The Role of The Government and Opposition in Trade Unions & Industrial Disputes in The Bahamas

The Politics of Trade Unions & Industrial Disputes in The Bahamas 

Trade Unions & Industrial Disputes – Part 2

By Apostle Cedric Moss
Nassau, The Bahamas

It was my intent to conclude my commentary on this subject today.  However, having decided to say more than I initially intended, the Lord willing, I will conclude next week.

At the time of this writing, January 12, 2004, negotiations between The Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHC) and The Bahamas Hotel Employers Association (BHEA) continue and we continue to pray that they are concluded soon in a just manner for all.

About Sickouts

I recall several weeks ago listening to the news reports covering the Bahamasair sickout, the resulting pay cuts and the protests by the union regarding those pay cuts.  I listened in sheer amazement as I heard a union official admit they staged a sickout and at the same time complained that their pay should not have been cut.  That does not add up!  Clearly, companies have the right to cut the salaries of employees who stay off from work when they (or dependents, if allowed) are not sick, even if it is one or two days for which they are not required to produce a doctors certificate evidencing their sickness.  This right to cut is especially evident when they or their representatives publicly acknowledge that a sickout was staged.

Sick days are for the specific purpose for which they are earmarked…sickness, and not for making a point to management in union negotiations or for any other purpose.  The tragedy of such actions is that workers are paid for work they did not do, adding to the company’s actual losses suffered and future losses coming from disgruntled customers as a result of the sick out.  Hopefully, that correct and courageous action of the Board of Bahamasair (to cut the pay of those involved in the sickout) will go a long way in discouraging this practice in our nation.

Sadly, many employees feel as though sick days are their entitlement, whether they are sick or not, and some ensure that they “use up” their sick days in a given year, sometimes to do things sick people can’t or shouldn’t do.

Christians & Industrial Disputes

It is reasonable to conclude that in a nation like The Bahamas, many Christians are involved in industrial disputes, on both the union and management sides.  However, whether on the side of union or management, Christians have to ensure that their allegiance is first to Christ and His Kingdom, and not the union or management constituency they are a part of or represent.  For example, Christians ought not to condone or participate in go slows, sickouts and similar practices because they misrepresent the values of the Kingdom of God.  Likewise, those who follow Christ and serve in management or on management negotiation teams should not victimize and intimidate workers or unjustly withhold fair compensation because such actions misrepresent the values of the Kingdom of God to which they owe their primary citizenship.  Christians on both sides must abstain from practices that are contrary to the Kingdom way.

Role of Government

When negotiations in some high profile industrial disputes stalemate, governments generally intervene as we are seeing in the case of BHC and BHEA.  While it is important for them to intervene, it is also important for them to speak candidly to both sides.  If in the government’s view one side is being unreasonable or unfair or if both are, it should be pointed out clearly and candidly.  Please note: I am not implying that the government is not doing this in the present dispute…I don’t know.  I state it generally because the unfortunate reality is that far too many governments wrongly pander towards workers for votes or towards powerful investors for jobs - and at times lack the courage to take the right position for fear of political fall out.

Governments are elected to lead in the country’s best interest and not their party’s best interest, even if it means offending large amounts of voters in powerful trade unions or large investor cartels.  One thing is certain: opting for the easy political road in disputes does not solve problems.  It merely defers and compounds the problem, which will have to be dealt with eventually at a higher cost.  So our prayers are with the government to lead in this matter in our national best interest.

Role of the Opposition

Clearly, this industrial dispute between BHC and BHEA is a prime example of an issue which the government and opposition should be able be bipartisan about and visibly work together on.  Sadly, this does not seem to be the case as was evidenced in the FNM’s objection to Prime Minister Christie’s public apology to President Thabo Embeki and their call for him to now apologize to the workers.  While they may be sincerely convicted about their position, it seems to me they were playing politics and seeking to curry favour with workers for obvious reasons.  That, in my view, was not helpful, especially considering the gravity of this situation.

First of all, President Embeki was in a sense the guest of all Bahamian citizens and residents, and the apology ought to have been public because the inconvenience and embarrassment were public.  I wonder if those objecting to the Prime Minister’s public apology would feel the same way if they had invited a guest to their home for a few days and one of two family members involved in a domestic dispute acted in a manner that unnecessarily inconvenienced their guest and embarrassed them.  I know I’m speculating but I think they would promptly apologize to the guest in front of those present (and further discipline the family member when the guest leaves).  Doing so would honour the guest, enable all present to know such conduct is unacceptable and hopefully ensure it does not happen again.

So, I urge the Opposition to take a bipartisan approach to the BHC and BHEA negotiations and other issues that are not political but national.

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

Trade Unions and Industrial Disputes in The Bahamas

2003 - A Year of Serious Labour Unrest in The Bahamas

Trade Unions & Industrial Disputes – Part 1

By Apostle Cedric Moss
Nassau, The Bahamas

2003 will probably go down in history as the year with the most serious labour unrest our country has seen in modern times.  While many of the 2003 disputes have been or are being resolved, at the time of this writing (January 1, 2004), the very public contract negotiations dispute between the Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHC) and the Bahamas Hotel Employers Association (BHEA) continue and the end does not seem to be in sight.

Today I offer the first of a two-part commentary on industrial disputes generally and the BHC and BHE dispute specifically.

Prefatory Remarks

I wish I did not have to preface my remarks at all but in an attempt to minimize being misunderstood, I offer the following preface.

First of all, I have not been privy to any aspect of the ongoing negotiations between BHC and BHEA nor am I aware of the points of differences and the reasoning behind the positions held on these points.  Therefore, I do not write in support of either side and as such hold a neutral position.

Concerning trade unions, as a matter of principle, I support them.  My support is not based on the fact that our constitution and laws permit them…I fundamentally support the philosophy of labourers acting corporately to represent their general welfare and interests as a necessary part of the production equation.

Similar to my support for organized labour, I support free enterprise and the right of investors to enjoy the rewards of their entrepreneurship as well as to form associations among themselves to represent their general welfare and interests.

The Greatest Concern

Of all the labour disputes, the dispute between BHC and BHEA is of greatest concern. There is a primary and simple reason for this: Our nation is highly dependent upon tourism as its economic lifeblood.  So we are all affected, perhaps not immediately but certainly inevitably, by how things go in the hospitality industry.  Therefore, the negotiators for both BHC and BHEA must see their stewardship beyond the immediate constituencies they represent and be conscious of the welfare of Bahamians in general as they adopt positions.

The Strike Vote

Recently, BHC members voted to strike but according to press reports, only 17% of the union members eligible to vote actually voted.  Obviously our laws allow for a simple majority of those who vote to determine whether a union will be certified to initiate strike action or not.  In this regard, I do not fault Mr. Pat Bain and his leadership team for using the results of the vote: They have a legal mandate to strike.  However, like many others, while recognizing the legal right to strike, I question whether 17% provides a moral mandate to strike.  In addition, I believe the results raise some other important questions related to the 87% of persons who, for whatever reasons, did not participate in the vote.  Is it that they are contented with their present employment conditions and voted by not voting?  Is it that they are indifferent?

The Infamous Go Slow

I share the view of many that the decision to call for a go-slow during the state visit of President Thabo Embeki was a national embarrassment and poor judgment.  This is not an attack on Mr. Pat Bain and his leadership team; it is just my considered view.  I do not know Mr. Bain other than in the press and he seems to be an intelligent, informed and responsible union leader who is genuinely concerned with the welfare of his members.

However, I believe the now infamous go slow incident raises a fundamental question: Is it fair for employees to intentionally reduce their work productivity and still expect to be paid normal wages based on the usual higher productivity?  The answer of all fair-minded people is a simple but resounding no.  As such I support relevant legislation to outlaw go slows and to make clear the right of employers to cut the pay of employees who intentionally produce less than they have been contracted for and are capable of.  After all, it is only fair.

Preview of Next Week

Join me next week when I will conclude my comments by addressing the practice of sickouts by employees and stalling strategies of employers, among other things.  Until then, best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2004!

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org