Video: BIU President On Ferry/Bus Law Proposal
[Updated] Bermuda Industrial Union [BIU] President Chris Furbert held a press conference today [Mar 4] on the proposed change to the Labour Relations Act that would classify public transport [ferries and buses] as an essential service, which would reduce the ability to strike without notice.
Mr. Furbert said the planned amendment [PDF] is “very concerning to the BIU,” and explained that when the Labour Relations Act was created in 1975, the Union saw it as taking away the rights of workers and taking away their right to strike.
“We see this as another impediment to worker’s rights, taking away the right to strike,” said Mr. Furbert. “For the Minister to say he wants to make buses and ferries an essential service is very concerning to the BIU, so much so that we will be having a meeting tomorrow at 11am with the members from DPT and Marine & Ports to let them know exactly what is on the table, with what the Minister is proposing.”
Mr. Furbert also said, “The relationship that we were building with the OBA Government, in particular Minister of Home Affairs [Michael Fahy] from my point of view is broken. The level of trust for me is not there anymore.
“He had a conversation with us about essential services….he could have at least had the decency to say ‘Mr. Furbert here is what I decided.’ His PS sends me an email two days before he takes a Bill to the House of Assembly, and thinks we will cooperate? I am sorry, I don’t work well like that.”
The 14-minute of Mr. Furbert’s full press conference is below:
Update 7.30pm: Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy commented on the proposed changes, saying: “It is important to note that Government is not trying to remove the workers’ ability to withdraw services should they not be satisfied with any progress related to a dispute.
“Government is simply looking to add public transport as an essential service which requires a 21-day Notice period prior to the withdrawal of labour.”
Minister Fahy’s statement can be read in full here.
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Articles that link to this one:
- Minister Addresses Proposed Labour Legislation | Bernews.com | March 4, 2014
- BIU Meeting Underway About Essential Services | Bernews.com | March 5, 2014
CF is an embarrasment. He should learn to speak. Sound like an uneducated fool – but then look who he is trying to appeal to.
So your saying those who he represents are uneducated fools, and because someone dose not speak the queens English they cant talk properly, seems like your the fool, Chris is well learned in labor negotiations and legislation, don’t forget that Moses couldn’t speak well either but his message was relevant.
So the next time you see the people marching for justice just stand on the side and shout out those same words how you feel.
LMFAO
Moses couldn’t speak well? Huh?
Obviously you don’t know your Bible!!!!!!!!!!!
And Moses said unto the Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Exodus 4:10
NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So what. It’s fiction.
I guess like Columbus discovering America . Nevertheless it’s your truth !
Does anyone believe that Colombus discovered America any more?
I don’t feed trolls , so do not try to hump my leg !
Columbus did discover America. It’s just that he wasn’t the first person there.
Correction he was the first European to discover America and by the way he was lost.
Columbus was not even the first European explorer to discover America. He was preceded by Leif Ericson in the 11th century.
Columbus never claimed to have been the first person to discover America. The fact that you claim people believe it says more about you than you think.
What a PATHETIC sight, first you accuse me of rambling and a nutcase until I proved you and Mike wrong and your best defense is(its fiction), typical O.B.A/ubp response, it sounds like, even though we were told three people were on Jet Gate and found out it was four and he bummed a ride and the relationship with Nathan Landow is irrelevant, but lets just get on with running the country.
Are you still foaming?
LMFAO
….where were you and what did your have to say when we had a PLP “person” in charge?
Foaming again, I see.
FLMFAORAOTFL.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. Timothy 2:12
I hope you live by that as well, Mazumbo.
The context of that is in Jewish culture women sat separate from the men and when they wanted to ask their husband a question they had to talk to get his attention and in the next verse it explains that Adam was formed first and the woman was deceived by transgression and not to “Lord” over men. And in some Eastern countries the women are still sub servant and what this gotta do with the issue at hand?
Who cares about “context”. Bible bashers quote little bits out of context all the time.
There are two creation stories in the bible. And they are not consistent [which is one of the reasons that Lillith appears in Jewish folklore].
Not my bible… I don’t have a bible.
But thanks for the lesson… I didn’t know that.
Hey Mazumbo , stop feeding the troll , cause like a dog he’ll follow you around Bernews and hump your leg whenever you post a comment .
Well I’m flattered I can help him get his rocks off !!!!!!
LMFAO
Well I’m flattered to help him get his rocks off.
LMFAO
Twice in one morning, what breakfast cereal do you eat?
Chronic !!!!!!!!
Chronic!!!!!!!!!!
Says a lot about your character mike !!! Buy a bible, heathen !!!
Moses was a drunk man who eventually led a group of people to salvation
Goes to show you when you speak the truth and have solid evidence of what you’re talking about, Mike Hind and Sandy Bottom use name calling and diversion as their defense strategy.
If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.
Malcolm X
You’re rambling mate. You’re even more of a nutcase today than usual. Are you foaming at the mouth?
Um not gonna wait for an apology but looks like I know what um talkin bout, Nutcase and wipe de foam up.
LMFAO
Obviously you not a Bermudian. Being that you title yourself banned. GLAD you are or feel “banned”. I have seen your insensitive, bias comments to often. Maybe you should move on with your life. That’s coming from a Bermudian.
Well, just because a person does not speak eloquently as yourself, it does not mean he is not smart or uneducated.You’re just coming across as an elitist dope.
Wow !!!!!!!!!!
Goodbye biu…the countdown to extinction has begun!
@ extinction has begun!
Who then protects the worker from bad employers. Or do you suggest there aren’t bad employers! Sounds likes the fifties and sixties, and Fahy know this exists. There are many bad employers!
Carefully, all unions are looking at this action, it could be them…so they will have a say!
The employer in this case is the government of Bermuda..
@ Lennie, what is your point? Employees need protection from ALL bad employers!
Now were gonna see all the Jim Crow supporters waving their flag.
Another racist statement from “Mazumbo”.
You are sickening.
Hey DREAMER if you know your History of Bermuda you would know of the segment that opposed and still oppose the Union.
Racist.
You’re disgusting.
“DREAMER”? Ha… The only one living in a world made up of his own hatred and rage is you.
You’re vile.
So your denying that fact that majority of the white community in Bermuda is anti-union?
Are you for real? In the USA, Canada, UK, most union members are white. What do think it is about skin colour that determines whether you like unions?
Who’s protecting them now?
No question there are bad employers. Problem is, the BIU is one of the worst, if not the worst, on the island.
It says alot about someone when they are happy or excited (if you may) that the workers are loosing their rights to object to unfair conditions and actions, it really does. I don’t like to see anyone inconvenienced because of lack of transportation, just as I don’t like to see workers taken advantage of..
But the workers aren’t “loosing their rights to object to unfair conditions and actions”…
And who do I get to object to when the biu get their panties in a twist and act unfairly? Or expect to get paid for attending ‘meetings’ whilst still on the clock?
They still have the right to strike. They just need to give the required notice.
Some of the most vulnerable members of society rely on public transport and when wildcat strikes are called these are the people that suffer.
Not only that, but buses and ferries are essential to our tourism industry. I don’t feel bad for the BIU. If they had used the strikes sensibly, this probably wouldn’t have come to this. But people have had enough!
Also, if the relationship between the Government and the BIU is broke, the BIU should look at its top people. A few days after the election, the BIU held a press conference saying they were disappointed. How can the BIU make such statements not knowing how their membership voted? They must know not every one of their members voted PLP.
Agree, agree agree. The rights are not being taken away, the only problem for them is they might have to abide by a agreed set of rules and NOT HAVE THESE INCONVENIENCING DAYS OFF ATTHE DROP OF A HAT. Get real Flubert, Can you hand on heart say they are not essential??
SHUT DE WHOLE ISLAND DOWN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, what an intelligent response. Well done.
Why does it not surprise me that @Mazumbo said that!
you talk like you are well off financially..maybe you don’t need to work everyday like most have to…and i say this because you sound as though you are confident that if Bermuda shuts down you will be quite comfortable while your brothers n sisters fight for survival with no income so i hope you are ready to share your wealth or risk becoming a victim yourself.
Go ahead.
You are all finished.
Who’s loosing their rights? They can still strike they just have to give notice. They will just mean that our school children , seniors and tourists won’t be stuck without a way to get home anymore because Chris decides he wants to hold a meeting at 2pm tomorrow.
Bring it dummy !!!!
So the strike tomorrow is not really a strike; its just another all day meeting.
It does not take away the right to strike and for Mr. Furbert to suggest otherwise is, quite simply, a lie.
It’s like there’s something completely foreign or absurd for the BIU to just give strike notice instead of going on wildcat strikes…
Of course he’s concerned, can’t get his members paid vacation time whenever he feels like it anymore.
Do furby says his trust with Fahy is broken. Ways broken is the trust in the biu. Get it right furball
So
The BIU would still have the right strike. They would just have to give 3 weeks notice prior to …which is what they agreed ANYWAY for the forgiveness of the performance bond that they couldn’t pay.
Push it through OBA ! The public has a right to depend on the PUBLIC transportation.
Chris’s first answer to the first question speaks volumes.
Basically, you can find a way around and make other plans to get your children to schools and yourselves to work.
There you.
He and his people don’t give a *****.
Now call 1-800-PUTIN-itwoks.net.
Shalom.
Let’s have a referendum to gauge the view of all voting Bermudians on turning the buses and ferries into essential services. That way, everyone can have a say, not just BIU members. If I were a betting person, I would wage a bet that 90% of Bermudians would support the conversion.
Let’s be very clear, the “Right to Strike” would not be lost; the only thing that would be lost would be the ability of employees to walk off the job every time they feel they have a grievance. Due process would have to be followed.
Isn’t it illegal to strike before 21 day notice? They don’t adhere to that either. What difference does this make?
DO IT! NOW before tourist season starts!
The fact that he feels this is concerning is quite funny. Yet he has no concern for the families of his membership when they hear that their mode of transportation, or their children’s transportation has all of a sudden stopped. Leaving them scrambling to pick up their children. He is not concerned about holding the island residents or the tourist captive. He is not concerned with anything but his self importance!
Exactly – my grandson who was 9 (and travels home by bus for free) was left stranded with no money in Warwick. His mother and Father didn’t know about the wildcat meeting / strike and so they didn’t know to get him.
Luckily, a family friend eventually saw him and took him home. I will never forgive Chris and the BIU for placing my Grandson in harms way!!!
No sympathy here from me and I’m sure I am not alone!!!
We know you “dont work well like that” because you think the only way things work is if only you get what you want!
If I cant afford a car with its insurance and TCD fees etc (which is very real in our current economy) then my kids rely on the bus for school and I rely on the ferry to get to work. So they are ESSENTIAL. They are ESSENTIAL during tourism season. But you dont care about tourism and our economy, even despite your little IB radio ad.
You are only “concerned” with your own interests and no one else!
I believe workers should have rights but its not fair to the Locals and tourists that the Union , puts them under hostage anytime they want and have a wildcat strike….
First of all Mr. Furbert, please do not say the trust is broken if it was never there. I don’t care how you try to convince others but the trust was broken when PLP lost, and I voted PLP so I don’t want to hear that I’m a OBA cheerleader. We lost, lesson learned move on and do better. Secondly, speaking as someone within Government I’ve seen plenty of times where you have called meetings with the expectation to have staff attend meetings, with pay etc with a one day notice to management and you are getting upset because you got an email two days before this matter went to the House? Doesn’t feel so good when someone springs up last minute issues and expects you to cooperate does it? Finally if the membership has an issue with a particular department fine, follow the cba, and if all other measures prove to be unsuccessful, follow the strike procedure in accordance with the cba, but the problem is you do not do this. Enough of this wild card nonsense. You nor anyone on this island should hold the people ransom and stop others from putting food on the table by getting to work, or disrupting transportation for one of our biggest sources of income,GUEST simply because some management and staff cant play together in the sandbox.
This is not taking away their right to strike, its curving your impulsive, radical 1960′s behaviour that you use to get your point across. You don’t always have to bring out big guns(striking) everytime your people don’t get their way. Since you can’t control your trigger finger, the laws of the land will have to because you’ve been firing way too much. You have no one to blame but yourself for the actions proposed based on your management and leadership or lack there of.
wildcat*
Nicely summed up Enough is enough………. I sincerely hope Chris Furbert and his union members read your comment so they understand why this is being done for the benefit of our country.
+ 1000
WELL SAID Enough Is Enough
Hurrah for the rights of ALL THE PEOPLE OF BERMUDA not just Mr. Furbert’s and his moods and dictats.
another betty wana bee HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA betty you’ve become famous now.
I do not know why the Government would care to be honest, the last walk out showed clear proof that the Union is ineffectual. The BIU can not afford to pay the workers because they have mis managed their funds, the last strike ended because they workers needed to be paid, the government has no obligation to do so because the BIU did not follow the collective agreement, simple as that. It has nothing to do with reviews, arbitrations etc. those are just talking point for the BIU to save face.
There will never be a prolonged strike in Bermuda again, no one can afford not to work and the BIU can not afford to pay the workers for strike pay.
the bigger question is why can the BIU not afford to support the striking workers financially?
What Chris Furbert is failing to understand is the BIU do not run the country. The Government are NOT under any obligation to get the approval or permission of the BIU and/or their members to run this island. This does not take away the workers’ right to strike, it simply makes the BIU more accountable for their behavior by giving 21 day notice of intended industrial action. For those of us who depend on public transportation to get our children to school and us to work, we welcome this bill. Maybe if the BIU and it’s members stopped holding us at ransom by withdrawing services when they are throwing temper tantrums, the Government wouldn’t see the need to take this action. Maybe it is time to update the Act of 1975 to serve Bermuda better in 2014. I am all for the rights of employees but the BIU and its members have pushed us all too far. The Government should not have to try to legislate behaviour as Mr. Furbert says, we as responsible adults should be able to behave responsibly, both employers and employees. Enough of this walking off the job when you are not happy about something. There are CBA’s, Company Handbooks and Employment legislation in place to deal with grievances and disputes. If we ALL act responsibly and abide by the rules no on would need to attempt to legislate anyone’s behaviour.
And following on from this will be privatization.
If it improves our product in terms of service, efficiency and opens up more opportunities, then that is a good thing isn’t it?
Privatization would be an opportunity for employees to have a stake in their business.
and so it should. quickly. Pity the poor company that tries under the present circumstances. Change is needed and that INCLUDES the leadership of the biu, to someone that is RATIONAL and not a little despot that has trouble with the ENGLISH/AMERICAN language when talking.
So very interesting – I do agree with having unions and a collective voice to speak for those that do not have any bargaining power. The majority of BIU (or any union’s) members need to have this voice.
However.
The irony is – I wonder if the government would even be considering this, if the BIU had always stuck to the terms of the CBA (ie not calling wildcat strikes) and been reasonable with their timing.
I hope the BIU membership is paying attention…Furby has brought the weight of the government and the legislation down on your heads.
Let’s face it, Bermuda is doomed. PLP wasn’t able to completely ruin us from 98 – 12. So BIU is going to finish the job.
2nd exodus from Bermuda to start very soon. 3rd world status here we copme Yippee!!
Don’t forget about all the finger pointing and blame after this happens either……not my fault, I had no idea…sound familiar????
Don’t listen to Furball’s groans, go ahead, no matter what!
If this goes thru , the MOU between government workers and government in relation to the furlough day should be rescinded immediately . The ruling party are proving themselves to be ruthless and untrustworthy .
huh?
MOU , memorandum Of understanding , an agreement between to parties .
Why? What has that got to do with giving notice before striking?
Everything !
Oh, you think agreements should be adhered to? Got it. How about the BIU adhering to the agreement not to strike without notice which it made in return for not having to pay the $7m?
You mean like that MOU when the performance bond was forgiven? Like that?
you mean the PLP/BIU?? I know, your bad………it was a typo…..what you describe is EXACTLY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PLP/BIU. Well said.
Explain how this is ruthless, please. What exactly makes is ruthless? I don’t see it.
And if the furlough day is rescinded, the government will let workers go to get rid of the added expense.
They’ll just have to eat of the Buffett table of financial aid , the families of many OBA /UBP have been feasting off of that table in different ways for years .
Oh really! How so? Please explain.
Fair enough. Start with the least productive ones.
Nice new suit Furbs!? How are the BIU financials coming along?
Great move by the OBA, push it through and make workers operate in a fair and sensible manner.
“He had a conversation with us about essential services….he could have at least had the decency to say ‘Mr. Furbert here is what I decided.’ His PS sends me an email two days before he takes a Bill to the House of Assembly, and thinks we will cooperate? I am sorry, I don’t work well like that.”
So when you decide to call you wildcat trikes and cripple the nation, damage our international image and threaten the government. It is OK to do so with little to no notification period. Yet you get riled about 2 days!? Guess you know now how the rest of us feel!
Bermuda will never attract inward investment and never cure it’s debt issues with the BIU. They are unwilling to work with the Government and they do not understand where their wages come from. They come from borrowed money and that money is paid for by the private sector and inward investment which to the BIU is the enemy. They want to bite the hand and continue to do so!
All that needs to happen is that the Government puts a fair employment act in place, enforces it on employers and then we don’t need the BIU.
We have one, and the avenues for complaint.
Sorry Chris – little sympathy here! Move along why don’t you ……
Furburt led the BIU to this, it is his fault. He sits there trying to put the blame on the members…he won’t take responsibility as the Leader….. isn’t that the kind of thing workers in the BIU despise ?
I agree, that you must have the rights to strike, but you also, in ANY DEMOCRATIC NATION IN THE WORLD , have to guarantee at list a MINIMUN SERVICE SCHEDULE either for buses, or ferry! You, cannot paralyze the whole island.
The BIU has been out of order since Ottie retired ……..You guys have been irresponsible for so long you think you’re right to get paid whilst out on an illegal strike for any little excuse. Now your gonna be forced to act right and like the rest of us…. you guys will have to fly str8 or be replaced by scabs….u don’t get paid for nothing if you ain’t working, and your irresponsible union can’t make up your salary loss. Go ahead Walk off your jobs again and you better keep steppin. no love from me
And why did Ottie retire.
There are lots of underworked truck drivers out there who would love a nice cushy job driving a bus.
Think about it. Sit in a comphy seat all day. Automatic drive, power everything, no need to secure your load, no getting out in the hot sun.
Almost as easy as driving a taxi.
If u dont want your Union to fall down its quiet clear to me that u need a new figure head! If BIU members cant figure that out yet well then there is something wrong with u! They guy tries to disrupt the government and the public! No respect!!
Communism al la Russia. Strike I think not or off to the gulag with you. Please someone tell me how can we JOE public get back at the union and inconvenience them to the state that they treat us when they have a little tantrum.
this is looking like the OBA has learnt from Maggie Thatcher how to sort out renegade unions.
he Unions LOST then as will the biu real soon,they had the chance a few years ago to do really great things for this Island,but they blew it,same as the defunct and extinct plp blew it.
First there must be a reason to strike. Hence if there is a reason, then a strike is the reaction. Businesses should practice proper ethics and business practices then there would be no NEED to strike.
Yes it is an unfortunate action which effects most for the lower class that needs it the most (majority population). However it also gives the people a power source to battle the injustice done against them.
Those who can’t see the neccassity of the BIU obviously are fortunate and don’t understand the lower classes. Not only fortunate but selfish, close minded and have never been through the fire of injustice.
But don’t you think that with the responsibility you alocate to the union comes the responsibility to conduct themsrlves appropriately and according to protocal? Surely such an important advocate for social justice must follow a moral compass, if not a legal or contractual one.
Very well said ‘enough is enough’. You hit the nail on the head. If it wasn’t for the BIU and all those unnecessary strikes this wouldn’t have happened. Serves them right. I hope it goes through in super speed. I’m even for privatization. Someone buy both the bus and ferry services and then shut them down completely, effectively firing the whole shebang. Then re-open with an entire new staff.
So I agree with Mazumbo, shut them down. then start anew.
I know two wrongs don’t make a right but it sure would feel good to read that headline.
The first thing the OBA government needs to clarify for us is what they mean when they use the term “essential services”. In my opinion, metropolitan transportation does not qualify as essential services.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines essential services as follows:
1983, the Committee of Experts defined such services as those
“the interruption of which would endanger the life, personal safety
or health of the whole or part of the population” (ILO, 1983b,
para. 214.
What is the OBA’s definition of “essential services”?
How much money do strikers get?
NOTHING from the biu….only friends n family get money.
Why do I pay for a monthly ferry/bus pass?
STOP…buy a pedal Bike,you’ll be much fitter AND you can use it anytime you want!
Have you seen how many pedal bikers there are in Bermuda in recent months.
I agree with nuffin, just stop using the transport so we can make the transport workers redundant vs having to subsidize a private option. Good financial advice nuffin.
More news for dummies and sheeple
Bermuda is the next Detroit in the making. Instead of the UAW, we have the BIU doing its best to turn an economic miracle into a long term economic disaster. Time to pack up and go before the feral cats and chickens take over.
Already happened but they are too blind to see. How many jobs in the construction industry no longer exist? How many jobs have disappeared since 1981?
Bermuda used to be the jewel of the Atlantic. There were more than enough jobs to go round. No more.
Didn’t think it could happen, did you? Look in a mirror to see who made it happen.
Fact
fakt/noun
1.a thing that is indisputably the case.
Bermuda as a country has been interrupted over the past number of years due to striking buses and ferries without proper notice, which has in fact put undo strain on a many of the population; including their personal safety, health or endangerment of their life.
Surely if these services were not essential they wouldn’t continue to be used by the BUI in the manner that has lead to this.
Someone needs to learn to pick their battles and someone else seemed to have done exactly this.
Maybe the BIU should be audited since Chris Furbert took over. Lets see if the BIU can support any of its members for more than a day or two if they were let go from their jobs. Good job Chris Furbert, the only things that you do right is be radical,not rational and fool the people all of the time under the guise of “i’m your leader”. I also wish that you were held to pay for the bond for Berkeley,and held to the conditions set out that let you off paying it, one of which was that there were to be no wildcat strikes, but how quickly you forget or how quickly you chose to call on some other excuse. Time to get another leader for the BIU,one who thinks before he shoots off his mouth.
Who wins from a strike? Nobody.
Who profits from a strike? Chris Furbert.
Is striking worth it? You do the math…