BIU Calls Meeting: Service Disruptions Expected

May 31, 2012

[Updated] There will be disruptions to public transportation services, postal delivery, waste management and more tomorrow morning [June 1] due to an “urgent” meeting of the BIU General Membership. The Transport Ministry said it is anticipated that the meeting will last for two hours.

The Bermuda Industrial Union has called the General Membership Meeting for tomorrow morning at 8am at BIU Headquarters. The flyer said the agenda is, “Employers attack on Trade Union Rights. Threat of KFC job losses tomorrow. Who’s next?”

A Ministry spokesperson said, “The public is advised that due to a general meeting being called by the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) for tomorrow morning – June 1, 2012 at 8.00 a.m., there will be disruptions to public transportation services as well as other public services such as postal delivery, waste management among others. It is anticipated that the meeting will last for two hours.

Update 5.52pm: A Transport Ministry spokesperson said only the following commuter ferry services will operate tomorrow morning prior to the BIU meeting:

  • Hamilton – Rockaway: 6:50am, 7:20am
  • Hamilton – Cavello Bay: 6:50am, 7:10am
  • Hamilton – Watford Bridge: 6:50am, 7:10am
  • Hamilton – Belmont – Darrell’s Wharf – Salt Kettle: 7:00am, 7:15am, 7:20am, 7:24am

Update 6.47pm: The BIU released a statement saying the reason for the urgent General Membership Meeting tomorrow morning is “because the BIU’s attempts on behalf of the KFC workers to resolve the dispute with the management of KFC concerning their terms and conditions of employment have broken down.”

“The BIU has, in good faith, abided by the law, submitted to arbitration and lifted its boycott in accordance with the request of the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry,” said a statement from the Union.

Meanwhile, the jobs, and terms and conditions of employment of the KFC workers are under daily attack as set out below”.”

The full list of points from the Union is below:

  • 1. On May 3, 2012 we received a document that stated that the dispute was referred to arbitration and that it would be gazetted in the following Friday’s newspaper.
  • 2. On May 9, 2012 a letter from the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry was sent to both parties asking them to submit terms of reference and a nominee for the tribunal with a deadline of May 15, 2012. KFC have said that they “never agreed” to settle this dispute via arbitration. In fact, not only did KFC agree to arbitration, following the referral of the matter by the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry, KFC nominated Mr. Gary Maderios as their member of the tribunal.
  • 3. After both parties agreed to submit to arbitration in accordance with the Minister’s request of May 9, 2012 the KFC management on May 17, 2012 and May 18, 2012 issued a number of documents to all staff requiring them to sign before June 1, 2012 which would transfer their employment to KFCO as new company containing terms which were both different and less favourable than those previously enjoyed by KFC workers in their contracts of employment.
  • 4. On May 22, 2012 the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry sent out documents confirming the terms of reference for the tribunal.
  • 5. Following receipt of the letter from the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry dated 22 May 2012 in which she confirmed the reference to arbitration and requested that “both parties act in good faith and both desist from taking any further action pending the decision of the arbitrators for the sake of good industrial relations and in accordance with the spirit of the legislation”. The BIU, as an act of good faith, and within hours of receipt of that letter called off its boycott of KFC.
  • 6. On May 23, 2012 KFC Bermuda took out a writ in the Supreme Court for a leave to judicially review the Minister of Economy Trade and Industry’s decision. The Minster is named as the as the first respondent and the Bermuda Industrial Union as the second respondent.
  • 7. On 25 May 2012 Chief Justice Ian Kawaley signed an Order granting KFCB leave to challenge the Minister’s decision and staying the arbitration process until further order of the Court.
  • 8. On Monday May 28, 2012 Mr. Donald Lines gave a letter to all staff seeking a change of employment to KFC Operations Ltd stating “KFCO will not schedule anyone for work who has not accepted employment with KFCO and signed a KFCO statement of employment”. He further stated in that same letter, “If we [KFCO] have not received your signed copy of the new statement of employment with KFCO by 31st May 2012 we will regretfully have to assume that you are choosing to resign your employment with KFCB and KFCO.”
  • 9. On Wednesday May 30, 2012 around 4:00PM the attorneys for KFCB, Wakefield Quin Ltd. served a copy of the Chief Justices’ Order dated 25 May 2012 on the BIU.
  • 10. Why would KFCB get and order from the Chief Justice on Friday May 25, 2012 and not serve it on the BIU until Wednesday May 30, 2012, just one day before the staff were due to sign the documents for the new company

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  1. KFC Matter: Government Starts Court Proceedings | Bernews.com | May 31, 2012
  1. reality check says:

    so i guess no busses at rush hour? smart i tell u

  2. Baileys bay says:

    Where does Chris Furbert live? I’ll just drop my bags of garbage at his gate and W&E can pick it up there next week sometime…

    • Tommy Chong says:

      I’m dropping mine off on the top of the steps at biu headquarters.

    • ABC says:

      GOOD POINT BAILEYUS BAY ILL JOIN U

    • Cleancut says:

      I will just let the rats deal with my garbage.

    • Tired of PLP & Furbert says:

      Chris Furbert is the BIU’s garbage… Just when you think Bermudians care about tourism etc, some MORON like him comes along to F%^K it up…

  3. GVT Mechanic says:

    This is a joke right? I slept through the year and April Fools Day is here! How are the people who pay your damn wages gonna get to work bies? Privatise the services and take on only non-union people. This is a damn disgrace.

  4. Terry says:

    Just call the election.
    “Who’s Next”.
    Well, in reality there is only one fast food American associated company/group in Bermuda.
    Bream sandwich any one?

  5. GVT worker says:

    BTUC should have not allowed the BIU to join us. I wish members could have voted on that one. This nilly willy union is the spoiled brat and I wish someone (employer) would woop they @$$

    Single mom who depends on bus to get kids to school and myself to work!

  6. SM says:

    Great! Beautful timing as always. NOT!

  7. JJ says:

    Only two grammatical errors on the sign this time. Good job “Bro. Furbit.”

    • Legal Reasons? says:

      i only see one by a stretch: “B.I.U” missing a period.

      where is the second one?

      • Phillip Wells says:

        “Employer’s attack” missing the apostrophe.

        Or maybe it should be “employers’”. Not sure if Chris Furbert is trying to insinuate that many employers are attacking union rights or just KFC.

        Either way, it needs an apostrophe.

  8. An expat who is leaving... says:

    What BS.

    The BIU have no empathy for their customers they inconvenience during these impromptu meetings but expect support from the public when it suits them, such as the KFC dispute.

    Where is government with the firm hand, peek tourist season and they sit on their hands when this happens, pure amateur hour.

    Bermuda, there is a reason there is going to 1000 expats leaving in June, wake up.

    • Fris Churbert says:

      Chek u lata bie! And make sure u tell all ya xpat frands to get out to!

      • BermyGurl says:

        Go ahead, tell them to get out and when they take their companies with them, there are far less jobs and the economy goes further down the toilet, see where we will be then!

  9. theotherside says:

    Who’s next? I know who it should be!

  10. Jammys says:

    Gubbamint “workers” are not productive on Fridays anyhow.

  11. Family Man says:

    So essential services like buses, ferries, postal services and garbage collection are “called to a meeting” over fried chicken???

    Amazing how quiet Paula and Derrick can be isn’t it. I wonder if she will ask her chauffeur to stop along the way and pick up people trying to get to work.

    • Fris Churbert says:

      D ONLY TING DATS ESSANCHUL IS PROTECTING VORKERS RIGHTS!!

      AND IMA PROTECT DOSE RIGHTS TIL DERE AINK NO VORK TO BE DONE!!

    • Come correct says:

      Hahahahahahaha people? U mean common folk? Be real.

  12. Fed the Eff Up! says:

    When the Hell is the Premier take control of this damn country and stop allowing this reckless destructive unionized activities to break down our fragile fledgling tourism product. For god’s sake perform the nonsense in the off peak months. Paula- yooo-hoooo, Patrice yooo-hoooo, Kim Wilson – are you not alarmed by the sheer lunacy that will affect everyone – tourist and locals alike. What are you being paid for – to gaze out the window, drink tea or are you preparing for the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration and wondering what dress. hat and shoes you’ll wear??

    • Fris Churbert says:

      And I’ll hold a new meeting errday til KFC start gibbin me my monies back!!!!

      PLP FO LIFE!!!

    • Opressed says:

      They’re probably not on the island, more than likely on a government sponsored trip to east bum f**k nowhere to attend some kind of meeting that benefits no one but themselves.

    • pepper says:

      The Premier has no control over this Island,,,and she knows it Chris Furbert is in control !!!!and at rhe end of the day the union will have it’s way….. Ottie, caused turmoil in bda, and Burgess had to have his way and Furbert is going to close down transportation once again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      Bermuda is being run by Chris Furbert !!! the new govenor needs to step in enough is enough…

  13. Fris Churbert says:

    Who’s next?! YOU ARE!!!

    • SML says:

      Very unfortunate that they have to call a meeting right at rush hour. Any thought on students getting to school on time or employees getting to work or tourist sightseeing.
      This is really pathetic.

      Come on Brother Furbert you have kids, you should know better. Move the meeting to 10pm at least. Use your globe!

      • Local that left... says:

        Yes,there is lots of thought on students and employees…

        Thats the point. An union’s power is in its power to inconvenience the public or its employers… to do meetings at the worst time is simply the most effective way for a union to do it…

  14. charles spanswick says:

    SHAME SHAME TO THE BIU THIS WELL BE THE LAST GOOD YEAR FOR BERMUDA? THERE ARE THREE CRUISE SHIPS IN PORT AND NO TRANPORT FOR THEM SHAME ON THE BIU AND GOVERNMENT?

    • Family Man says:

      This is a Good Year?? We are truly f#uked.

  15. Serious says:

    Where are the Government voices? Will employers be understanding when the workers cannot make it in? Not everyone can afford cab fare. Absolutely disgraceful!!!!!!

  16. Phillip Wells says:

    Unfortunately the buses are not designated an essential service, so the BIU can keep doing this with impunity. The PLP have had plenty of opportunties to change this, but have failed to do so every time. So the stoppages will continue until the PLP are voted out or the BIU elect a less militant president.

    • Fris Churbert says:

      Militant!??! BIE!!!! I OUGHTA!!!!

      NAAAAWW LOOK HURR SEE!!!

      I’M CALLING A GENERUL MEATING!!!

      WE BIES ARE BOYCOTTING PHILLIP WELLS!!!

      NO MORE LIMEYS IN BERMUDA!!!

  17. Tommy Chong says:

    Employers attack on Trade Union Rights?!?!?!?!?! More like Trade Union attack on the public’s rights! I don’t see much difference between a gang & biu. Would the police please go to biu headquarters tomorrow & tell them to either disperse or be arrested. They are taking our tax payer dollars by sitting on their a$$3$ at these meetings when they should be working & the last time I checked robbery is a criminal offense.

    • Tommy Chong says:

      Also any government worker who REALLY cares about the public they serve will protest this meeting by going about their daily tasks. Anyone who goes to this meeting is outright motioning that they don’t care about the public & are lazy a$$3$ that rather be paid to not do their job.

      • Fris Churbert says:

        WHAT!?!?! BIE!!!! YOU DUN KNO WUT YA TALKIN BOUT!!!

        IF ANY GUBMINT WORKERS DON’T SHOW UP TO DIS MEETING, IM GETTIN MY DONALD TRUMP ON AND IM SHOWIN DESE WORKERS WIF NO BACKBONE WUT D CONSEKWENCES ARE!!!

        • Tommy Chong says:

          More like ronald mcdonald trump. Thats the real reason chris is vexed at kfc because the cornel’s recipe is better than his. Ronald Mcdonald furbert can take his mcnuggets super size them & stick them up his…… He’s one clown that doesn’t need a costume.

  18. Goodbye Bermy!! says:

    Obviously the BIU in their typical selfish way think that their meetings are more important then the continuous running of Bermuda. Because the employers of this country are trying to shut down the BIU and destroy Bermuda. LoL ☺ NOT EVERYTHING IS A DAM CONSPIRENCY. OMG!!! I’m so tired of this Bull Sh#t. We want be satisfied till all is lost. Theirs an old technology called tele conferencing. Try it. Chris Furbert shows every day how much he must suffer from panic disorder or some other type of situational phobia. I saw him and heard him talking to a Corporation of Hamilton worker the other day and he referred to they like they are the enemy and that’s what I got out of your conversation. We have to get along in order for every one to prosper in Bermuda. He seems to display a very unreasonable attitude its his way or the highway and that’s dangerous for some one in his position. And I like KFC’s chicken better than Mr Furbert’s Chicken oh I mean Mr. Chickens chicken. Chris put your dumpster out cause I know where you live Ill be dropping off my garbage there…LoL!!

    • Fris Churbert says:

      VELL OBWIOUSLY YOU DONT KNOW WHO’S HIGHWAY IT IS!!

  19. What is going on? says:

    So I guess many students will have the day off from school tomorrow? Sounds like a smart idea to hold a meeting at 8am. Heaven forbid they should hold a meeting in the evening or on a weekend so Bermudians aren’t inconvenienced any further. So sad….

    • pepper says:

      Chris Furbert could care less about how our children and others get to school or work !!!! all he cares about is himself !!!!!and the MONEY he gets from the ignorant members of the B.I.U. the days of the union are over….. and Chris will go down in history as the worst union president of the B.I,U…he is always angry, and his eyes scare the hell outof me….. this is one angry dude that is incharge of this island…..

      • Fris Churbert says:

        YOUR DAMN RIGHT I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND HOW OTHERS GET TO WORK!!

        ITS ABOUT DE STATE OF DE UNION AND DE STATE OF DE FRIED CHICKEN!! AND WE HAVE WORKED FAR TO HARD TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO LET DE FRIED CHICKEN GO!!!!

    • K18 says:

      They can’t have a meeting in the evening or on the weekend! No members would show up! Of course they are going to go to this meeting. Getting paid to sit off – especially since it’s hot out now!!

  20. BermudaSon says:

    When the general public gets fed-up, change will come swift and severe. Pick up a person on the way to work and pull out the push pedal, walk a mile and hitch a ride to your destination. Do this for a few days and a few folks will wake up and start smelling the roses. Remember, no passengers, no pay. Result: We will be a much healthier people very fast. We can start to set the standard now….. We can show you better than we can tell you. Action speaks louder than words.

  21. Opressed says:

    Too much censorship on this site now. Free speech down the drain along with the rest of this island.

  22. Cease and desist says:

    Buses aside, why do they feel they need to use every available font on the notices they issue? I feel like revoking my membership for that alone!

  23. 1minute says:

    No buses – kids can’t get to school – Government should step in and force the union to move the meeting until 10am so we can get to work & school…

    • Tommy Chong says:

      The biu leader feels that kids don’t need to go get an education because his ignorant a$$ has gotten this far without knowing squat.

      • Fris Churbert says:

        THEY NEED A EDUCATION BOUT AS MUCH AS I NEED YOUR OPINION! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SCHOOLS ANYWAYS SO I DON’T KNOW WHY YOUR TALKIN BOUT EDUCATION FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE!

        • Honestly says:

          So students don’t rely on public transportation to get to school? SMH. U r funny and totally miss the connection! This has everything with students getting to school on time because there are exams to be sat. Some parents have no transportation. U must be a BIU member! Get smart!

          • sarcasm says:

            @honestly: I think the poster, Fris Churbert, is being sarcastic. Note the rest of the posts.

          • Fris Churbert says:

            MAYBE YA DE ONE DAT NEEDS DE EDUCATION IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE SATIRE IN MY POSTS!!

            YA!! SATIRE!!! IM GOT WOCABULARY TO BIE!!!

        • 1minute says:

          He is making it about schools and education. My children will not be able to get to school on time today. Hopefully their ride will get them there by 9:30. My self-employed wife will not be able to get to work until about 10am which means her client won’t want her at all today, which means she loses a day’s pay, which put us that much closer to losing our home.

  24. Goodbye Bermy!! says:

    Oh the meeting is at 8am Hahahahahaheehee!! Let’s see how many of them can make 8am…LMAO!!

    • Fris Churbert says:

      DEY BETTA BE HERE AT 8AM SHARP!! IT SAYS SO ON THE FLIER I MADE WIF MICROSOFT WORD 95!!

      8AM SHARP!!!

  25. Goalie Interference says:

    Four public transport strikes in two years:
    - Refusing to drive after Hurricane Igor when everyone else was back at work
    - to protest the firing of the serial fake-calling-in-sick guy
    - to protest the firing of the lady refusing a drug test after an accident
    - to have a meeting about a company with no connection to public transport

    I lived in Montreal for ten years, it’s probably the most union-friendly city in North America. There was one unauthorized public transport strike (ie., while the collective agreement was in effect) in those ten years. The union and its leaders were fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for violating the collective agreement.

    • Goodbye Bermy!! says:

      That’s because they have a government with a pair of you know what. And they are not in bed with the union.

  26. jredmond says:

    Are the employees that work at the B.I.U gas station unionized? Can anybody answer that?

    • Cleancut says:

      It is very unlikely that they would stab themselves in the back!

  27. Honestly says:

    I am in agreement that 1) Chris Furbert needs to get out of the lime light with all of this ignorance! Never heard of such! Get a life people and go to work like mature citizens of Bermuda will! Listening to CF this nonsense will unfortunately be ongoing. Enough is enough and fed up with this useless union. Send CF to a public speaking class instead! Carpool my fellow Bermudians! We can rise above this!

  28. Angela says:

    So much for the job and scholarship applications I was trying to drop off tomorrow. Thanks a whole lot.

    • Legal Reasons? says:

      wow! just wow! you’re not very creative for someone looking for a job and asking other people for free money for school… ever heard of waking up earlier?! applications DENIED!

    • Fris Churbert says:

      WAT?? YOU DONT HAVE NO LEGS?? YOU OBVIOUSLY DONT WANT DE JOB OR DE SCHOLARSHIP DAT BAD ANYWAYS SO SAVE YOUR CROCODILE TEARS!

    • tricks are for kids says:

      Ferries are working..catch the early ferry and hand deliver your applications…If you have as many as your making it out to seem by the time you deliver them (considering most places open between 8:30 – 9:00)it should be 10:00 and the meeting will be over and you can catch the bus home….Not that deep….

  29. Pastor Syl says:

    If Ms. Minors is taking legal action against KFC for reneging on arbitration principles or whatever is the reason she wants to waste tax payers’ money for now, why is the BIU striking? Something is very wrong here.

  30. Anti-trash talkers says:

    See the problem with all you trash talker is that as long as it does interfere with you you don’t give a damn. But i guarantee that if it was your money and lively hood you wouldn’t be talking all this trash, and would be the first ones up the BIU steps

    • Berkeley Student says:

      Last time I checked, buses not running DOES interfere with me. I certainly do give a damn, being as I have to get to school tomorrow. You don’t fight issues by causing more issues!

      • SS says:

        well said Berkeley student!Someone that does care and a young one at that!
        Good for you.

      • tricks are for kids says:

        When you are old enough to UNDERSTAND unions.. your thought pattern might change……the early buses are running…you might just have to for one day get up a little earlier to make it to school…sounds like you love school so this shouldn’t be a problem…….

    • Come Correct says:

      First ones up the biu steps? Yea with my trash bags, shoprite at that, like hell if you gettin a glad force flex from me. Rips? Churberts problem…

  31. Shaking the Head says:

    Earlier this week, there was an outcry over a UK Magazine using a photo of Cuba to support their article on crime in Bermuda.
    Today, Bermuda is being ridiculed around the world over KFC, and the Government is now right there in front.
    If I was an IB executive thinking of setting up a company in Bermuda, guess what? I would go anywhere except Bermuda which has now become the laughing stock of the world. Disputes involving fried chicken are now a Government priority! Get real and into at least the 19th Century (we’re now in the 21st)

  32. jussayn says:

    Maybe the public should boycott KFC. jus sayn….health and all….jus sayn

    • Bored with the BIU says:

      This makes me want to buy KFC and support them more, about time someone stood up.

    • Fris Churbert says:

      SEE THIS MAN GETS IT!!!

      MR. CHICKEN IS MUCH HEALTHIER FOR YOU!!!!

  33. M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

    Head on collision down a one way street …. Who will play chicken ?

  34. money says:

    The BIU is an embarrassment to Bermudians and the work that our fore fathers did to ensure the rights of WORKERS. This strike inteferes with my ability to work – couldn’t care less about fried chicken. I’m not striking. To hell with you Furbert.

  35. Vexed says:

    This just caused several students to miss their final exams, stupid fools. How in the world are children going to get to school? The dumb fools couldn’t wait till 10am like before.

    • SS says:

      They just don’t care! Very unfortunate situation.
      If i see kids at the bus stop on my way in tomorrow i will stop and pick them up. Unbelievable to hold a meeting at 8am. Shows you how inconsiderate BIU is.

    • tricks are for kids says:

      How? and it hasn’t even happened yet? The early buses are operating…for one day..catch the earlier bus…..

  36. confused says:

    what does this mean for school busses?

  37. Selfish says:

    They don’t give a dam about anyone but themselves and their own agenda they have against any employer. And they know the government is soft so they will continue to disrupt things to show their arrogances and ignorance. I hope I really that any right minded Bermudian will not stand for this bull shite that seems to happen every year. You can start by showing it at the poles in the next election. The BIU are really pushing people to the brink. And are showing an arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power.

  38. LaVerne Furbert says:

    “Bernews has become a site for unhappy OBA members and supporters. There is rarely an intelligent debate those goes on here. I think I’ll stick with Bermuda Elections 2012. I’m willing to bet my bottom dollar that most of you were down at the Cabinet Office carrying placards when Janice Battersbee gave her speech.

    Not one of you have the courage of your convictions. Cowards, the lot of you!!”

    • 1minute says:

      LaVerne, A lot of us are not OBA members. We are just fed up with all this crap. My kids need to get to school, they will get there today, but they will be late thanks to your union. Why couldn’t you wait until 10am. Is eductaion not important to the BIU, or is that how you keep your membership?
      I am not an OBA member and I was a union member but I was smart enough to get away from them.

      • Joonya says:

        Party before education, industry, environment, global relations, etc. That is Lavernie’s good ole PLP. Brainwashed.

    • Come correct says:

      What’s an intelligent debate laverne? One where people just listen to YOU and accept everything you say? You literally copied and pasted this same comment from a previous article, so why exactly are you still posting here? Shouldn’t you be on Bermuda elacshuns 2012? Face it there’s nothing to debate here, your union is about to get bowled, enjoy your game of pin the donkey on the tail.

    • Zombie Apocalypse says:

      LaVerne, A bit of feedback for you. As I drove in this morning I noticed a couple of things.

      First, I saw 3 buses running at well after 8.00am. So not all your members are behind what you’re doing. They were happily picking up passengers rather than attend your ridiculous meeting.

      Secondly, now that thousands of jobs have been lost as a result of the BIU/PLP, the traffic problem has gone. I usually take a ferry. This morning I drove, and I got to my job 20 minutes earlier than usual. And I was in a/c comfort. Maybe I don’t need that unreliable and over-manned ferry after all.

      Anyway, I’m sure you’re not reading this right now. You’re at your meeting going through your ‘agedna’.

    • Sandgrownan says:

      Jesus. What an incredibly ignorant waste of oxygen you are.

  39. Random 16 yr old girl from Berkeley says:

    SO IF THE BUSES STOP WORKING AT 8 HOW ARE THE STUDENTS SUPPOSED TO GE TOO SCHOOL?

  40. Build a better Bermuda says:

    Take a stand against the issues infecting our employment environment, boycott Chris Furbert. Don’t attend his meetings, don’t pay your dues till Chris and those who support the issues in the union are cleared from the positions they abuse.

    • Come Correct says:

      Why dont we all as Bermudians boycott fris churbert down horseshoe? Its bin nice out recently and i could use a boycott…i mean day off…

  41. How About says:

    Each time the BIU calls a meeting geared to inconvience the public, perhaps the public should picket (and boycott) the BIU businesses. I assume the ‘union’ workers (and owners/managers) in these businesses would not countenance passing a picket line.

    Maybe if inconveniencing the public meant inconvenience for the BIU through loss of $$$, it would then show some consideration for the general public.

  42. Fris Churbert says:

    AND ONE MO THING…PLP FO LIFE!!!

    • 1minute says:

      Idiot – I would never say I’d be a member of a political party for life. You stay a member as long as they are governing the country properly.

      • #1 Fris Churbert Fan says:

        Come on man, he’s clearly joking…its satire and its hilarious. Not meant to be taken seriously.

        Fris Churbert 4 Life!

      • Fris Churbert says:

        IDJIT?!

        BIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK UP DE VORD SATIRE BEFORE YOU MAKE YASELF LOOK LIKE MORE OF A IDJIT!!!

  43. Codfish and Potatoes says:

    This is a precursor to a general strike. No, wait, this is a general strike! Call the election soon please. We need a government that has a spine.

  44. As Bermuda sinks! says:

    Bermuda is being held ransom, because of one man, who is on a power trip. How dare he play around with our kids trying to get to school for exams. This is going too far……… Government, Paula Cox, Patrice Minors….. STOP THIS.

    • 1minute says:

      Stop this – they are going to court in favour of the union…

  45. Family Man says:

    Amazing leadership from the People Lacking Principles.

    Instead of seeking a court injunction to prohibit those businesses and industries that are NOT involved in the fried chicken dispute from withdrawing their labour or disrupting their work the People Lacking Principles get a court injunction to prevent one side from using the law to question the Ministers decisions in court.

    Investors and IB have been watching the actions of this government with dismay. Flowery speeches about resetting the dial and clean hands count for little when they see this.

  46. Justice not Peace says:

    Unions have long outlived their usefulness. What started out as an instrument to ensure employee rights, improved working conditions, benefit guarantees, health and safety requirements and many more, has turned into an organization akin to that of a bullying faction. All the issues fought for by unions of the past have been adopted into legislation, laws and guidelines. We have an arm in place which addresses all of the concerns of both employee and employers. Any right minded employee and employer knows where they can seek redress if they feel they have been wronged, that’s what laws and legislation have been put into for.

  47. Johnny says:

    It is very interesting that no one has spoken about KFC’s role in this debacle. Out of all of you who are complaining, I bet none of you would apply for a job there, and I bet that not even 5 percent of you will be affected by the BIU members meeting. Furthermore the only reason most of you are even commenting is to take a swipe at the PLP. Silly folks.

    • Hmmmmmm says:

      I’m sick of the lies, the intimidation, the disruption to so many including our tourists. KFC have clearly communicated their position and intentions at every step of the way.

    • Think About It says:

      I beg to differ. EVERYONE will be affected by this meeting as the ramifications of no transportation on a work & school day affect us all. Further, the potential for negative impact on tourism and international business, the two main pillars of our economy is very real, and a decline in either or both would affect the whole island. So it isn’t about chicken- it’s about what is best for Bermuda in the long-term and the broader scope.

      Your post represents the problem I have with the current leadership of the government and the two largest unions (BIU & BPSU)- limited insight and a dearth of foresight. When pondering the immediate issue and the best way to address it, consider the potential problems your reponses would create for YOUR MEMBERS in the long run. You cannot separate the needs of your members from the needs of the community- they are inextricably linked. Can Bermuda afford further economic decline created by our own actions? I think not! So THINK before you act and do what is right and responsible for Bermuda. Perhaps then, the government and the unions would find the public more supportive of their decisions.

  48. Johnny says:

    Y’all’s just mad. First PLP, then Obama, next a black Prime minister of England or better yet one of them princes marries a black girl. LMAO

    • Hmmmmmm says:

      Has nothing to do with being black, you have been fooled by the people who want to cling onto their pots of gold or you are one of them.

    • 1minute says:

      Why do you need to bring race into this. A$$holes aren’t found in just one race…

  49. Carla Rose Louise Wilkinson says:

    @ Laverne Furbert: I am certain that by now, most of us try to ignore your comments, but would you just for once, “Be Quiet”. Go sit off with Chris Furbert and the other Dweebs. Go be the brown-noser that you are… And I bet that you don’t have to catch the bus, do you? Just go away!!!!

  50. Carla Rose Louise Wilkinson says:

    @ Fris Churbert: You are hilarious! You should have your own comedy hour! Where do you come up with this stuff? Keep up the good work!!

    • Fris Churbert says:

      I COME UP WIF DIS STUFF FROM MY BRANE!!! UMMA GENIOUS YOU KNOW!!!

      • Latrine says:

        Same place he gets all his other brilliant ideas! Go get these chicken mongers Fro Bris Sherbert! We got yo back! PLP fa life!

  51. Carla Rose Louise Wilkinson says:

    @Johnny: Who took the jam out of your doughnut? Lol

  52. noneya says:

    They choose to have this meeting in the morning when you have people that need to get to work children that need to get school what is the point what is the reason why they couldn’t wait till later in the day to have this meeting! When there’s not much people traveling by public transportation you people of BIU have no purpose to the sh#t you do seriously you don’t think about the community before you do anything waffles a%s group of people

    • Exactly says:

      The problem is that the time was planned to cause maximum disruption to the community. They are trying to get their point accross. The problem is, however, that KFC acted within their rights and there is not much the B.I.U. can really do about it by the books so they are trying “bully tactics” to get their way instead.

  53. Bum-By says:

    This is all a crying shame, the situation with the Children and general public being inconvience for the sake of the Union membership meeting to discuss what the next GREAT INCONVIENCE will be. We definitely need to consider the direction and effect that these issues are having on the our Tourist Industry not to mention next they will want the involvment of the Hospitality industry. Well you talk about being up the Creek without locomotion, I feel that we are in the Bathroom all alone with no PAPER and we are taking consultation from you know who (cf)as to what we do next Finger Lickin Good. Meanwhile this Union fiesco is costing Our Government in the last Three (3) Days upwards of $70,000 not to mention the Overtime that will be paid, for the Collection of Waste Tonight, we will never catch up with the mail all to compensate for the time spent at the B.I.U. meeting this A.M.but I doubt very strongly that this meeting will finish or should I be saying that I doubt the workers will return to work before 1:15 P.M.after having a few TOTTIES whilst discussing their FOUR (4) hour lunch hour this MORNING. Have you ever been to a Union Membership Meeting,reminds me of a Tree house meeting Kids have in a Tree House not a clue all for FUN(Food For Though That This Is What We Are Paying For)and it is not CHICKEN!!!!!!

  54. auslander says:

    There’s two cruise ships in at Dockyard. Its carnage at the best of times up there… gonna be mental today..

    Welcome to Bermuda…

  55. Carla Rose Louise Wilkinson says:

    I agree with 1 minute; race has nothing to do with this situation.. Always takes one “fool” to bring it into the topic of discussion..

  56. Joonya says:

    This is both pathetic and an embarrasement. Furbit is acting like a spoiled little child and all those who rely on public transport are suffering for it. What a selfish @$$. Paula do something for Chrise sake!

  57. navin johnson says:

    Kim is in Peru telling the UN why we should be Independent and Paula is in Belgium educating the European market on the sophistication of the Bermuda market and Patrice and Brother Chris have brought the island to a standstill over Fried Chicken. I would say we are ready for independence…..tourists are probably enjoying it……If guns are illegal how does Bermuda keep managing to shoot itself in the foot so much?

    • Family Man says:

      I though Paula was in Belgium popping those delicate little Belgian chocolates into her mouth.

      • Latrine says:

        Ooooo I love those little Belgian chocolates too! Its like their country is populated by little next generation keebler elves…I wonder if keebler elves are unionized???