Premier Meets With Trade Union Congress

June 24, 2014

The Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley convened a meeting yesterday [June 23] with members of Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC], which is made up of representatives from all the Island’s unions.

“A number of discussion points were on yesterday’s agenda, chief among them being the importance of fostering good industrial relations between the unions and the Government,” a Government spokesperson said.

“Other areas touched on included the recent announcement regarding the 10 percent grocery store scheme, public service reform, the MOU which Government and the BTUC entered into last year which saw the introduction of a furlough day and a 4.6 percent pay reduction for public servants, Government’s confirmed commitment to public education, and the need to ensure that Bermudians were given priority in the workplace.”

Premier Dunkley said, “Yesterday’s meeting was very timely and one of the things I stressed to the members of the BTUC was that Government is here to listen to their concerns.

“This Government recognises that Bermudians continue to struggle in this economic climate, and this was a key discussion point for all of us today. For my part, I pledged that Government was committed to looking at all of their concerns and doing all it can to try and ease the burdens that Bermudians are facing.

“At the same time, I challenged them as an organization to work with us in a spirit of partnership to find common ground solutions that will benefit their workers and the people of Bermuda overall.”

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Comments (20)

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  1. Poor guy says:

    Premier Dunkley,it is so refreshing to have a leader who cares about country first.

    • Steve Biko says:

      Ya ,but he and those in his circle don’t give a S…. about de Unions , nothing personal it’s just Historical!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Harold Gideon says:

        Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

      • Evie says:

        Blab blab blab it sounds good let’s see what they do SMDH

      • HMS says:

        Most people, myself included have a huge amount of respect for the unions. In fact, I was a member of the BIU back in the 90s. However, that was a very different time and a very different BIU. The BIU of that time was firm but fair. Todays BIU and leadership most people have zero respect for. Their power hungry, f the rest of the country attitude caused me to change my opinion of the BIU a long time ago.

        The rest of the islands unions, adhere to the rules and are there for their members and the people of this country.

        Sorry @Steve Biko – most people do care about unions and you might be surprised how many are members or related to members. However, you are partially correct, most people don’t give a S…. about the BIU.

  2. Chris Famous says:

    Sept 2013 BTUC agrees to 4.6% pay cut in a spirit of shared sacrifice
    Dec 2013 grocers give an extra 5% discount on groceries
    June 2014 grocers take back 5% discount claiming they cant afford the cut in income

    So what has the OBA done for the workers?

    • Yahoo says:

      http://bernews.com/2012/03/oba-donates-5-of-salary-to-charity/

      I still think they are way overpaid but, as usual, Chris Famous doesn’t let facts get in the way of his agenda.

    • Steve Biko says:

      What do you expect from people whom’s lineage is famous for stealing land from natives and broken promises, as a famous American Indiian once stated, They speak with FORK tounge!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Peter says:

        People whose lineage is stealing land from natives…….what natives are you talking about?

        If you do not like it here,living with us natives….then go back home!

      • HMS says:

        And @Steve what is your lineage? I assume you come from the purest of people. I trust with those racist comments you come from a line of people and from a country who’s people have never stolen, killed, raped, sacrificed, or been involved in slavery. You would be the first. None of us like to admit it, and many of us don’t know it, but if we all look hard enough we would find something.

        Many of us come from places far away where horrific crimes such as slavery, rape, murder still exist but we tell ourselves that if we don’t talk about it – it’s like it doesn’t happen.

        Wake up Steve. Don’t judge others for what their forefathers may or may not have done, but instead judge them for who THEY are and what they have done.

    • jt says:

      Well….they still have their jobs. Under the circumstances that is something.

    • HMS says:

      Chris Famous, since you and the PLP / BIIU have all the answers and know so much about business, the economy and care so much about the workers, why not open up your own grocery store and compete. With the great service, 100 sick days per year, high wages, work stoppages and low prices you can show all of Bermuda how it should be done.

      Oh, that is right, they did try that – the CO-OP Supermarket! What happened there again? Hmmmmmmm

      That is what I thought, it is so quiet I can hear the treefrogs.

    • SMH says:

      Chris Famous what did the PLP do for the people? Get it straoght once and for all that it is because of the PLP we are losing pay and won’t see a pay rise indefinitely. You are so disingenuos to the core!!!!

  3. Jo Blo says:

    Fingers crossed. Gotta be some give and take on this front.

  4. Ringmaster says:

    The OBA have failed to help Bermudians by stopping all those programs put in place by the PLP such as all food would be subsidized so it was free. Or is that just a dream? Does anyone remember what the PLP did do to reduce the costs of groceries, or electricity?

    • HMS says:

      Yes I know what they did to help, my families grocery bill went down tremendously when my wife lost her job after the PLP and their policies caused the company that she was working for to move services to Ireland and Canada. Because she didn’t have a job, we couldn’t afford to buy as much as we did.

  5. lifetime says:

    Dunkley! Too many photo ops and tv interviews! Ease up from the camera and get to work for the people!

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Kinda like DREB…inna. The difference is that DREB was nothing but talk & grand announcements about great things that were gonna happen…but never did. Seen any new hotels thanks to DREB? Seen anything of any substance at all?

      • The truth says:

        Stop worrying about DREB he’s not in charge anymore the OBA is the Boss now. The average resident has not seen anything new from this group. Oh yes we did see you get a new Premier. (SMILE)

        • HMS says:

          Funny??? You didn’t correct @Steve about his comments regarding someone’s lineage, but you want us FORGET why we are ALL suffering today. As long as my wife is unemployed – I can not forget the PLP years!