E-Petition Started: Bermudians Against Strike

August 19, 2011

An e-petition has just been started this morning [Aug.19] called ‘Bermudians Against BIU Strike Action.

The e-petition text says, “When a reporter said the majority of people seem to be against the strike, Mr Furbert said unless you talk to all Bermudians you cannot say the majority of the public is against the strike. He said, ‘Unless you can tell me that 35,000 Bermudians are against the strike, you can’t say the majority. I am not taking that.’ Some of the bus drivers present applauded his statement.”

It has been up a short while, and as of this writing has 26 signatures. One person who signed said, “Mr. Furbert – I am putting my signature towards your count of 35,000 against the strike….my children’s safety on the buses is far too important…I will continue to do my part with offering lifts and sporting my blue and pink ribbons.”

Update 11:40am: The e-petition is up to 243 signatures.

Update 12:23pm: The e-petition is up to 525 signatures.

Update 1:06pm: The e-petition is up to 776 signatures. Also to clarify due to comments made, you do not have to pay to sign the petition, nor is the petition starter asking you to. The solicitation for money on the site is part of the actual website and entirely optional.

Update 3:35pm: The e-petition is up to 1,354 signatures.

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Comments (50)

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  1. Mia in Bda says:

    Bernews, I would like to contribute to the E-Petition process, but not On-Line.
    Is there another avenue that can be used?

    • bernews says:

      Sorry, not one we are aware of. Will update if that changes…

      • Black Soil says:

        I just made a contribution with my credit card and it was simple. God bless our brothers and sistaas standing up to the criminals running the BIU.

        • WOW!! says:

          @Black Soil.. you are aware that the funds that you donated do not go to this cause but to the website that has the petition..

          • Black Soil says:

            Those that control the website are behind the cause.

  2. Ms Togetherness says:

    If Mr. Furbert really wants to see how many Bermudians are against his and the BIU’s foolishness everyone should on MONDAY drive or ride to work with their headlights on in protest. I do not know where to get these pink/blue ribbons from….

    • SML says:

      YOu can get the ribbons from Demco on South Shore Road in Devonshire.

  3. Jumpy says:

    I signed it, its up to 82 names as of 11:00am, not sure it will do anything though.

  4. Ha! says:

    If the strike is over by Monday there will be another rally. Maybe by then people will have had enough and be ready and willing to let their voices be heard.

  5. Russell Richardson says:

    Who the hell is charging to voice my opion re the strike

    • Still Trying to get it Right says:

      Mr. Richardson, you were not be charged to voice your opinion, you were being asked to donate. You were given a choice. Either choose to donate or not. It’s that simple.

  6. Still Trying to get it Right says:

    Mr. Furbert: I am signing this e-petetion because I am not in support of this strike…I have children, family and friends who use public transportion on a daily basis and I nor them should never have to worry about whether or not their driver is under the influence.

    If Ms. Harvey was prepared to take the test, why on God’s green earth would anyone tell her not to…this is ludicrous.

    Further…Mr. Furbert if the collective bargaining agreement does not allow for any other drug test than that of a urine sample…..do the right thing and CHANGE IT IMMEDIATELY.

    And finally, I am saddened to learn how many of my local brothers and sister, who support this strike, have resulted in accepting such mediocre standards.

    I AM A PROUD BERMUDIAN WITH GOOD WORK ETHIC AND HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM BEING ASKED OR TAKING A DRUG TEST….WHY? BECAUSE I KNOW I AM CLEAN.

  7. TURTLE says:

    I would like to sign , but I dont wants to donate money! for what???!!!!

    • bernews says:

      The petition should be free to sign…

      • SML says:

        ONce you sign it, it takes you to another page asking for donations and has boxes to select with a fee.

      • OOHHH LOORRDD!!! says:

        The petition is free. After signing it sends you to a page to donate but whether you do or not is up to you. You can close the window all together and your name will still be on the list.

    • Still Trying to get it Right says:

      Once the petition is signed you are advised that your signature has been recorded. Immediately following are these words:

      “We promote democracy on the Internet by helping people and organizations create online petitions like the one you just signed. We provide these services for free and rely on donations from people like you to keep the site running. Please consider donating to support us. Every donation, no matter how small, helps. Please note: Your donation will help keep iPetitions running. This is not a donation to the person or organization whose petition you just signed.”

      Please note this says that they provide the services for free and rely on donations………

      There is no charge to sign the petition as stated.

    • CB2 says:

      It is free to sign. The site asks for a donation after signing. It’s a little confusing but once you see the donation page you have signed.

    • Real Talk says:

      It’s free to sign… once that box pops up just close it out.

  8. David Minors says:

    Everyone:

    The petition is free to sign online – - the website which the organizer has used for the online petition has a way in which to donate to THE WEBSITE – - just ignore the request. Once you get to that page, your signature has already been counted – simply close that window or tab – - ok?

  9. KARMA says:

    Please look before you leap Turtle and Russell Richardson. The website says IF you WISH to donate to their FREE petitions site in order to continue it to be free YOU MAY! It does not REQUIRE YOUR MONEY TO PARTICIPATE.

  10. Cast a stone says:

    BIU you have gotten it wrong this time. Stand up for legitimate labor disputes and not workers personal ignorance of failing to comply with written regulations. This is one decision where it will not be united we stand divided we fall. It was divided from the start.

  11. Rockfish#1and#2 says:

    While the rationale behind the petition may be understandable,this dispute must be settled in the appropriate manner! Treating it like a popularity contest degrades the process and flies in the face of common sense! The key players have made their positions abundantly clear, so we should move on to the next step as soon as possible!

    • Changing Status says:

      I believe this is the only way to move onto the next step. Although he may be too stuborn to budge – this will at least prove to Mr Furbert that he is disrupting the lives of hundreds of people for one. At the end of the day its all about the numbers, because of the thus far 400 people who signed are a few people capable of taking all the striker’s positions in the workforce. Our position is abundantly clear ‘get back to work or get replaced’

    • Still Trying to get it Right says:

      Did you or did you not hear Chris Furbert state that if 35,000 signatures could be had he would drop this dispute? I’m just asking.

      • Rockfish#1and#2 says:

        @ Still Trying to get it right.
        You are proving my point. Furbert DID NOT say that, please view the video again and pay attention this time!

    • WOW!! says:

      I think the main reason for the petition is to show Chris Furbert that MOST of the country does not support this strike

  12. Accountability says:

    363 ‘signatures’ by 12pm! Come on Bermuda! At this rate we can break 1,400 by 5pm!!

    • WOWWOW says:

      12:20pm – 500 signatures!!!!!!!! lets get it!!!!!!!!

  13. dawn de toilet says:

    I signed! We need 35,000 signatures to prove to the man we are serious and we believe what he is doing wrong by allowing this strike to happen and continue. Get your famillies and friends to sigh the pettition and sooner than later.

  14. Christina says:

    I signed! Chris Furbert – hope you’re ready to drop this dispute once you get your 35, 000 petitions! Let’s go Bermuda! We can really show the BIU the meaning of “United we stand. Divided we fall” because Chris Furbert has clearly lost the meaning to that statement!!!!!!

  15. Terry says:

    You don’t need 35,000 signatures. Please be real. Whether he said it or not, it’s out there. People are playing into this fools hands. It is impossible to attain that number. Many don’t use the net. yet still have a voice.

    Never mind….ssdd…..

    • Ambitious Girl says:

      We’ve clearly reach over 35,000 signatures……

      What were you saying again Terry?

      I agree, there are more people with voices who don’t even use the net. Which makes the voice against this strike greater. Nothing wrong in fully utilising a tool such as the net to get feedback though…

  16. B, a Lady says:

    You do not get people’s attention through petitions. Rather, you get their attention through economic measures such as boycotts. Just like the BIU withholds it’s services to get attention, we the public should withold our funds to get the BIU’s attention. This means no gas from the BIU station, no movie tickets, no union dues and so on. This is a more tangible form of protest.

  17. Accountability says:

    @Terry. Indeed, but signing the petition anyway is a gesture of solidarity to what Bermudians really do stand for.

    I’m not exactly sure why Chris Fumbler would dispute that the public is OUTRAGED!! The fact that thousands of Bermudians are out of work, and this strike is CRIPPLING our tourism product should be evidence enough for him. It’s time for the Premier to weigh in and show the leadership that BIU is clearly not.

    • Terry says:

      The irony in your comments ‘Accountability is the fact that you are correct, as can be seen by the “solidarity” of Bermudians from all walks comming together in the past few days. Picking up strangers and even a few that may may your head turn.

      This is the real grass roots of Bermuda who know no barriers of race and know that even if opinions vary, we stick to survival.

      How the hell you think we have managed all these 400+ years.

      Were nothing more than a disfuntional family but as usual, when the shit hits the fan there are so many that will attend too and help in the clean up

      Lets KBB.

      Look around. Would you rather be here or Iraq, Iran, Somalia et al?

      You can run but there are forces that at times that make you wish you stood your ground. Now is the time.

      A blessed day to all and may the forbuses be with you.

  18. Triangle Drifter says:

    To all those who signed ANNONOMOUS, if Chris or Laverne see this petition thr first thing they will say is that ANON does not count. Have to agree. Go back & actually stand up & SIGN it.

    • Terry says:

      And thats what exactly they want. Notice the silence. Screw um…….ISP accounts are not annonomous…….let them tally those facts……..

      It’s all spin anyway, diversionary tactics.

      • Rockfish#2 says:

        Two persons use my computer–Rockfish#1 and Rockfish#2, same ISP.

        • Terry says:

          Well I know that just like the RG or others……..that was not my point. You know what it was.

    • the truth says:

      Yep, in fact it will likely be spun that those signing anonymously were planted by the OBA or something to that effect. You know how the political rhetoric goes around here…

      • Changing Status says:

        keep in mind that its a professional website – surely something like this has been thought of, hence why they ask you to sign your real name and email address first before you choose for it to be seen as anonymous.

  19. Terry says:

    Screw Laverne and her cousin. It’s not about them. It’s about out Heritage not theirs.

  20. Terry says:

    It’s postable..if not Facebook…..

  21. CIA says:

    You are all ex-pats and do not have a say! very soon there will not be anymore
    for you to take from bermuda, so start packing SEE YA!

    • 80s Sonesta Kid says:

      stupid…..expats do the jobs we don’t want to do or can’t do. i.e. you don’t want to wash pots and peel potatoes,police,or landscaping and you can’t do accounting, actuary, nursing, etc.

      pull your pants up around your waist and get your life straight before you go around tellin ppl to start packing

  22. Mother says:

    Just a note – unless they expect my 6 year old to sign this petition they need to change the goal to one that represents voting adults.

    I am proud to see that Bermudaians are taking a stand against this craziness.