Inaction At Docks, BIU Staff “Withdraw Labour”
[Updated with video & Minister Fahy's response] There is inaction at the Hamilton Docks this afternoon [Jan 7] as the Port Workers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union [BIU] have not returned to work after a meeting with the BIU.
This afternoon Stevedoring Services CEO Peter L. Aldrich said: “Stevedoring Services Ltd. regrets to inform the public that, after an unscheduled meeting this morning, the Port Workers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union [BIU] have not returned to work.
“The Company views this as action short of a strike in an essential service per the Labour Relations Act 1975 and as such has notified the Minister and the Director of the Department of Labour and Training.
“We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers and the importing public and look forward to the Minister resolving this as quickly as possible,” Mr Aldrich concluded.
Speaking last year, Mr Aldrich said as there is reduced work available for dock workers due to the lower imports, they offered a guaranteed minimum workweek of either 22.5 hours or 15 hours, with standby pay for the balance of the 37.5 hours, which was around 50% [$16- $18 per hour] for standby time. He said negotiations were unsuccessful, and SSL was left with no alternative but to issue notice of temporary lay-offs.
BIU President Chris Furbert has said the workers believe that as their work is gone, its “worth a lot more to them” than the 50% SSL offered for that time. He also noted that while SSL is saying the unionised members will be home on layoffs and/or standby pay, three superintendents will be working, which he said means they will be effectively “supervising nobody.”
Mr Furbert is presently hosting a press conference about the matter, and we will update with his comments as able.
Update 3.11pm: Mr Furbert said if SSL will be laying people off effective today, the workers have been given no choice but to “withdraw their labour” effective today.
Update 3.23pm: Photo of the press conference below, video to follow
Update 4.53pm: 17-min video of the BIU press conference below.
The Oleander is presently in port, and Mr Furbert said it will sit there until this matter is sorted out. “Nothing is moving,” said Mr Furbert.
He earned applause from those gathered when he said that Stevedoring CEO Peter Aldrich and the Operations Manager “don’t have a clue about good faith.”
Update 7.27pm: In response to reports that dock workers have withdrawn their services, the Minister of Home Affairs, Michael Fahy said this evening, “We were advised of the action late this afternoon, and I must say, we are very disappointed in this latest turn of events.
“I await a report from Labour Relations Officers who are actively working with both Stevedoring Services and the Bermuda Industrial Union to conciliate and effect a settlement.”
Minister Fahy continued, “I think I speak for our entire community – business owners and residents alike – when I say that sudden work stoppages are not the answer.
“The effective flow of our trade and commerce is vital to our community, and these instances where organisations seek to solve industrial disputes with wildcat strikes do nothing to help our challenged economy.
“We appreciate that within the workplace disputes and complaints will inevitably arise. We also recognise the importance of upholding the rights of the worker and finding a harmonious balance in solving those disagreements. And we also understand the role of the union to act as an advocate for the rights of the worker.
“However, again, these are delicate economic times that we are currently in and there is a resolution process in place to avoid such actions like today. And it is imperative that both management and the union work with us in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and respect to uphold this process.
“Ultimately our aim is to ensure an amicable settlement of this dispute, so that the public and businesses are not further adversely affected,” concluded Minister Fahy.
Update Jan 8, 9.51am: The docks remain inactive as of this morning
Update Jan 8, 3.05pm: There is activity on the docks again this afternoon, with it appearing the dock workers have returned to work.
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- Dock Workers Return To Work This Afternoon | Bernews.com | January 8, 2013
Time to get tough with the Bermuda Industrial Union.
Fire them, Mr. Aldrich.
Or just let them go bankrupt…
In 2013, you are so out of date BIU, take your 1980s socialism and clear off. And as for you Furbert, I just watched you on VSB a moment ago. My god man, you can barely string a sentence together, why would anyone support anything you say?
Agree. Enough is enough. Too many people looking for work for this nonsense. Fire whoever strikes and give the unemployed jobs
Agree 100%!! There’s more than enough unemployed people here that would APPRECIATE the work!
Fire the BIU workers and get some eager-to-work Bermudians in there for whatever hours are available!!
I’ll take whatever you will offer!
Really that’s your solution to hire other people? And who will train these new hires certainly not Mr. Aldrich. You need trained staff to operate the dock, not random new hires who wont have a clue what to do. The situation is much more complex than you think. Those dock workers are valuable and deserve to be treated fairly; lest we forget they have families to provide or as well!
Whay don’t the BIU pay the 50% downtime shortfall to the workers until volume of containers picks up? Then all will be happy.
This should be easy. Those who do not show up for work tomorrow go to the top of the layoff list.
“Top of the Layoff List??” No way – if you don’t show up for work, YOU GET FIRED.
If you don’t show up for work at my business, I assume you are telling me you no longer want to work for me. No big deal Mate! I’ll pick up the phone and get a new employee in here before lunchtime.
YOU ARE ALL REPLACEABLE!
No, we aren’t. Not the ones who possess skills that no one off the street has and would take more money than it’s worth to retrain. Thats the key , make yourself irreplaceable . Some company’s are just plain greedy and would get away with murder without unions .
If you are irreplaceable you will be keeping your job.
It’s the other ones that will be in trouble. Forklift driver? Lots of those unemployed right now who would jump to get on the docks.
This is a tough dispute for I think Stevedorings has come to the wicket with a great offer. even though there is not enough work they are keeping on staff and offering pay and benefits whilst work is not being done. That’s not a bad deal vs laying off half the people.
Time to start fining the BIU for an illegal strike action. The workers have a choice, they just didn’t like it.
dock workers, at least you have a job !!!!!!!!! so many Brrmudians who do not have job would love to take over your jobs, so be careful and think things through.
Guaranteed 22.5 hours why not take the reduced hours with 50% standby pay for 37.5 hours, now they might be layed off with les or no pay. I Suppose the 3 superintendants get will get normal pay and keep their jobs. At the end of this the union workers will be Layed off\and on standby. Those workers in that position would be wise to seek other employment.
Oh well. With 10,000 un/under-employed shouldn’t be too hard finding folks who would love a new job.
WTF is wrong with people… they’ve turned down an offer that includes being paid to be on stand-by.
RUFKM!?
That’s what I’m saying, I might go drop off a resume tomorrow. I have plenty of work to do around my house while I get paid to be on standby. Its like people don’t think, while you’re off and getting paid find somethin slight to do that could possibly bring in a few extra dollars…carpentry, making cd’s, VOLUNTEERING at a charity if possible, I don’t know, whatever floats your boat. I feel for the workers but be realistic, times aren’t the same as they were 10 or 15 years ago, even 5 years ago. Ask yourself what does Chris Furbert have to lose. At the end of this work day he’ll go back to his gated homestead and you’re left with what?
Sometimes half a steak is better than no steak at all.
“no choice but to withdraw their labor Butch”?? You’ve had your fund with the previous Government and now your tryin the same stupidness with the new Govt? Its time to do a Ronald Reagan on the BIU. i.e. 80′s ATC Strikers were told get back to work or get replaced. You guys are just plain crazy to follow crazy. BTW his mortgage is paid, is yours?
Great…in an already tough economic environment these guys are making it more difficult for everyone. How about Stevedoring put out an ad for paid assistance down at the docks see how many people turn up !
Get a grip union members…many many people have lost their jobs recently…take what you can..at least you have an alternative!
Lets see if the govt has the testicular fortitude to clamp down on these wildcat ‘strikes’. Dont they realise it actually causes more jobs to be lost as there is a knock on effect. I say SSL and the govt. should let them sweat it out, see how much money is in the BIU coffers, and give their jobs to the 1000s of unemployed people who are looking and wanting to work on this island.
I believe the Docks are an Essential Service/Industry… so this wildcat strike (let’s call it what it really is) is totally illegal. Furbert’s old school “negotiating” style is passe and counterproductive to moving our Country forward. Time to get rid of this hateful man who regularly holds the Country hostage. He has WAY too much power…!
Hes only as strong as the BIUs bank balance! He continuously bluffs his way through one wildcat strike to another. But if the govt stood up to him, he’ll have to eventually show his hand, which ofcourse is that the BIU cant afford to pay their members if they are on a significant long term strike. The govt should call their bluff, let them strike, and wait for the BIU to collapse and give in when their money dries up. I bet their bank balance wouldnt last a week with a major strike.
Let the strikes begin! See how long the BIU can pay for it…
I agree – let the strikes begin! However, the workers will be the ones to suffer. The BIU has historically never paid much if anything. I was once a member of the BIU (many moones agao) and all I got was a tiny voucher for use at their own CO-OP supermarket.
At te end of that strike – the small extra 1/2 percentage increase they were fighting for on our behalf didn’t cover the wages lost during the strike. It was pointless.
When Supervisors stay on dude they are the ones doing all the work
Well… this should be interesting.
I can’t believe this nonsense…… are they crazy. Time to take a stance Bermuda, everyone will back a tough stance on this one.
In the event they are told their services are no longer needed Chris Furbert would not find them employment.
It’s laughable that people think that these workers can be so easily replaced. Who is going to train these “new” workers, Peter Aldrich? Those guys have that work down to a science. Put some poor, inexperienced fool down there and see how long they last! It’s a hard job, a dangerous job and a risky job but these guys do it (accident free I might add). How about showing them some support, because without them how are you all going to get your goods including the food on your table! By the way, just “replacing” these guys will NOT work as the BIU will stand strong together. Try replacing them all- good luck with THAT ha!!!
Yep, you guys really STOOD STRONG against KFC. That went well…
LOL @ VJ
u a joker
fired them all
u tellin me none else is capable of doin dat job LMAO
Ok, how about YOU give it a try? Any idea how much containers weigh??? Hope you’re not flat as a pancake on your first day!!!
How about this…@VJ, you make it seem like it is something that one needs a masters degree to do. You start at the bottom and learn how to do it. Basically just like every other job one can get. You think that a CEO starts as a CEO. Or how about Chris Furbert. He start right at the top? Thought not. Anyway, these fools at the docks have no idea that they are crippling the Island when they do such dumb things. I hope that Stevedoring fires all of the lazy asses. Hire new staff, and maybe the Union will just die. Cuz they are killing this Isle
I’d give it a go, if you’re dumb enough to stand under a container then clearly you should be mopping floors or something that takes next to no common sense. I see your point but its as if you’re saying nobody else, besides who is there now, is capapable of the job. You should try what I used to do, 250ft in the air on a 2×2 structure and most people would soil themselves and if you haven’t done your job properly and fall, you would leave basically the same impression as having a container fall on you. Sure I had safety equipmemt but it MIGHT stop you from dying, it won’t stop you from hitting everything on the way down and getting serverley f@cked up.
You sound just like one of those dock workers! Did you not read the statement as to why these reduced worktimes and in turn lay offs are being made?! Less people on the island = less imports. Less imports = smaller boat loads from the US. Smaller boat loads from the US = less time and resources need to unload them here in lil old Bermyland. End of the day, the work is just not there! What else do you want Stevedoring Services to do? I suggest we get the illustrious BIU that represents them to pay the workers wages? Hows that sound?
Sorry VJ. Many of us would like to show support and perhaps in this case it is warranted.
However, most of us are resentful of the fact the BIU has left our children stranded at bus stops and school because they called an illegal last minute meeting or strike.
Many of are resentful of the way they ignore the law – you know the same laws that the rest of us must follow.
Many of us remember (and helped transport) the hundreds of tourists they stranded after another wildcat strike!
Many of us remember how they protected Ferry Boat Pilots and bus drivers that were “under the influence” or refused to take a test after an accident.
Many of us remember the whole KFC joke !
The list goes on and on and I’m only talking about the last decade.! I was a part of the union and had lots of respect for Ottiwell Simmons and the way he ran the Union. I didn’t always agree with his decisions but I always felt he was firm but fair. Since then the BIU ladership seems to be more about power that people!
Don’t ask us to support a group that thinks of nobody else but themselves!
Could not agree more with you! Chris Furbert & the BIU need a reality check . . . Hello, there are over 3000 Bermudians unemployed & I am sure there are many Bermudians that could do the stevedors jobs too or would be willing to go abroad to learn! He’ll I’ve see containers lifted over walls & tall trees either off or onto a tractor trailer . . . Yes, a skill that can be learnt!
Good post. This absolutely nails it, I agree 100%. BIU are a joke.
You may be right….so here is what they should do. Either a) tell them to stop complaining and get on with it or b) give in to them but advise them that their replacements will be coming in shortly for them to train, and upon completion, they will be fired…so enjoy your small victory because you have just lost the war.
VJ, your logic is flawed. You REALLY think that those guys can’t be replaced. I guarantee you that a few calls to the east coast of the US will find pleanty of people to come work and train new Bermudian dock workers in a decent amount of time. Its NOT rocket science mate. It would seem they are participating in an illegal strike, sounds like the first real test for a new Government and the threat to an essential service. the BIU will stand strong together by THEMSELVES. Worst case scenario, there is a general strike. How many days/weeks do you think people will stay away from their job in January?! No one is irreplaceable mate, no one! And it may be about time to replace those jokers!
Rocket science it is not! ANYONE with an IQ larger than their shoe size could learn it.
How many heavy equipment operators are out there unemployed right now?
Wouldn’t take them long at all to adapt to docks machinery
Interesting. I think all the businesses being impacted by this should sue the union for the impact this is having on them. If food spoils then they should be made to pay for the full value that food could be sold in a store or restaurant.
@VJ, the fact is there is no work for them, so they need to reduce their costs. I can tell by your comments you do not have a business. Do you think SSL wants to lay people off? The fact is if they keep all these people fully employed it means thet have to raise the fees to have people sitting around doing nothing. This is not a Govt run business it is there to make a profit.
I agree with the above, see who shows up tomorrow and whoever does not then they can be laid off. It may be difficult to train new people but then that is what they have to do. The union has broken their agreement by doing this therfore the contract is over no more union at the docks.
This is pure hogwash. This is nt the way to run the union.
..what you fail to comprehend is that SSL is a business. With our current recession the amount of goods coming in has significantly decreased and they are unable to afford to keep paying what they once did. (although I am sure there has been a huge spike in people’s goods leaving over the last 5 years) Anywhoo…from this perspective it is either the current scenario or go out business. So which would the BIU rather have all of nothing or part of something?
Not sure if I understand the logic the Union is using.
i was thinking the same thing you know. it all seems a bit archaic and primitive to me. lets wait and see if the BIU has saved up all of those dock workers membership fees to pay them their wages during this strike.
Go Bro Chris,
Show these people the we stand united and are,nt afraid of fall. Enough of these guys trying to milk the excuse of this economy to try and take advantage of us workers.I hope we stand firm and dont back down until you get the respect . And while were at it lets send this bogus oba/ubp a message.we guys over at department public transportion got your back. Just say the word and we be there express.Up with the Biu and the plp
@ Sherbert,
???????
Fruit and nut flavoured
For real, like Aldrich is doing this because he can do all the work himself. If the work is there, he can’t make a profit without his workers. The work isn’t there so why don’t you come up with a viable solution before you start your pissing contest. Oba/ubp? Yo the election is done and dusted, this doesn’t have f@cks to do with it. Grow up
(Sad thing is I believe most posters here are older than me. I’m 25 and don’t know/understand everything but if this is the mentality of our teachers, its no wonder why we are where we are.)
How’s the replacement of the inefficient, wasteful, expensive bus schedule coming along at the DPT, Sherbert.
Oh….stalled by the BIU so us taxpayers are still getting shafted.
“…taking advantage of us workers…” Yeah, right.
You guys are living in la-la land and, by the way, the PLP/BIU lost the election!
Like little children when you don’t get your way you are more than willing to stamp your feet and inconvenience tens of thousands of Bermudians cause something didn’t end up the way you wanted it.
Businesses are losing money and cannot afford to keep “non-productive staff” on the payroll at the current rate. Didn’t get our way, lets have an ILLEGAL strike.
My brothers and sisters from the DPT found operating public vehicles under the influence and get rightfully fired. Don’t like that decision and believe that I should be able to drink, smoke and be responsible for the public’s lives…so lets have another ILLEGAL strike.
The Government was voted in by the majority of the electorate, but you don’t like the outome…so lets have an ILEGAL strike.
You Unioners think you can constantly inconvenience the Bermudian public for your own selfish means and then complain about not receiving enough support? Look upon yourselves and your actions as to why many view the Union as being outdated and just plain old irritating.
I hope you do strike and hope you also find out that the BIU, in any shape or form, canot support your illegal strikes, because there is no money in the BIU coffers. Where has all your membership dues gone? Definitely not to the workers. And yet you Union members will still stick up for the same people that are taking your money? You unioners are funny and only hurting yourselves with such foolishness.
So yes I hope you guys do go on strike…the problem is only you Unioners would feel the real pain…I dare you to strike…actually I double dare you..
Hahahahahaha someone’s got sour grapes!!!! Poor loser much mate? LMFAO , hahahahahaha!!!! Up with the plp and biu…… Mercy bah I’m dyin here. Too bad we can’t just walk into a shop and have a brain change like we can with tires! U my friend are in desperate need of one. Unions today are the joke of all jokes! So go on ahead mate Join your fellow union members and let me know how that turns out. I just hope that THIS government has the balls to fire every one of u that don’t give 21 days notice. Here’s hoping…..thanx for the laugh though. Hahahahahaha
These guys deserve our support, how many lawyers,IB, managers, civil servants agree to take such a pay cut!!!!further it is not acceptable to be on standby for more than the guarenteed workweek!!! Stand strong BIU because people don’t realize we would be right back in the cotton fields if we keep accepting less than we are truly worth! Are landlords, belco, telco & others on board with lowering their prices ?????? some of the above comments lack any thought regarding labourers, who are actual people that are worth far more than your puny minds can ever imagine..it makes no sense to ask any of you to thin because obviously it is virtually impossible to assemble a critical assessement without thinking about yourselves exclusively!
A lot of manager take a cut…in their profits to keep people employed. Some say so what but it is a business and when times are slow, its time to trim the fat then the workers. I don’t complain when my boss takes home his regular pay and i’m short a few hours a week. My boss has the option to shut the whole place down and let everyone go or go bankrupt and then everyone has to go. Pick your poison….wisely.
Appleby , CD&P and many other law firms laid off workers fool! And so did many IB companies and many of them shave the fat off the top! Look it up, the stories havee all been in the paper.
Rental prices have come down and if yours has not- perhaps you should re-negotionate your agreement.
Thank you! I remember years ago, no matter how good business was, my former boss claimed the company was barely scraping by. Why? Because he knew if he admitted the company was actually booming, workers would want better pay and benefits. Naturally, over the years he became a very rich man all on the back of his workers who barely made ends meet. Stop using the economy as an excuse-this company has literally made millions off the sweat of the workers, and now they want them to take a hit. I’m sure Mr Aldrich and the board members aren’t taking a hit in the pocket! People want to hate on Bro Chris, but he is the voice piece for the workers. The workers have to make the best decisions pertaining to their livelihood, and Bro Chris brings it forward. If it wasn’t for people like Bro Chris and others sticking up for their rights, we would still be hung from trees whenever we “stepped out of line.”
You mean that this company has been successful enough to graciously hire Union workers, and pay them a good wage. A VERY good wage! This has nothing to do with your B.S. statement, “the company literally made millions off the sweat of the workers.” What nonsense! Were the workers willing?… then hush up. If the company didn’t make good money, they wouldn’t be able to hire Union workers. Think!
Again, your logic is flawed. Your former boss didn’t become a very rich man on the back of his workers. He became a rich man because he saw an opportunity, took a risk, invested his dollars, probably worked hard, and was successful. Slavery is over, if you and your fellow employees thought you were being taken advantage of, you could have spoken up, run to your Bro Chris, or just quit and found another job where you weren’t being taken advantage of (your words). The best decision the workers could make is to get themselves another spokesman/president. If Bro Chris is an example of your best foot forward, things must be really bad within the BIU. Go and talk to Mr. Simmons, ask him what his opinion is pertaining to the dock workers situation. Now there is someone whom everyone would listen to, even if we disagreed with him.
@almostthere
Bermuda never had cotton fields….
Landlords ARE lowering their rents. And the others are not working for companies that are about to go out of business!
@almostthere.
u never left so back 2 ur lazy a…
time 2 start exposin BIU im sure u dont want de walls 2 talk
lol………….
0.o O_o @_@ O_O ಠ_ಠ[8][9] ಠ_ರೃ (*_*)
u want de canary 2 sing
plp and de followers u really askin for de TRUTH
well said almosthere
VJ…thank you….people quick to mouth off without FULLY knowing the facts……everytime theres a union issue EVERYONE wants to hate on Chris…..remember he WORKS for THEM….the workers have taken a stand so he has to go with what his bosses (In this case the dock workers) say……he can advise them otherwise but once it goes to vote the majority wins…
VJ is right again when he says that you cant put any joe blow there tomorrow to fill these guys positions. ..they are trained to do what they do…
Everyone is quick to say this and that and thus and so ……..just because the economy is slow it doesnt mean that one should have to sell their soul to the devil or entertain BS just to remain gainfully employed….
The workers are being asked…..I mean being forced to take a reduced salary while Mr. Aldrich continues to line his pocket…..
Isn’t it Mr. Aldrich’s business?! Who elses pockets are supposed to be lined? Joe Blow can be trained just like the current striking dock workers. Oh and just so you know, SSL is also being forced to earn a reduced income (the workers have acknowledged this), why wouldn’t this translate into reduce salary for the workers? You are dismantling your own point mate.
HE’S THE BOSS YA DUMMY. HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS. WHEN YOU BECOME OR THEY BECOME THE BOSS PUT UP AND SHUT UP AND IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT FIND A NEW JOB. STRAIGHT!
@ almostthere
Well said in total agreement about time management be held responsible for thier inability to manage and now they find themselves in a tight jam they wanna throw it at the workers to fix. Stand strong BIU shut the whole Island down if need be. Lets send Jack a message
“…shut the whole Island down…”
Very constructive. Very helpful.
Oh please! These guys wouldn’t have been working in the rain this afternoon anyway!
Hahahahahaha inna !!!!
And if the temp ever went below say 50 degrees they would not work either. Too cold. Sissys!
The sun has to shine on everyone for a business to succeed. Been real cloudy. BIU has its head so deep in pink sand they may never see the light of day. Godspeed SSL.
I’m sorry, i’m missing something here. SSL and the union have a dispute, this dispute was referred to arbitration. If the matter was referred to arbitration why is SSL laying off workers, and why is the B.I.U. withdrawing its labour?
I think we need to hear from the relevant Government Minister A.S.A.P.
Arbitration was lifted in December as they were sent to arbitration under the wrong section of that act as essential support staff.
So what is the real reason that there is no action taken against the Union for this type of illegal action?
This union is a Joke and the problem with Bermuda… Get back to work you lazy sods! Strikes mid tourist season, strikes at the airport, strikes on the dock, strikes left right and center… the world changed, you are lucky to be employed! Do you d@mned jobs or find new ones!
Chris is keeping his promise – there would be trouble. Somebody needs to either put a muzzle on him or vote him out of position. No strong PLP presence in the house, so he is going to do it all – Chris Almighty!!
@OBA …Now you get what you want , do you want more ? You think it’s the end , but it’s just the beginning ! Let’s tune Cannon Ear in . The victory lap’s over !
@Dock Workers … It only takes a spark to get the fire going and soon all those around will warm up in its glowing . That’s how it is with labor love OBA WILL EXPERIENCE IT !
Sickie.
next BCL will tell us there is not enough freight to keep the boat coming every week. They will start to bring the boat to Bermuda every 2 weeks.
Not sure how many of you know this but these guys have already given up a whole day in the past in order to help the company save money……also with the shed taken away they no longer collect container royalties,…….so they have sacrificed and now they are being asked to sacrifice even more…..
So they’re supposed to be paid to sit around and do nothing? If the work isn’t there it isn’t there and SSL should be cutting staff. Instead they’ve come up with a compromise solution that doesn’t require layoffs.
How is getting 50% salary for NOT working a sacrifice?
Whether you see it as a sacrifice or not thats your opinion…but if they have already given up a day (which they have from previous discussions over a year ago) and now to lose another 50% which equates 1/2 day wage…then yes it IS a sacrifice….
Further to that as stated above…..Mr. Aldrich will be collecting his FULL salary….what’s his reduction to HELP the company save….but I guess cause he’s the BOSS so it doesn’t matter…..all these companies trying to save are doing so at the employees expense….they’re getting their full salaries and have their workers make beans….its the WORKERS that are making the SACRIFICES…
If they don’t want to sacrifice, then they should be the Boss. And work for themselves.
After all, it’s easy being the Boss, right?
As I said NO pay loss for the boss …….
ITS HIS BUSINESS!!!!! HIS DECISION, HIS RISK, HIS MONEY!! What is so complicated about that! Who are you or the BIU for that matter to tell him how to run his business?!
Douglas stop riding my di%^!….you seem to have an issue with whatever I have to say. …so to you I say “poor you”…just as you feel you are entitled to your opinion I am entitled to mine…sorry if we dont agree…..have a blessed day!
Nah you just angry because Douglas’ is right. If it were your company and you were losing money what would you do? Keep going the way you change your business or keep losing? Seems pretty simple to me. If you don’t like it find another job. And why would the BOSS take a pay cut, he’s the boss for a reason. Same reason Bro. Chris doesn’t take a pay cut! Neeeext!!
Your di%^! isn’t big enough to ride tricks! Besides, you aren’t that important for me to have an issue with everything you say. It just so happens I think you’re wrong and represent a way of thinking that should have long since GONE AWAY. The Internet isn’t just for Facebook, it can actually teach you something if you only ask the question. For instance: How does business actually work? If you go into business and take a risk, why shouldn’t you reap most if not all of the rewards? Basic stuff tricks, perhaps you should graduate to Rasin Bran. Its for adults!
@tricks are for kids,
While on that subject, do you think the union management should take a pay cut?
I’m sorry but I just can’t see how getting paid to NOT work is a sacrifice. Times are hard for both employees and owners. The only way that Bermuda overall will get through this recession is by working together. This illegal strike does nothing to help these workers, nor does it help Bermuda out of our current economic situation. When all that produce and meat on the docks rot… what do you think the stores are going to be forced to do? raise their prices… then these same gentlemen who are complaining about SSL will be complaining about marketplace when a bag of apples costs $25! And Chris, who lives in a mansion, with no mortgage, and making big bucks off the backs of laborers is worse than the managers at SSL!
So what happens if SSL can’t pay the employees just wondering.
LOL
The cost of living goes up as SSL increases rates to clear goods off the docks. Then the cycle starts all over again.
Costs go up for importers
Prices go up for consumers
People start complaining about the cost of mayonnaise
Should be an interesting 2013.
I’m already complaining about the cost of mayonnaise … $7+ n rising. Hmmmm
Get rid of all those lazy bums. I know about 500 people who could and would do their jobs gladly even at the reduced rate and not complain. Don’t those idiots realize that this is a free-market system and everyone is down-sizing and they are lucky to have employers who are looking at ways to keep them on.
If it was me, they would all be home looking in the employment section of the newspaper and realizing that there are no jobs available for ex-dock-workers.
In a free enterprise system, workers are free to leave and seek other employment if they are not happy with the pay or conditions. They can’t just demand more money and expect the owners to find it miraculously. If the wages and conditions weren’t reasonable relative to the marketplace then the owners wouldn’t be able to attract suitable workers. That’s how the free-market system works.
Unions are not really needed, they are disconnected from reality and serve only their own greed for power and riches, to threaten owners to pay or else. It’s a form of legalized organized crime, where their members (or mafia) benefit from the threats to put a company out-of-business if they don’t pay.
Remember it was the union demands that crippled the local hotels and subsequently tourism. Also in the US the steel workers union destroyed the steel industry, and UAW almost destroyed the car industry, etc, etc. Unions have legacy of threats, disingenuous dealings, and business closings.
As long as there is the appearance of ‘worker injustice’ Chris Furbert and co will appear as though they are needed when really they are not, it’s called ‘union leader job security’.
These are the same ones who will complain when they go to the supermarket and the prices have gone up again! Because of this illegal action, if allowed to continue, will have the knock-on effect where everything on the island will increase in cost!
The unions all over the world are being done away with because of these types of actions,we can not afford to loose our unions.neither can we afford to let employers keep violating our workers,so both sides need to go to mediation through arbitration and let this be resolved.
There is still far to much greed in this countery at a time when people are unemployed into the 3000 mark and climbing,so be also remindful that many of us would love to be making the pay cheques that these guys are making.
The employers are greedy….belco is greedy….landlords are greedy….grocers are greedy…….etc.etc…
And I suppose u are not? Correct?
Actually I HAVE had to take a pay cut so I know what it is like…..I was also asked to forgo a years pension to assist with the islands debt….so no I’m not greedy….are you?….what have YOU done to assist the economy…..don’t try and “watch” me….worry about yourself. ….
Ah ha….Gumbermint ‘worker’. Hope you have been keeping an eye on the jobs section too.
Having a job is not a right. Having a job means your are part of the machinery that makes on organization work. A ‘COG’ if you will.
As we have recently seen non performing cogs get replaced.
Just by thr unecessary use of the word “Cog”…we know whereyour loyalty lies….
we need a Margaret Thatcher type here in Bermuda!
Work or be FIRED!
as for the biu and herr furbert and his gang of nobodies,the dock strikers will not get a single cent in strike pay.
like the plp ,the biu is FINISHED!..very few people are interested in anything the biu have to say.
When will those idiots get it, we are in a PLP recession. I doubt the BIU will care. HE GETS HIS.
How about Mr Furbert cut his pay so as to not let any member go? I am sure he can dig into his deep pockets to help one or some of his “brethren”.
It doesn’t really matter whether SSL is making a one dollar or a gazillion dollars. It is management’s responsibility to run the company efficiently. If there is less work to do then less workers are required. It’s as simple as that.
There is no obligation to keep workers on just because they have been there a long time. Structural unemployment is part of the risks associated with the marketplace. It’s nothing personal, employers can’t be expected to keep everyone on forever.
Businesses rise and fall and so do employment levels. It’s hard but it’s a risk associated with every job in the world. That’s why people become doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, they hope to avoid having to be without work.
It’s nothing to do with the cotton fields. The better the skill-set (and mind-set) one develops the better one’s chances of keeping employed. There’s no conspiracy.
Hmmmmn.
Maybe the new Immigration Department, in times of emergencies – like when essential services are being withdrawn – can quickly approve permits for foreign dock workers to come here to work/train new Bermudian staff?
Just wondering…
Foreign dock workers are experiencing issues as well…..and they are a strong union and support each other…so no that wouldn’t happen….
Shut the whole island down.
Never expect the whites to support labor anyway.
Another sickie.
I’m not white and I don’t suppport this at all! Don’t make idiotic statements, if you keep quiet the rest of us won’t know this about you.
Lay em all off. I need a job.
It is not just about the dock workers. The whole of BIU will stand UNITED!!! I personally do not mind if I am inconvenienced (I catch the bus occasionally) if it means supporting the union. By the way, I am not a BIU member (used to be BPSU before I retired) but I support them 100%. I am of the age that I remember how racist people were when I was a little girl in the sixties. I remember it well!!! Our forefathers FOUGHT for me to have the rights I now enjoy, and if we have to continue to fight for our rights so be it. If we don’t fight, we will end up right back where we were before. Management/Business Owners and what have you, in case you have forgotten workers HAVE RIGHTS these days!!!
So what are the rights being disregarded in this situation?! SSL didn’t go into business to lose profit or break even. The workers, if you ask me, were given a very fair option. Who wouldn’t want to be paid for not working?! I don’t have a job right now, I’m surviving off the basics right now. I’d like to get into the fire service if I can, 4 days on 4 days off would be great for me. My main aim is to get into the police because I feel I have a calling there. Those are 2 jobs with good pay and excellent benefits, but there’s no guarentee I’ll get into either and being realistic I’d take almost take any position at the moment. 22 hours of work and 37 standby for half pay isn’t bad and isn’t/shouldnt be forever. I understand what unions are about and what they have fought for but you can’t just fight something for the sake of fighting it, you need to be realistic. Aldrich could literally stick 2 middle fingers up to the island, shut down, live off the profit he’s made until now and where is the rest of the island left without his company? The union needs to get with the times, stop living in the past, and send Chris on his way because he clearly can’t adapt to his surroundings. That’s my opinion and I’m curious and open to yours.
Sensible and well said.
Your stuck in the 60′s…… oh boy! That’s a problem
No, definitely not stuck in the sixties. Who wants to be stuck in an era when we were treated as we were? You have clearly never experienced it, hence the attitude that you have!!! BTW, it should read YOU’RE stuck not YOUR stuck. Learn some basic grammar before you try to poke fun at people.
Missing an apostrophe and the letter E is a spelling error, not grammar, and yes your stuck in the 60′s
OWNED
Well you can’t spell because you did it AGAIN !!!
You obviously are stuck there, its 2013, remember it, but don’t dwell in it. I never experienced it personally since I was born in 87 but believe me when I tell you, NOBODY on this earth will take you or us back to that without the risk of me permanently disfiguring their face. Its time we fought together as people. If you’re against segregation then you shouldn’t have a problem with me fighting by your side. I see nothing here to fight. People are losing their jobs every day. The dock workers have been given more than a fair deal. How many people get paid to do nothing?! Layoffs could have been the first and only option. In my opinion this is just the BIU using their bully tactics once again at the islands expense.
I find it funny you criticize God1st’s name calling yet attack y-girls grammar. Mistakes have been made. I also find it funny you reply to her and not me where I politely request your alternate opinion.
In the words of 2-pac, “let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live, let’s change the way we treat each other.” It starts with us as individuals. “Things will never be the same, that’s just the way it is.”
Come Correct,I think my position was quite clear. You say you were born in 1987, therefore you would not understand. You have not seen the things I’ve seen or fought the fights I have. It has nothing to do with being stuck, it is ensuring we don’t go back there. You say you want to join the police force, well guess what? I was a police officer for over twenty years before I moved on to another occupation. You would never understand how brutal that was, especially working under white foreigners who thought they were better than you just by virtue of the color of their skin and their accent!!! Since you do not know what really went on (being you were born in 87 and all) how about checking out your history. This fight may seem trivial to you, so research what others fought for so you can enjoy things as they are now. It was not always like this, and if you experienced blatant racism (as I have) then you will not ever forget it. One final note, it is interesting that you mention joining the fire service or police service for the four days on/four days off and/or good pay and benefits. Nowhere in your comments do I see anything about looking for a challenging career or wanting to help people or to make a difference in the community. You claim you have a “calling” but your so called calling seems to be based on hours you like and a paycheck you like even better. You are about self, and not about giving back. That tells me more than enough about your character (BTW Police Officers shouldn’t permanently disfigure people’s faces or make violent threats either). I have said my piece, nothing further to say to you kid.
Thanks for being so resentful and taking my words complety out of context. So if I did research would I then know? Because I have. No. So your point to it was? Guess you got a bit upset huh?
and vj all suppose 2 feel sorry for u lkike ur burden de heaviest out there go 2 sleep
those who stand for nothing fall for anything!! united we stand devided we fall….. all for one one for all.
We need to even stronger then anytime in the past because the so called elite group have massive plans to try and destroy the unions of this Island. Forget not the sacrifices of our forfathers and all the blood sweat and tears they put into building the rights and benifits we so enjoy today…. I hope this is just the beginning of some mass movement by the union in this country to send Jack his message.
If you have a problem with employers, start your own business. See how that one works out for you. If you don’t provide a service that is in demand, no income. If you carry more staff than business will pay for you go broke. Is it really that hard to understand?
SSL is not a charity. Like any business staffing levels vary with work to be done. It does not take a degree in business admin to understand the basics.
wow,, some of these comments are so insensitive.. So because the economy is bad and these workers should be grateful for employment in these circumstances, should they be subjected to unfair policies?? These are people and the amount of people calling them Lazy is absurd, maybe they are, maybe they are not, but I can;t make a judgement like that based on a new paper article.. I grow more depressed with my fellow residents every day after reading these blogs.. Where is our humanity, respect, love, compassion for one another??? It may be a situation where Mgmt (SSL) is right or vice versa, but these individuals are fighting for their daily bread. Lets not be so quick to condemn.
On one hand you have a company offering to pay their staff for doing nothing, on the other hand you have the staff saying that since there’s less work they deserve more than 50 percent of their pay for sitting around on their behinds doing nothing.
Yeah, I’m depressed about some fellow residents myself. Where is the humanity, respect and compassion for one another within this small group who are, yet again, going to try to hold this country hostage because of their own greediness?
@ Impressive,
Unfair practices?? What like being paid not to work?? Yeah that’s pretty despicable of SSL! Especially when the alternative is being laid off with no pay. LMAO
Thanks for the idea BIU, I must now call all of my clients and demand pay for nothing, no need to guess how that will turn out. I do agree with you that the name calling etc… is over the top as we don’t know if these staff members are lazy and unproductive.
Bring them before the courts. This is illegal.
Can someone give Butch some speech lessons ….The best President they ever had( I was than a member) was Bro. Ottie.
Unfortunately the mentality of this current group is not impressive.
Bro Somner or Scott can do a much better job. I wish Molly would have been President, long before Burgess becam president.
Ottie earned the respect of both businessmen and the “wurkers.”
Chris is an angry dinosaur. Dangerous. Too emotional. Too much power. Too old school.
Wow, they have their own flag, pretty impressive.
Where was the union, when WEDCO decided to build prefab houses in dockyard. This project is putting many Bermudians out of work by building units in USA. Maybe if the materials had come across the Hamilton Docks, some of the lay offs could have been prevented.
Good point, they clearly pick and choose their battles, only difference here is WEDCO doesn’t effect the entire island.
Fantastic point Charles!
Hang on, I thought that Stevedoring were an essential service, in which case what about the bond that was ” forgiven ” with the understanding there would be no wildcat strikes, I don’t remember a time limit on that agreement and if the BIU don’t want to abide by this then please return the bond money you were forgiven you CAN’T have it both ways, this flexing of your ever reducing muscle can’t be tollerated in this day and age, for god sake 1968 is calling!, this doesn’t mean employers can do what they want, there’s enough protective legislation in place to ensure that doesn’t happen.
The odd thing is that the BIU insist of telling companies how to manage their businesses and yet the union are not capable of properly managing the dwindeling members funds.
There are a lot of good Bermudians waiting for employment and I’m sure most of that work requires minimal skill sets and wouldn’t be hard to learn, so be very careful as you set to hold companies and people to random with the much needed goods sitting rotting on the dock because a lot of the people who need the material and goods off the dock are BIU members who could be impacted
Y-Gurl-Are you a BIU member? If not, it’s none of your biz what is happening with the MEMBER’S funds! The BIU does not have to explain itself to anyone that IS NOT A MEMBER!!!
They still have to file their accounts like any other entity!
Sounds a little defensive. Sounds like the union executives who get paid all the union dues, sounds like THEY’RE telling the rank-and-file workers NOT to dovulge any info about how the money’s being spent… but at the end of the day, the union is just taking the money from workin’ men, and paying it out to Chris Furbert and his lackeys, and they’re not helping the workin’ man one bit! Is Chris Furbert saving any jobs that these union guys couldn’t save without him? C’mon union guys, where’s your money going? You think it’s gonna cover you when Chris Furbert says “strike”? OK, let’s see how THAT works out for ya!
Maybe Chris Furbert will house the striking workers in the mansion he is constructing in Warwick.
Guess not all Union members are feeling the pinch.
Bring in the regiment, let them take care of the containers
Works and Engineering could do it after they knock off around 10:45 am
lol
Yeah but then they have to get ready for lunch.
@ Y-Gurl, Double LOL
Furbert get lost out of Bermuda!! get out just like the PLP!!
to the dock works, you guys are a bunch of lasy B……. !! that all I can said!!
If i was Steven Doring Services, I would fire all of them, plenty Bermudians out of work that would love to be working!!
Min. Fahy… aren’t wildcat strikes in essential services illegal? If so, what will the consequences be against the BIU and it’s workers?
Good question. Looks like there may be a showdown at the Okay Corral. The People vs. the Union.
Bermuda is the only place in the world where the Labour party pays to keep the trade unions afloat! Everywhere else its vice versa.
Its going to be interesting now that the Labour party are out of power and the money has stopped.
If there was a continuous strike, i bet the BIUs funds would dry up after a week! The govt should put it to a test and see who collapses first!
Bring on the strike. Bust the Union and we’ll be better off. Fire them all.
Indeed, very silly.
Meanwhile the supermarket shelves are empty.
Entitled, entitled, entitled.
As already suggested, pull a President Reagan. Work or be fired.
Lots of others will be outside the gate looking for your job. Most of the jobs are basically unskilled. Plenty crane operators doing nothing these days. Plenty other heavy equipment operators too who will catch on to operating the container loaders real fast.
Nice easy work.
Mr.Furbert could put a lot of people out of work,for a long time!
Right … Because Bermuda just needs to hurt more. It’s a crying shame
As usual some people just have to believe whatever certain people say, no matter what, don’t even have to know and don’t wanna know the whole story. They just believe.
Everyone who has experience in heavy equipment operation should submit their CVs/resumes to Stevedoring Services. I know I would if I had similar experience.
Already emailed mine to SSL ! I’m an unemployed Crane Operator with 10 years docks experience in the US – and I’m NOT a Union member and never will be! Wish me luck
Good luck to you. I hope more do the same.
This is not indicative of right to snivell laws….LOL
Dain aftah lunch dine to KFC vee veal go , het dawn de hall an ummm throwbackacoupplapints. lol… Meanwhile Natasha and Borris are discussing the new menus … Rocky the flying squirrel soup … not far from the earshot of …. Bullwinkle the moose…
I love these cartoons.
I would declare it part of essential services and in violation of The Security of Bermudas people let SS hire in house replacements until the new application for reviewal was returned from arbitration sometime shortly after the next election LOL..
Who is chris furbert to tell someone how to run their own company?
You go Minister!! Now prosecute their butts. The people are with you!
I m wondering, would it be illegal for Stevedoring to outsource their work until this dispute is resolved? Surely someone can pull a small crew together made up of laid off crane operators, able bodied men and a good technician. Surely the dock is automated in some areas. I assume each container is clearly identifiable by code and one would assume that the ship is stacked according to certain standards and constructs. Hmmm…. I am just sayin. Might be an opportunity here.
I would say to fine the BIU for their illegal strike, but you can’t get money that isn’t there. Maybe brother Furbert will be god and pay it out of his over inflated salary.
Looks like the comments are going heavily against the union here. I don’t imagine they’ll improve when people feel the effects of the strike.
Some old folk at the hospital are going to get vexed when there’s no fresh food to be had, or toilet paper. If the workers were striking for something important, we’d all suffer with them to prove a point, but most people who have commented have used phrases like “whiney bitches” and “lazy union guys”.
If I were the striking workers, or worse yet, Chris Furbet, I would be really embarrassed when a young mother can’t get baby diapers, or a hospital can’t get fresh bandages. When he shut down KFC, he said he was ready to take a bullet for the workers, and we all rightly laughed at his childish suggestion — AS IF anyone cared enough about KFC to wipe thier dirty butt with Chris Furbert. Now that he’s shut down the whole island, he’s liable to get pilloried in the stocks in St. Georges, but he’ll probably imagine that he’s so important, NATO is targeting his house with ICBMs as we speak.
I would encourage people NOT to throw rotten meat and produce at Mr. Furbert when fresh food is no longer available, as these products could be useful as compost if they don’t come into contact with Mr. Furbert.
It is the SSL management team who should be embarrassed. They have neglected the workers for too long. You don’t get mad at your car for running out of gas do you? Also, you must think Chris Furbert came up with all the grievances these workers have. It is not his fault there is a dispute.
At Johnny…thats just it….many of the comments are from people who DON’T know the WHOLE story but are commenting on just what is being presented….all the name calling, personal attacks and the like are completely unwarranted. …..People need to understand that Chris is “working” for the dock workers at this juncture….its their grievances. ….not his……..its a lot more to this situation……..
@ Alan Gordon, Nato is targeting …. Lol
You all keep listening to that hot air bag Chris Furbert. He will destroy everything for you. See if he will take you to his house to live if you get fired and get evicted from your home. See if he is going to pay you the salary that you are presently getting or even the reduced amount to cover your expenses. Wake up Bermudians. This man is a joke. I find it amusing that during the reign of terror of the PLP, Mr. Furbert was always working to keep the peace and to convince the membership that they should accept some things that were handed down I.e. the pension debacle. Now that OBA is in he wants to come out like the big bully in the ring. Well, I hope that he don’t get knock out cold by his own Blind sheep during a traing match in the ring aka Union Meeting. Bermudians, it is time for us to get tough with what we want and not allow one outdated entity to make it worse for all of us. The Union was good back in the day when the stood for principle but today the have gotten rich off the backs of hard working Bermudians and in turn robbed them of dues that could have been used to pay a few bills. I think that a group of good hard working men should show up at the docks ready to work and show the others that we are serious.
Furbert is afraid that the Union dues will go down, and he would have to take a pay cut…
50% for doing nothing but standing by… is better the 0% for not having a job. There are a lot of people that would gladly take those jobs at those rates.
And to the others that complain about Landlords and IB… I am a Landlord, I worked with my tenant to agree the price. I work for an IB and haven’t had a raise in years… plus my benefits were reduced & taxes are up. So technically I haven’t had a pay cut, but I take home less money than I did a few years ago.
To execs at IB companies this us just another perfect example of an unstable country on very rocky ground.Not a place for long term investment.Not a place for business development and job creation.Who’s running the show…I suppose we are about to find out.
@ sharky,
Sadly you are right on point, Pity it seems many haven’t ‘got it’ yet, nor will they ever get it, not until we have descended to true Third World Status!! There is certainly an unmistakable attitude of ‘ if we can’t get our way, we will then wreck the whole place’ it is certainly dated but in Bermuda and with the BIU its just another day in the life. For the record in this economic climate what is being offered to the staff is damn good!!
While watching the interview on the news last night apparently to justify their position the Union where saying that the company was letting staff go while keeping supervisors “…. who are they going to supervise”?. Not many to supervise no doubt which means that those supervisors will have to pitch in on the ‘floor’ more, Duhh.
During this recession I’ve had to let staff go and I bet you know I didn’t let the Supervisors (my most skilled staff) go while keeping the less skilled staff. Simple really as we all do the same work boss, supervisors, Team Leaders and other staff … duhh!! Hello, this is a wake up call for the BIU are you there?? No? Pity.
It’s funny how these workers are saying they can not be replaced easily……are you serious?
Robots are the next big thing…maybe stevedoring services needs to look into that! LOL! I had the chance to witness some pretty big ports in th UK where computers do all the picking up, etc.
And not to worry when those machines break down, we can hire foreigners to fix them and maintain them (just like that big X-ray machine on the docks).
Why is it that no one is angry with SSL for trying to let people go before the arbitrary committee releases their findings. Thats the reason these guys did not go back to work. They aint gonna tell you that part. And you all just run with whatever this guy tells you! Why? Cause you all just hate your fellow bermudians for trying to get what they deserve.
@Johnny…..because they DON’T want to hear it……they would rather be like “lap landers” and run with what they’ve been fed…….I guess they don’t know about the letter the workers received……
What’s in “the letter”? Since you seem to know.
@ WTF…It’s not for me to say what the contents of the letter say…but just know that MY opinions are based on the content of the letter, as well as previous sacrifice made by the workers and not just what is being presented to the public….
Johnny and all – here in lies the problem – the assumption (sense of entitlement) that many a Bermudian worker believe they have in the right to employment.
Let’s start off with this truism; No one has the right to employment. They do have certain rights when they are employed, whether they are unionized or non-unionized but guaranteed employment is not one of them.
Any employer has the right to let go their employee when they decide, based on a period of notice being given when their position is made redundant or immediately if the employee is in breach of the rules governing the business etc.
The Union’s role is to ensure that any employer abides by the rules negotiated with their employees – under a collective bargaining agreement. Again guaranteeing employment is not one of those rules!
So any debate on the issue should start from the truisms above and on the information we do know about this case and not on what you think are the ‘entitled rights’ of employees.
Does that mean no food….?
No, Johnny. The workers did not go back to work because they failed to agree to a perfectly reasonable offer by Stevedoring.
Had they agreed to this offer we wouldn’t be in this position we are in now. They are greedy. It’s that simple.
An injunction was granted in error and was subsequently lifted, Stevedoring has every right to layoff staff that have no work to do, particularly since they were offered money to do that same nothing, and declined.
This means that the BIU workers were out of line yesterday when they went to the unplanned meeting and downed tools yesterday.
Rules need to be followed by both sides. Yet again, one side has followed the rules, the BIU refuses to.
I, personally, feel that Fahy is already too lax in dealing with this matter, but without knowing all the legalities involved, I’m willing to wait and see how it’s handled.
39 people holding a country hostage is not acceptable, and god forbid the rest of the BIU workers join in this illegal strike.
Would you take a 50% pay cut? I wouldn’t
Let’s hope one of these dock workers or their families don’t end up needing supplies off of one of these containers.
oops I meant …”Let’s hope none…”
Awhile back SSL made a public statement this was not about the ‘work ethic’ of their staff but rather the contract restrictions they can no longer afford. I tend to believe they are following the letter of the contract…and layoffs are allowed under certain circumstances and with payment due. We simply don’t know if the dock workers are promoting this action or ‘following’ Mr. Furbert’s guidance. Regardless it would appear they are the ones violating the existing agreement.
I used to operate large cranes on ships. It is not something anyone can sit down and do with no training. However there are a number of folks on this Island with heavy equipment/crane experience like my own. The BIU dock workers can be replaced (like the air traffic controllers were)with time.
The next possible evolution is for the BIU to stage a general strike in support (legal or otherwise)of the dock workers. This will damage us all…but we cannot continue to be held ransome at the apparent whim of the BIU. Perhaps the BIU membership should consider a change in leadership and put forward someone with a more reasonable, educated view who will represent them with integrety? At the very least they might get ‘some’ public support. At the moment they get very little.
Well now OBA, it looks like the public are tired of the BIU. You have the backing of the public to take a no nonsense, but within the law, approach.
Go to it.
SSL, same for you. Everyone, not on the Government payroll has taken a hit. As a landlord catering to middle income & lower middle income people, rents are down over 20%. This in a desirable area close to town. Look around & see how many rental units are EMPTY. The banks are having to foreclose mortgages. People are unemployed or on short weeks & these dockworkers want to get paid for doing nothing.
Get real!!!
Chris Furbert.you cannot get blood out of a stone.
Stevedoring Services,like all businesses are feeling the effects of the recession.Their fixed costs are drowning them,as imports drop.Cutbacks are being made so that the company can remain viable in these trying times.Now is not the time to gamble with Bermuda’s future.In the event this dock dispute is not settled quickly,the entire country is at risk.Foreign investors will run away,massive unemployment could be the norm.
You and the B.I.U. should recognize,that the field has changed. Gone are the days of over employment and massive profits.Level heads must prevail or all will be lost!
On another note,how do you and your union allow cargo to be discharged by non-union labour at other ports,when the people you fight for,are struggling?
Fire them all and hire Bermudians who will be quite happy with half a loaf. There are a lot of fathers who can’t feed there babies right here in our home, hire them.
Can you survive on half a loaf?
Can you survive on no loaf at all?
These guys have the whole island at a stand still. Why doesn’t SSL offer those on the unemployment line a chance to make a few bucks to unload those containers? I bet you’ll see a stampede down there.
The BIU needs to be broken if it continues to behave in a way that is extremely detrimental and unfair to the hard working people of this Island. Like Thatcher in the U.K., she recognized that one of the biggest stumbling blocks during recession was the power of the Unions and she stood up to them. Britain evolved into a better nation as a result, and economically became a power house as many services were privatized. The same needs to happen in Bermuda to a degree, business is struggling and unfortunately workers cannot enjoy the wages and benefits that once existed in our over inflated economy. Everything must come full circle and workers must realize that the organizations they work for do not have the incomes that they used to in order to pay the level of wages that they were paying before. If the workers, were behind their employers then with the right attitude and with their help business will hopefully recover over time and as a result pay and benefits increase.
There has to be an economic understanding and at the same time the ‘us vs them’ attitude has go to go. Stevedoring should look into replacing it’s staff with non-unionized workers that want to work and will work hard to deliver the goods to Bermuda. It would be a big statement in the face of Chris Furbert and show others that they should not be held ransom by Unions when others are out there looking for jobs.
Chris Furbert is poison to our economy.
Well said Bermyman! Agreed 100 percent. SSL replace your staff with non-unionized workers and let’s move on with our lives.
island wide strike coming soon
hopefully you complaining bit..es will leave.
and what you gonna do?
Hopefully racist fools like you lose their jobs and livelihood when the strike does occur.
Little bi–hes are people that will bring an island to its knees for their own selfish wants r because they didn’t get their way (i.e. teh Govt they wanted). I imagine you are one of them. Cause from your disgusting name to your hate filled posts you are the complaining little b–ch.
They have returned to work at the request of the Minister who has asked for a “cooling off” period until mediation…
Until medication…..
sounds more like the truth…
Back at 2:00pm and any work after 5:00pm counts as overtime.
let them eat WIND PIE for their nonesense..
these ppl think..that some fairy godmother will be sent by the Great SPIRIT and will make everything ‘IRIE’ for them!!!..here you have a small island like Bermuda with INSANE and MASSIVE NATIONAL debt(1.6 bil),tourism is DEAD, the IB is hanging by a thread,homelessness abounds,hunger is starting to show its ugly face… just look at the Salvation line,unemployment is skyrocketing,crime has taken over,NO HIGH ranking friends across the sea to SOS,NO develop.to generate badly needed FOREIGN revenue for the last 14yrs!,and yet they are carrying on with their HIGHLY DISTURBED and selfish a__es like they ALL ARE OBLIVIOUS OF REALITY!!
Where are these ppl brains? Seem that they are void of it!!!…can they see how vulnerable Bermuda is??..with no solidity in our econ.!!and we now depend solely on a fragile industry..IB!! and they are HELLBENT to undermine this as well with irresponsible and DUMB action..