BIU Negotiations Update: Pay & Overtime
BIU President Chris Furbert held a press conference today [June 1] to report on the current state of negotiations between the BIU and the Bermuda Government.
After meeting with almost 500 members this morning, BIU President Chris Furbert said they were willing to accept an increase of approximately 1.55% increase [around $16 a week for most workers], as well as agreed to work overtime for straight time pay, with the understanding they would not have to pay payroll tax on the additional hours worked.
Mr Furbert said he also proposed a second plan to Government negotiators, but declined to give further details.
The PLP will accept this, because they don’t want to lose any votes in the upcoming election. The PLP knows that by doing whatever it takes to keep the unions happy will give them the best chance to win an election, even if it’s not in Bermuda’s best interest. Plus, MP’s won’t have to take a pay cut either.
“were willing to accept an increase of approximately 1.55% ….with the understanding they would not have to pay payroll tax on the additional hours worked.”
This is not fair. Why should these workers be exempt from paying payroll tax on certain portions of their income.
My employer did not give me a salary increase, in fact, my wage was cut. Can I also receive an exemption from payroll tax on my overtime pay?
This is sad, everyone knows payroll tax and customs is the maing revenue for government and yes they poorly managed money under previous administrations, however the country needs every penny it can get to make sure we are paying off that debt we owe to the oversees banks. We need to hold government accountable that and stop nickel and diming. Right now the BIU should be happy in even having overtime, our Carribbean counterparts are cutting back work weeks with the motto of all suffer a little for the good of the country. This exemption request of payroll tax is selfish…just like the recent BPSU negotions: SELFISH. I’m a union employee and said that!
I’d agree with one minor correction. It was not “previous administrations” that poorly managed money. It was the current administration. After all the same people are running the show and the same person holds the office of Minister of Finance.
@relevant
Your statement concerns me just a little. I believe everyone is forgetting a very small aspect of this situation – the BIU has “suggested” to the Gov the idea of the payroll tax exemption – GOV HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DENY IT.
Everyone is on this blog talking like it is a done deal when it is not – yet. I am not a member of the BIU – I just know a little about negotiations. The BIU has “requested” the payroll tax exemption and are willing to accept the 1.55% – what’s wrong with that? The question everyone on this thread SHOULD BE ASKING IS THIS – Why when the BPSU offered a wage freeze, your Govt REJECTED that offer? The BPSU membership was willing to SAVE Govt MILLIONS in wage increases, but why would Govt INSIST that they take that 1.25% increase? I will tell you why –
Govt does not want to have to come back next year with the concept of the Unions taking a cut or freeze as it puts them in a weaker position of power at the negotiation table – nothing more. This is about control – plain and simple.
The BPSU took a stand to show Govt that people in this country are hurting, but are willing to work with Govt to solve the problem; however, they were attacked by the community as being selfish, spoiled and lazy. It is a sad state of affairs when principle is overshadowed by the need for control. Think about that for a second . . .
My point is this – If the Govt agrees to this “request” from the BIU, then you have a clear indication of where the Govt stands. If not, and if it so moves you, vote for them in the next general election. Either way, wait until they actually make a decision before you assume.
Yng Black Mind (those who know understand)
Beyond unfair, but I understand it’s 100% about voter retention and saying YES to all of Brother Furberts demands.
We all should be afraid of what they gon’ do next!
On to the next one.
A dangerous precedent. What is good for the goose is good for the gander!
I am just so tired of all the BIU mess and the BPSU may I add. Some of us have lost our jobs through redundancies and cutbacks and Mr Furbert makes demands like no payroll tax and a 1.55% raise. If all workers get that raise what do you think it will amount to for the year anyway. Maybe you should try making them do some work instead on on their cell phones. Chatting constantly, outsick at every moment, and dont let me forget friday long lunch hours and drinking . The supervisors need a kick in the butt and management need to manage. But I guess if they do The Biu and Bpsu will defend the slack workers.
Do the math…
F+F =F+F
The “F’s” are running Union and also the voice of the Union.
Ironoically if you arrive or depart from the local airfield it is called “LFW”.
Think about it.
Some peeple vil nawar lurn det if yoo nawa lawern……….
Anyvey…F-riends/Family =FF……..forget it….Tomorrow is “F” day rite?
This furbert is a parasite. As long as the government workers get their rise at the expense of every can’t else.
If Government agrees to this they just enable the situation. If you don’t understand then look up the word ‘enable’. When will this madness end ???? There’s no money left! PLP spent it all – and you are ‘settling’ for 1.5% and you want no payroll tax on OT? What the F makes you people so special? The rest of us have lost our jobs, had salary reductions. You fricking people amaze me.
When will it end????
Its’ very difficult to buy a loaf of bread for less than $5 . Now if your salary was over $100’000 that $5,s twice a week would be inconsequential , however , for these man and woman that loaf of bread is getting more and more difficult to obtain . Nice compromise .
There are folks less vulnerable than BIU workers that need payrool exemption more than the BIU. If you don’t have the cert or other degrees, make the bread…don’t buy it. Folks must live with the cards they have, not cut off their nose to spite their face.
Guess I shouldn’t expect anything more from a Cog government – no backbone! As has been pointed out, many are taking pay cuts just to keep their jobs but I guess union fat cats are special and deserve raises every year and when those raises are unsatisfactory (in their eyes), they don’t need to pay payroll tax on the increase. Most of these people are doing a mediocre (at best) job but because Brutha Furbert is the true Premier of Bermuda, his demands are catered to. Well done Cog government!
All hail Prime Minister Brother Chris!
Laws will have to be changed to accommodate this request. In addition, the law must be worded to stop other people not deducting payroll tax in similar situations – this is blatantly unfair but would have to be part of the deal. I believe if Government accepts this, it will be a very slippery slope and it will cost more to implement, than the money they save through the non payment of OT. But then perhaps that is BIU’s intention – to show who is in charge in Bermuda and to once again bring the country to its knees.
It is unprecedented I believe. A government waiving its tax rights on a certain group of people for political end. I am sure a legal case could be brought (in the real world) but of course in Bermuda this is just par for the course. It is just bizarre. The purpose of restricting any raise is to increase Government cash flow (which comes from taxes). If you increase, then drop the tax, you are, umum, one step back?
Can anyone count up there?