAIC, then that should also be.”

Ms Johnson said no specifics on the breach of confidentiality, but added that during her four years with BAIC she has never been given a written or verbal warning before. The letter, signed by general manager, Troy Sampson, and assistant general manager of human resources, Deidre LaRoda, and copied to Mr Pickstock and Ms Sands, said the industrial agreement allows a penalty for dismissal or suspension “in instances of this nature” but the Board decided on a final written warning instead.

“This decision reflects the Corporation’s commitment to fairness and to providing the opportunity for corrective conduct,” it read. “Accordingly, you are hereby strongly cautioned that any further breach of confidentiality, or any conduct that constitutes violation of the industrial agreement or workplace standards, may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal.”

Ms Johnson said she sees the letter as a warning that she is no longer to speak publicly about issues impacting BAIC employees because they are considered confidential.

“So I think, in other words, they want me to determine if I'm going to operate in the capacity of just a regular employee, or if I'm going to carry out my duties as a secretary-general of the union and speak as a unified body on behalf of the people, the members of the BAIC, and that's where the issue is,” she said.

Mr Ferguson and Ms Johnson said “the directives came from the board of directors” and “the chairman [Mr Pickstock] is definitely the one who would have authorised for the letter to be issued”.

In response, Ms Johnson, in a letter obtained by Tribune Business referenced the Industrial Relations Act 45. (1). “An employer shall not intimidate or dismiss an employee, or adversely affect his employment (whether by imposition of new terms and conditions of employments; or otherwise), or alter the position of an employee to his prejudice, by reason of circumstance that the employee is (a) is an officer, delegate of member  of a trade union,” she wrote.

Ms Johnson said Mr Sampson and Ms LaRoda “have taken a previous position that the industrial agreement is not registered”, but referenced Article 43.5 (c).

She added: “This cannot be considered fairness in dealing with a principal officer of the union, and to suggest violation for carrying out her most sacred responsibility to the members of the bargaining unit. This can only be considered discrimination, statutory breach and the rule of natural justice has been fundamentally breached. It is my intention to bring this matter to the attention of the (TUC) Trade Union Congress, the body that our union is associated with, with the view of resolving it immediately.”