BIU President: “Her Bus Did Not Move”
BIU President Chris Furbert spoke about the actual accident that predicated this bus strike, and provided his perspective on it. Mr Furbert’s statement - which earned applause from members gathered – said the accident as the Ministry described it was a very unlikely scenario.
Mr Furbert said, “An accident took place, and if it was truly an accident you are supposed to have a police presence. My understanding is the police came, but only to direct traffic – so there is no police report, no pictures of the accident that took place. It’s very concerning that we have this situation.”
He continued on to say, “And this is my opinion, I honestly think – they are saying this sister’s bus moved in that incident. Her bus did not move. I am telling you that.”
“Because it’s not rocket science you know – her bus is on the inside, the other bus on the outside – so if her bus moved the people that’s walking in front of the bus get rolled over. You can take that to the bank [applause] So this report concluded that the sister that’s terminated her bus moved. Her bus did not move. I am telling you that.”
“Because if you are offloading 30 passengers from out of this door, and they have to walk across the front of this bus to get on the next bus – and only one person gets injured? From a 5 ton, 7 ton, 8 ton vehicle? You better pay attention, cause I’m paying attention [applause].”
Mr Furbert’s statement differs from that of the Transport Ministry, with the Ministry saying “that a Health and Safety investigation has determined that the operator was solely to blame for the accident.”
A previous statement from the Ministry of Transport said “In this particular incident, the operator in question was on route to Dockyard when power problems with the bus resulted in the driver pulling the bus into a lay-by and summoning a back-up bus to carry the passengers on to their destinations.”
“By the time the replacement bus arrived, a second bus, also on a westerly route had pulled into the bus lay-by behind the failed bus. The replacement bus was forced to pull up along side the failed bus, effectively blocking the western lane as passengers disembarked and boarded the replacement bus.
“The operator in question, upon leaving the disabled bus, failed to secure the handbrake and the bus rolled into the replacement bus and trapped the hand of a passenger that was attempting to board it.
“At this point, the operator rushed back to the bus and prevented it rolling further by opening the door which acts as an auto- stop mechanism. The Police arrived, took the injured passenger to KEMH for treatment and then instructed the operator to move on.”
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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News
Well, that explains it Chris. Thanks. We are all good now, FLIPPIN’ WALKING! Can’t somebody just flollow the money, the millions, and shake this nut from the tree? Chri$’s lemmings, eh?
Well, this is easily solved asked the injured passenger to give a statement, ask the other passengers who were present to give statements. If the bus did not roll how did the passengers hand become trapped, why was she taken to hospital??? Why is it that only Furbert has mentioned this and no other member of the BIU hierarchy has mentioned it over the last few days while Furbert has been off Island????
Agreed!
BIU needs to be “revamped”.
EXACTLY!!!!!!
Exactly!!! He really thinks we’re a bunch of morons to believe this cock and bull story.
It wasn’t mentioned because that he had to think up a story. The issue isn’t even about how it happened. The fact remains that an accident DID occur, and policy states she had to take a drug test. She refused and was justifiably fired. End of story.
Does not matter at this point! Biu and Harvey is wrong.
Why wasn’t this information given to us in the beginning??? This would have prevented a whole series of mistaken judgements!!! Reporters should stop perpetuating angst and disappointment!! Where was the testicular fortitude of the Ministry of Transport to have refuted the reports when they apparently had the reason for the accident— the missing handbrake. Do you ALWAYS apply your handbrake when you park YOUR car or truck? Are you drunk or high when you don’t? (Maybe you should’nt answer that
) There’s a thought – a yellow card for parked cars without handbrake on…..etc. etc..
Handbrake on a car? No. But if you undergo bus driver training, you should know that the answer to this question is yes. When a bus is parked and the driver disembarks and closes the door, the handbrake must be applied.
Maybe some don’t on their cars but the difference is she was responsible for other peoples lives on a daily basis. ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!
This man must be a compulsive LIAR, the spin is so dizzying.
Sounds like Bill O’Reilly on Fox News…
so how the hell did somebody end up with an injured hand and need medical attention?
That’s the point that “Brother Furbert” conveniently chose not to address.
Please Chris, tell us if the bus did not move, then HOW was someone’s hand injured? Oh, sorry, the whole thing was made up!! It’s an eloborate plot to discredit one bus driver! Do the BIU think we are that stupid?
It was two buses there and two bus drivers. Somebody’s bus hit the other,however; they only asked one bus driver to be drug tested.
Sounds like CF is trying to change history now.
Can we please hear from the person who was injured in this accident (or non-accident)? Or maybe hear from some of the passengers that were on the bus? And, brother Chris, it still doesn’t explain why she just can’t submit to a darn drug test. It appears that there is a very clear and present solution to the matter! Or am I missing something?
If not by accident, how did the tourist get hurt?
Whether or not there was an accident, all the lady needed to do was have a blood test and she would be back on the road.
It seems to a lot of people that maybe she is using drugs being she is so reluctant to have the test.
It is also looking like the BIU is willing to ruin whats left of Bermuda for people that are, let’s say, less than those of moral character: A legally drunk ferry driver, a PTB employee that commits fraud & possibly a drug users bus driver.
It’s saying: Join the BIU, do what every the F*%^ you please on the job, we’ll back you.
I agree. This is rediculous.
What is she got to hide, just take the test. What’s the big deal, what does it matter how long they took to ask her to do it. Besides what if it didn’t involve an accident and her job did a mandatory employee drug testing.
GET OVER IT
What does it matter about the lady’s hand or who caused the accident or whatever. How does that give the BIU to suddenly and without warning call a bus strike? What happened to being adults and talking out problems? In this time of economic hardship, the BIU is acting like a spoiled child and it is making me sick
Remember it was the decision of the B.I.U.bus drivers that made the decision to stike not Chris Furbert…. but Furbert should and could have remained calmer and less threatening …I think Furbert should resign and the sooner the better for the good of the country.
So how did the passenger’s hand get jammed? Oh lord….
Is it just me or does Chris seem a little “off”…those that applaud his improper use of grammar while trying to be smart and sarcastic must be just as illiterate as he is. Chris furbert in my opinion is unprofessional and “wears” his emotions on his sleeve..when he is angry you know..he starts shouting, ummmm ummmm starts stuterring his body language is off the chain and than he results to name calling….While there is often 3 sides to a story; HIS, HERS, and the TRUTH in this case..the passengers hand was injured some way some how.There may not have been an accident report by the BPS but I’m sure that there is documenation at the Hospital…Okay so protocal may or may not have been followed right down to the fine print..why the Hell can’t she take the follilce test? she is not going to lose her job because of it if she is found to have been abusing drugs she will only have to attend mandatory sessions at EAP so whats the problem? her rights? what about the rights of the public?? their putting their lives in her hand, who have entrusted
her to get them from point A to point B safely….Chris are you trying to make us believe that PTB are on some sort of witch hunt to have her lose her job? Puuhhhlease!!!!! tell it to Oprah why don’t you!!!! I’m paying attention but it doesn’t appear that you are paying attention and one doesn’t need rocket science to figure that out either!!!!
couldn’t have said it better myself!!
Ditto!!
I know why she wont take the follicle test: She wears a wig and doesn’t have any hair to pull and thinks nobody else notices that!!!!
Chris Furbert please shut up…You have become the Pied Piper in my opinion…
Did anybody take any notes, marking on the ground, or any pictures of this accident.. Did management attend to the accident? Did the bus get tested for break failure AFTER the accident? Did the police even know what happen? How could management even know who was at fault…… Hummm something don’t sound right!!!!!
And none of your questions or manipulative suggestions (author Pink & Blue) excuses the decision to outright refuse to do something which is a job requirement for this job description. Everyone who takes on a job that requires drug testing in whatever capacity, does NOT have the luxury of refusing to be tested under any circumstances especially if they want to remain employed. Gross insubordination is an acceptable reason for immediate job dismissal in any job description. The focus here IS NOT whether there is a reported accident or not, but the outright refusal of an employee to the employer to a request that is within the scope of that individual’s employment. I daily utilize public transportation and I expect the operator to uphold their pledge to conduct themself in the highest professionalism which maintains the the safety and well being of not only the passengers but also of themselves. The union officals and their representatives, in this case (shop stewards) should also conduct themselves in a professional manner by not encouraging behaviour that goes against every principal regarding employment. It is very evident that Mr Furbert and his team need to refresh their understanding of a Union’s role within a workforce community. Unions are to assist in the protection of it’s members against any willing exploitation of employees by their employers. This is not what has transpired over the pass months of this particular case. The bus operator has NOT been exploited by her employer; she has lost her job by her choice of insubordination to her employer.
BIU Reasons for strike: First it was about DPT managers dropping the ball (whatever that means), then it was about urine v hair follicle testing, then a shop steward told her not to, now its about her bus did not roll. which reason should we believe? this is ridiculous. Minister Lister don’t back down, the public will support you on this one!
The Union leaders are getting paid by your union dues. I hope the striking drivers have large savings accounts because after a few lost paychecks… umjusayin
excellent point, if thie were really the reason then why wasn’t it stated from jump and investigated within the first week?
Funny how this is the first time we’re hearing of this… I call bullish*t on you Furby. It’s sad that it took you this long to come up with a bullish*t story that doesn’t even explain how the one passenger was injured.
I hope you all strike long enough that the good drivers (and there are plenty) cross the line and the incompetent, rude, high and/or dishonest drivers are out of a job! BIU is a joke and so is Furby.
LOL its not even a story… its simply “it didnt happen, i can tell you that”.
there is no alternative story..i was definitely waiting for one though.
Sir, with all due respect, STOP CLOUDING THE ISSUE!! The fact is that the lady was fired for failing to submit to a drug test after being asked to do so numerous times. Why she was asked is basically irrelevant now. If my boss / Company asked me today to submit to a drug screen I would do it immediately. Why? Firstly because I have nothing to hide, and more importantly, because I value my job and would like to keep it. You have the Island at its needs because this woman will not submit to a drug screen and now you want to play semantics over some accident she was or wasn’t involved in? Please, save this arguement for people more stupid than me…
BULLSH*T. Two days we waited for “Her bus didn’t move.”
How can Chris Furbert hold onto his job? This man who appears to constantly make poor decisions and can barely string two words together must have a below average I.Q. Hopefully the Government will not cave in to these demands from a man who does not appear to understand or care what this strike is doing to Bermuda.
Did anybody take any notes, marking on the raod, pictures of the accident? Did management attend the accident? Did the bus get tested for brake failure? Something don’t sound right. Trust me if a bus traps your hand, arm, whatever you can say good bye to that limb.
Apart from being painful to read “So this report concluded that the sister that’s terminated bus moved”, this raises more questions than it answers.
Dumbass.
i try and stay clear of politics so this is the first time i’ve ever heard chris furbert speak…is he serious? is he educated? is HE on something? WOW! that 53 second clip above was more than enough of that voice!
I totaly agree. Take dat one to de BANK! My goodness, He just made me ashamed to be a Bermudian.
Sounds like he’s trying to throw the other driver under the bus now…
I was thinking the same thing.
well it looks like derek Burgess did a good job in relaying the answer chris should have
gorilla warfare
WHAT KIND OF CRAZY TALK IS CHRIS FURBERT RAMBLING ON??? Did he really utter the words in his statement as recorded by Bernews:
WORDS LIKE “the people that’s walking in front of the bus get rolled over”
Are you kidding Mr. Furbert “ROLLED OVER!!
” 5,7 or 8 ton bus and only one person got injured”
Really ” ONLY ONE got injured, should there have been more injured!!!! The woman was blind. Have you forgotten that!
What the Hell does he mean by those rediculous statement.
His stupid analysis are so FAR OUT..No wonder the union is like it is, with a leader that speaks in riddles!
She was blind?
The lady who got injured was blind?
OMG thank you for that laugh… I was stunned myself. You should hear the entire address if you haven’t already it is truly shameful. Everyone knows you shouldn’t begin a sentence with “because” and that is just the beginning….. He is supposed to be the head of the union speaking as if he just came from Parson’s Road graduating at the bottom of his primary school class…
smt give me a BREAK Furbert… Even if he had something of substance to say (which he CLEARLY does not) I would be distracted by his inability to speak and properly address the public, nobody is saying that he should take the test (which maybe they should) so why does he have to be so angry?
I just got word Chris has a bridge for sale, and some sky hooks for 50% off at Dreamers Plus.
I wish that when we are commenting on issues we could leave out making disparaging remarks on a person’s looks, voice, IQ etc. It is often disrespectful and doesn’t help to have an objective discussion on the important matter at hand.
First, Furbert couldn’t even spell raspact. Secondly, we have a man of limited intellect in a position of unuusal power, holding the country to ransom.
agree
One of the issues, Kim, is that Chris is makig no sense. He does not speak well, don’t get that twisted, and because he is reacting emotively, his speech is worse. He is changing the goal-post and making excuses. It seems as if something is being hidden OR they think they could stamp their feet, when things don’t go their way and hold he country at ransom.
Regardless of what happened, the bus driver, did not do as asked, so I guess she does not want to work. I can guarantee you that there are hundreds of unemployed people who would not mind training to be a bus driver. I do not want a person without integrity transporting anyone around.
Why should a bus driver be different from the regular Joe who gets in an accident and is possibly under the influence? What about the other people on the road driving: they’re definitley not safe if she is operating that huge vehicle under the influence. Rules are rules. Take the consequences.
These people do it because they think there better then him and smarter. Probably all white people using Bernews to vent there frustrations knowing no one knows who they are.
They most likely dont work for Government or never have, dont use the Public transport and have only voted for the UBP. These same people probably never liked the BIU or PLP since day one and if they had power over this situation they would fire all the disgruntled bus drivers and hire forgieners further escalating Bermuda econimic and unemployment woes.
aside form your comment, what do you think of this situation (RACE card is played out). If Bermuda was all Black what would you say then?
Probably something like they are sell outs or something like that?
Get a life! Seriously
Sorry but I disagree with you. I AM BLACK. Chris is changing the story and to say why did no one else get injured… the injured passenger was BLIND! Perhaps, just maybe, the others could see what was about to happen and moved! PLEASE STOP PLAYING PEOPLE FOR STUPID.
Secondly,as a Union leader he should not be threatening not to represent his union dues paying members in the future who are not in agreement with the strike. That is a spiteful and biased position which should require that he be removed from leadership.
The only woes here are your abject ignorance, xenophobia, grammar and spelling.
wow you should be ashamed of your comments. Open your eyes and ears dear “Street Talk” and listen to this man you are trying to defend. He is destroying the meaning of the Union and all that it should stand for. It has nothing to do with race or employment but everything to do with the people of Bermuda. As a young BLACK Bermudian I am ashamed to see that people like you really think this way. All those who support Chris Furbert in this ridiculous strike should be fired and replaced with people who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis and NOT because they failed to adhere to the LAWS and the contracts that they signed…
@ Kim Smith: You are exactly right! Let’s disparage Mr. Furbert entirely on the basis of his poor judgement to strike on this issue, and his ill conceived defence of BIU members who have egregious disregard for their employment contracts. His “looks, voice, IQ” are not the issue at all, however they belie his credibility as a legitimate leader. Mr. Furbert is misleading Bermuda, and most importantly setting the expectation of Bermuda’s youth that you can break rules, violate contracts, double dip, call in sick and still go to work, falsify records, and still not be held accountable for your actions. Mr. Furbert, is THIS what you want our youth to “take to the bank?”
At this point I don’t even care if there was an accident or not, if she was under the influence of some sort of drug or not. There was a ruling. Whether it was a fair assessment or not, she was ordered to take a test that would possibly vindicate her or get her some help. Her job was not in jeopardy. She refused repeatedly. She needed to be fired. Chis Furbert is a thug. You can be a union leader without coming across as a pitbull.
I wholeheartedly support public transportation as a way to reduce the number of cars on our roads. I don’t own a motorized vehicle myself. That said, I already ride the bus as infrequently as possible. This type of silliness makes me want to never step on a bus again.
Perhaps I need to be a bus driver or a unionized worker in order to get this, but I do not understand striking to support someone who is clearly in the wrong. Even if she is not guilty of what she has been accused of (as stated by that idiot Furbert) she is in the wrong here.
Feel like I’m listening to Seinfeld!!! The lack of intelligence of this man is incredible! The idea of one man one vote is very much flawed when one sees such distorted logic and reasoning!
Wow!What a real Apple, Sugar & Spice = AS*.
Mr. Furbert PLEASE go to speach classes – RADIFIED is not a word, should be ‘ratified’ and ‘wa got” ??? I hit ‘repaly to hear a list of incorrrect pronunciation of words from a Leader of the Union.
Please Bro President both you and Glenn simmons. Enough is enough it time for the both of you to hang up your hats run off with your personal gains and allow us members to oppertunity to bail our union out and restore its name. Our union motto no longer has any meaning to it. UNITED WE STAND DEVIDED WE FALL needs to be changed to DEVIDED WE STAND UNITED WE,VE FALLEN. This is a very sad day never have we seen such devision as we,ve seen under your leadership. I imagine all our forefathers doing flips in thier graves. It would a true pleasure to see Brother Ottiwel Simmons return to the helm at least he always had the respect of even those who opposed him. Your attidude and body language say it all and your setting a poor example for the membership because of your actions they beleive no matter what they do its ok because you will defend them at all cost. AS I said enough is enough Chris and dont forget to take your cousin Laverne with you when you go.Somebody must have put a muzzle on her because we,ve heard absolutely nothing from her.
LOL, Where is Laverne, Mrs. Public Defender!!
Maybe even Verny is smart enough to know that the BIU is off base here? If the Great Defender can’t muster the courage/strength to blindly defend the BIU, her cuz CF must be waaaay off base.
Maybe she wants to comment, it’s so unlike her not to, but she’s been muzzled by Cog?
Or perhaps she is working on being the next BIU leader. A scary thought indeed.
Why did the cog make her a senator ?and else for Cromwell Shakir !!!these two are the worse speakers in the senate….( words like “you know” and amum and de instead the)…but I guess the premier had her reasons…….
I was just thinking that – Where is she? Awfully quiet for a loud mouth.
Maybe just maybe getting the BIU books/accounts etc in order. One/the country can hope.
One thing strikes me funny. Chrissy keeps saying he came straight from the airport to the Union Head quarters. Well where else and who cares. You should not have left the country in the first place with such a mess that you and your guys created.
Embarassed Bus Driver, I agree with you wholeheartedly however be careful what you wish for because the individuals waiting to take his seat are no better. They are keeping quiet hoping that this would be his demise but without calling names they really act the same if not worse. Most of these ‘Industrial Dispute’notices and actions have come when he was off island. Where are the organisers in all of this. Don’t just point out him and Simmons you still have the executive council who is well aware of whats going on. Its the same old saying ‘we take direction from the members’. What I would like to encourage all disenchanted members donate their dues to a worthy charity. There are a lot out their that need assistance and the money would be going to a worthy cause.
“Umm tellin you dat” Hey CF I am ” Paying attention” too. First off I can not “take anything to the bank” because the buses are not running. Secondly with the economic decline not sure if I want to as you are helping cripple the island even more. Don’t want my hand get injured once the banks crash by your “5 ton, 6ton ooh sorry 8 ton bus”. That speech was Amazing! 1. Context 2. Tone 3. Presentation You are telling me that you have been off the island all this time and could not have written a better speech then that. I am sure you were briefed on the situation on a regular basis.
Ok. Now I understand why the strike…. So the woman’s bus didn’t actually move. Ok then. Chris, cmon. Be serious now. Stop cracking jokes on a Friday morning when admittedly, people so desperately need a laugh. Hahahahahaha!! This is hilarious.
Sidebar: Though this is a most disgusting situation Bermuda is facing and it needs to be resolved quickly, there is nothing to be gained by ridiculing Chris Furbert in terms of his speech, body language etc. Shame on you folks for being so rude and Bernews, you don’t have to allow such comments to be posted.
Ya stupid!!
So the woman that hurt her hand must have seen an opportunity to maybe file a law suit. She waited for the bus to get in place , then she ran into action by faking an injury to her hand although there was no way for the bus to move and run someone over.I think Mr. Furbert is a story teller and should probably be writing novels or fiction books maybe something a-la James Bond type stuff. Just sayin.
It doesn’t matter if the bus moved or not….take the drug test! How can anyone support someone who won’t follow clear cut rules and policies? Please Minister Lister, stand firm!! Enough is enough.
I second that.
I agree. Although now she doesn’t need to take the test. She got what she needs right now – to be without the job.
She has a job at the Hamilton Princess as a maid, according to another Bernews poster.
Yeah, I know that was her other job. Not a very pleasant person by all accounts. Just sayin’.
Stand firm Minister Terry
Chris, please shut your mouth before you make yourself look even stupider than you already do. And, trust me, you look VERY stupid right now.
Couldn’t have said it any better!!
He may look stupid but the girls going to get her job back. and he will still be earning six figures! for a long time to come, now who is having the last laugh, not Lister that’s for sure.
Chris the issue now has moved on. Obviously you have lost the plot of the story.
Chris, she didn’t take a drug test. She’s fired. End of story. Nothing is going to bring her back. She’s gone. No one wants drug addicts running around crashing buses.
Or, to put it into words you would understand, “the sister who got terminated ain’t going to be rolling over no more peeps no more because she ain’t a bus driver no more”.
This man is clearly insane.
I people wonder why all of the international companies are leaving. Down 10% over the last year, the ones that are staying are sending their kids overseas.
With people this stupid running the unions and the members not getting rid of them, it makes it hard to want to stay. This use to be a great place 25 years ago.
if the government gives in, then it is time to leave, since the idiots are truely running the island. If someone got hurt on the bus, then there was some kind of accident.
Don’t want to be like the US, but maybe the public should file a class action suit against the BIU for breaking the terms of the agreement and to recover the costs of taxis, and gas. Then CF will see that the majority is aginst him
“It is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
Chris maybe you shoulda taken a page outta Laverne’s book on this one “Brother”!
Problem with your story Chris.
You disembark from a bus on the LEFT side. Not the right. The bus that pulled up next to her would also have to be on the left. So the passengers actually had no reason to go in front of the bus. Try again.
Ah, well..”the bus did not move”. We have Chris Furberts word on that & we know what his word is worth. Right???? He would never ‘mispeak’ aka lie. This has all been a big misunderstanding. Lets all go back to work & pretend it never happened.
Keep talking Chris. Sooner or later, probably later, you will say something that makes sense. Something like ‘I resign’.
Chris Furbert should take a drug test.
HAHAHHAHAHA! Comment of the day.
Piss in the cup lady and let Chris Furbert hold the cup for you.
Forget the histrionics! Let’s disparage Mr. Furbert entirely on the basis of his poor judgement to strike on this issue, and his ill conceived defence of BIU members who have egregious disregard for their employment contracts. His “looks, voice, IQ” are not the issue at all, however they belie his credibility as a legitimate leader. Mr. Furbert is misleading Bermuda, and most importantly setting the expectation of Bermuda’s youth that you can break rules, violate contracts, double dip, call in sick and still go to work, falsify records, and still not be held accountable for your actions. Mr. Furbert, is THIS what you want our youth to “take to the bank?”
First off Mr. Furburt, If someone got thier hand caught between the buses, obviously the bus moved. Second, we you actually present at the time of the accident??? You are a complete @$$ to sit there and support a woman who had no intention of taking a drug test (because she probably smoked a joint that day) whilst you were not even present at the dam accident! ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
How can this “Sistah Harvey” sleep @ nite…….??!!
By gettin High and passin out…..
Hey Chris….those delinquent BIU Financial Statements have not moved either…
2nd place comment of the day…
So tell me something, if the bus “didn’t move” and the BIU and all its management are sticking to this story (and possibly the idiot who was driving the bus) then WHY won’t she take the damn test??? Sounds guilty if you ask me…
The bus didn’t move – it was the earth that moved below the bus, therefore pulling everyone on the earth (and the lady in question) towards the STATIONARY bus. Chris is thinking outside the box. That way he can argue that the bus didn’t move – it’s just that everything else did. So the bus isn’t at fault, therefore the driver isn’t at fault – it’s EVERYONE elses’ fault. QED.
Chris Furbert and the Union make me embarrassed to be a Bermudian right now. They are a bunch of spoiled brats that will not stop until they get their way, even though they are 100% WRONG! To be honest after the last bus strike I lost everything for the union, and the PLP the can both kiss my A**
If de sistah’s bus didn’t move, and we already know the other bus was stationary, then there obviously was no accident at all!! So the entire thing was obviously made up by DPT, Lister, the injured tourist – because they all wanted to fabricate lies about this woman to get her drug tested and ultimately fired. Some people are just evil!
Fumbler should have mentioned this in his rant but all he said was de sistah’s bus didn’t move. Funny thing that – cos that’s what caused the whole issue – de sistah’s bus moved!
Fumbler obviously has a wild imagination – but he ain’t gonna change history. What’s he going to say next? That the letter T on the end of Christ never existed? So that would be Jesus Chris then!
We are all tired of this nonsense.
Wherever the arguement currently (not corrently Chris) stands, it should have never come to this. It should have been dealt with internally and swiftly, and not holding a country’s transportation at ransom.
Our transportation system needs to be non-unionized.
Chris, keep your backyard style of debate to the backyard. Do the whole country a favor an resign immediately and take some english courses.
Does anyone know how the injured passenger is doing?
I am so impressed that Chris Furbert’s resume has now had “Accident investigator/expert” added to it. He is an expert on everything it seems, accident causes, polls and what constitutes a majority included.
Why won’t he face a few hard facts, things aren’t always as he sees them, especially in this case.
For weeks it has been pronounced by investigators and accepted by everyone that the bus moved and caused the injury to the passenger. Mr Furbert comes back to the island and rewrites the story based on what?
Get Real please!
Yup right under the position of HEAD A$#HOLE IN CHARGE!
Chris Furbert seriously needs to go to speech classes! Whenever I hear him speak on the news, I cringe, his speech is terrible! The “um ums” and the “wa got” have got to go!
Chris, you’re an embarrassment!
But please do tell me how much you paid to get your job…I’m about to head to the bank to get a loan!!
Earlston Thompson ( I believe that’s his name) good for you and the rest of the bus drivers who have returned to work to service the public…
F.Y.I Chris, that’s what PUBLIC transportation does…service the public! So get back to work,and stop making yourself look any more idiotic than you already have…brotha!
So may I ask what happens from here?
Do buses stay on strike?
are they ordered back work?
Like what now, does not make sense talking to Chris? we all see where that gets us as Chris would say “and you can take that to the bank” trip to the Bank we cant take no buses. please grow up.
Should have never voted him in the BIU…..we still waiting for the PHC Club to be built Mr. President. um jus saying.
i have to say 1st things 1st. chris furbert needs to take a public speaking class. this man makes bermudian look less inteligent the way he speaks. next how is it taht he is the only person to date to say now that her bus did not roll. he needs to step down and get it together. stand you ground government this woman deserved to be fired and that’s that.
Just last night someone was saying you never know when your time is up. You could live another 40 years or get hit by a bus tomorrow. I smiled quietly to myself knowing that the probability of being hit by a bus today is relatively slim.
That sound bite is typical of the following:
Moron = is a term once used in psychology to denote mild mental retardation.
Mental retardation = is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors. It has historically been defined as an Intelligence Quotient score under 70. Once focused almost entirely on cognition, the definition now includes both a component relating to mental functioning and one relating to individuals’ functional skills in their environment.
Brother Chris, The passenger’s hand or arm was crushed. If the sister’s bus didn’t move into the bus that was parked on the outside…. How was this possible.
If the outside bus crushed the ladies arm, there would have to have been something on the other side of the outer bus to trap the arm …. um jus sayin.
haha l am starting a page on facebook called “bernews..what they don’t want you to know” as l know several people write in and bernews is screening (censuring) bloggers comments.
I will right the same in The royal Gazette so look out for page against Bernews!
Sorry, but the comment you keep trying to leave under the other name is one I cannot allow as it could be seen by some as libelous, and I can be held responsible for comments – not the commentators.
The one starting with “Again, now we all know why CF was “away” visiting his family…”
Its a strong, strong allegation that no one else has mentioned and if you have anything to back it up plz email in the proof and I can print it.
For the record, Mr Furbert and the BIU get hammered by Bernews readers constantly [see this thread as a fine example], and they don’t complain and always continue to invite us to press conferences – so I am not blaming them.
I prefer to stay on the right side of libel and defamation laws, in the interest of keeping Bernews going as I have worked extremely hard to build it. When making strong and unproven allegations, best to phrase things in a way that is legally permissible. ‘Allege’ rather than ‘say’ someone did it etc.
Patricia
I can understand that top a degree, however, this is a blog and everybody should have the right to state there conspericy theories……..mine was an excellent one and everybody should be allowed to see it.
Everybody in here has bashed him. And said things they “feel”.
these things may not be true even, however, one must be allowed to judge for themselves given all the different statements made by the persons in question here.
How is it my comments are in question?
I see consperacy theorist bashing President Obama all the time, its called freedom of speach, is it not?
But l will listen to your advice and put words like “allege” if that somehow makes it better.
Thanks for the understanding. Just have to stay within the law…
To sidetrack -Take the Kevin Warner murder trial. He had previously stood trial for murder and gotten off. None of the island’s media was reporting that, as we legally could not.
We had nothing under 30 commentators through the trial leaving comments saying as much and accusing us of censorship. They were stating clear facts – he was charged before. We couldn’t allow it even though it was 100% true.
If something doesn’t go through many times there may be some strange legal reason why.
Bullsh!t! What was the applause for? What Chris F said makes absolutely no sense. And you people have this man representing you? Get your membership fees back. Times are hard, you can use it at the grocery store.
THE ISSUE IS SHE FAILED TO TAKE A DRUG TEST. WHO CARES ABOUT THE HANDBRAKE!!!!! TYPICAL BIU BULL
this ideology being displayed is the EXACT same thing that has been professed by our fellow countrymen for many many years. I can assure you that this did not happen overnight.
we are now realizing as a country that just sitting around for the status quo isn’t good enough.
we as a country are starting to act like our cousins to the south (the ones where everyone is a fellow countryman – not a black or white first).
everything happening to Bermuda affects BERMUDIANS and this situation and many others is nonsensical.
we are trading insults about lack of public stature on CF’s part – making us no better than CF himself.
piece of advice – CF’s style of debate seems to be acceptable in the eyes of the public (the public that supports him) get over it people. it isn’t the issue (just a sidebar to the real issues).
we need a paradigm shift as BERMUDIANS.
we are so used to being oppressed (or at least letting ourselves believe that we are oppressed). for crying out loud……..when we had legal segregation people developed this country at a rapid rate. move forward 30-40 years from 1950-60s and we became complacent and now are reaping the (lack of) benefit.
a lack of generational forward planning on a national level. look at some of our progressive cousins in other islands or even the motherland (have lived in both areas- and not just for a holiday)- they have planned for bad times during bad times and prospered during the good.
then look at US?
spoiled brats (the minority) that make the majority suffer.
we will die a painful generational death regardless of how many TIEAs we sign with Czech Republic and Timbuktu. the country is going down the tubes with 60 mil overspends, free essential services given to the people one year and the next year cost of living skyrockets the next with a withdrawal of some of these services the next year as we realize WE CAN’T AFFORD IT and NEVER COULD.
and the buses go on strike.
just check out trip advisor dot com and see our reputation go down the drain
check out these threads on the internet:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=30219274
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147255-i208-k4742123-Bus_strike_August_2011-Bermuda.html
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/drama-queen-bus-driver-refuses-drug-test-starts-biu-bus-strike
Sheep led to the slaughter…smh
Can I make a suggestion to the Minister. Sir if you are reading all of these comments, Can I make a suggestion? You, i’m sure, have the power to ask the hospital for an accident report on the day in question….Can I suggest you ask the police to provide a report of activity that day and ask the hospital for records of patients treated that day with injuries.
Sir, I think you may want to take the time to investigate as best you can to present to BIU. This will give you even further backing from the public. There are ways of getting information, especially with someone of you stature, that would make this an open and shut case. Stand you ground sir! You have our support in this one.
I need a rum……………………………..
Chris Furbert attempt Jedi mind trick. What’s next, vulcan death grip for all the non-believers? Honestly, this is beyond silly.
Class
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Thank you Mr Furbert for clearing the whole thing up. If only we’d realized that the bus never moved then none of this would have happened.
Guess it makes a change from the usual race card.
Mr Furbert can hire me to edit his speeches to ensure they are gramatically correct but I can only pay him with a 3-zone bus ticket to travel to and from work until the bus drivers return to work. Just a thought!
…and HE can take that TO THE BANK!
I am flattered that you found this humorous but I am actually serious. It is no joke being out of work.
Wasn’t mocking your own situation. I was mocking the ridiculous statements made in the audio stream above. Take it which ever way you like. Not bothered.
I guess the injured lady decided to slap her hand against the bus repeatedly until she became injured..
It’s obvious to me that the BIU know that they don’t have public support, and are therefore trying to put a spin on things in order to confuse the public. I also assume the BIU hierarchy convinced bus drivers that this story is actually true! These lot are BRAINWASHED!
Smh: Sounds like the injured tourist should be prosecuted for trying to damage Government property.
Just take the TEST!
Where are the 30 people that were on this bus and possible witness to this?? Please give us some insight to what REALLY happened that day…this is becoming a circus act now.
It was only weed. Dam leave her alone.
I don’t think it was only weed – if it was only weed, should would have taken the test. People don’t get offended if someone calls them a weed head – who cares.. but call someone a crack head, hearoin addict or anything else along those lines… oh boy…
Mr. Furbert, you’re either an idiot or nothing better than a political wrangler if you believe people outside the union drivers applauding your strike can’t see the gaping holes in your explanation.
VERY simple solution, frankly. Bring forward BOTH drivers. Volunteer BOTH drivers for drug testing. If both pass, issue resolved. If one or both fail, rehab followed by reinstatement.
NO NEED FOR STRIKE. Case closed. Trouble is, the excuses and backpeddling to which you, the governing body of the BIU and this driver are so committed has you convinced there’s no way you can move now without losing face completely, save upholding this strike as a cover-up. Just the opposite is true — if you would all come forward voluntarily to clear up these questions, you would REGAIN what you’ve lost so far, at least as far as the public opinion is concerned.
maybe it was an earth tremor??? think about it?
Well Chris Furbert were you there to see what happend? I dont think so. You are realying on a bunch of numb skulls to give you info When the same numd skulls like the driver in question is trying to save their asses. The problem is Chris Furbert believes himself and all his idiotic followers. Bring in some Mexicans to drive the busses if we cant find any drug free bermidians to drive. LoL!
Wow, clouding the issue seems to be working. There has been a movement away from the real issue – whether or not the woman will submit to a drug test, and now, it seems like our dear government are caving in. Watching closely…
Ok, wait a minute. I’m gathering that Brother President Chris Furbert is trying to insinuate that it was the outside bus that moved forward, instead of the sister’s inside bus. BUT, if that was the case and the outside bus moved forward HOW the heck would the person’s hand been trapped/crushed?! If the outside bus (as Mr. Fubert is insinuating) moved forward while the passenger was trying to get on the bus, his/her hand would still have remained clear. Assuming of course the outside bus was stopped slightly ahead of the inside bus to facilitate the transfer of passengers.
And to be complete, what exactly is DINGBAT saying?
I’m quite confused. What exactly is Mr. Furbert trying to say? He doesn’t really make any sense to the average English speaking person.
“Because it’s not rocket science you know – her bus is on the inside, the other bus on the outside – so if her bus moved the people that’s walking in front of the bus get rolled over. You can take that to the bank [applause] So this report concluded that the sister that’s terminated her bus moved. Her bus did not move. I am telling you that.”
“Because if you are offloading 30 passengers from out of this door, and they have to walk across the front of this bus to get on the next bus – and only one person gets injured? From a 5 ton, 7 ton, 8 ton vehicle? You better pay attention, cause I’m paying attention [applause].”
What does he mean by her bus is on the inside and the other bus on the outside? How does he not know how much a bus weighs? What does it matter how much it weighs? It clearly injured a woman’s hand…who cares if the police were directing traffic or were on the moon? An accident doesn’t need to have a police presence…he speaks like he is uneducated and acts like a child…anywhere else in the world, the bus driver would have been drug tested and if positive…fired! None, of the bull would be going on like it is here.
MR Furbert has a job to do as the people lawyer, and most time the person that commit the crime dont tell the truth okay.
It Gets Better!!
Anyone see ZBM News last night? The other Bus Driver was interviewed by telephone and clearly stated that the bus DID move!! In my opinion Mr. Furbert & the obviously ‘Informed’ Union Members who are saying otherwise look like either Liars or *sses, so who’s telling the truth then?! Can’t wait to hear how the BIU President & the Brothas & Sistas discount this new ‘evidence’. I can imagine the drivers life will be made hell for breaking ranks.
I, the President & 98% of the other BIU members may not have been there but the other driver was so whats the New Story going to be now ……??? Chips & Dip ready, I better put a six pac in the fridge this promises to be a good one, can’t wait
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The BIU are saying well why didn’t the bus move before if the hand brake wasn’t applied. We all know vehicles left without a brake on will remain stationary at times depending on if there is an incline etc.. I saw a lady get out of her car at Terciera’s North Shore Shell a few months back and that is a pretty good grade. She stopped & got out, the car never moved until the lady entered the building and Bingo it was away, across the street and into the railing/roadside. Luckily it didn’t hit any pedestrians, bikes or other vehicles.
Simply put though It is more than possible that the bus did remain stationary until the passengers where getting off as this would result in a shifting of weight and could obviously cause the bus to move, not rocket science you know.
Asking everyone to STILL SIGN the petition. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bdaagainstbiustrikeaug2011/
Posts on the petition say it all:
Name: H Symonds on Aug 19, 2011
Comments: It’s absolutely ridiculous that the BIU would put its integrity on the line for such insubordination and have respectable working class citizens scrambling for transport to their places of employment all for the sake of someone who doesn’t value her job or the safety of her own people who are being punished for her poor decisions and bad behaviors. Ludicrous! .
Name: Tourist on Aug 20, 2011
Comments: This cruise was so not worth the trip. I hope travel critics will rank this place down to Somalia’s level. Disorganized, ruthless, unbearable; a government without control and being controlled by thugs! Hear me out…I WILL NOT RECOMMEND BERMUDA AS A DESTINATION.
Name: Georgina Norsworthy on Aug 19, 2011
Comments: would the BIU want to get on a plane with a pilot who refused to take a drug test – I think not.
One must not lose sight of the “Bully” tactics used by some in the BIU leadership and the threats of Chris Furbert, “What used to happen to people in my day on the docks that went against the union” etc.
I remember well a former employee of a Bermuda business being terrorized back in the 80′s. Workers disagreed with management and a course a militant action taken by some of the BIU employees egged on by a shop steward ……BUT one BIU employee simply stayed at work as he disagreed with the others and their tactics……FOR this he had his car vandalized, all tyres slashed etc…..
Mubarek was a bully and a thug……..look where he is now !
Some people just shouldn’t speak publicly. And he is the BRAINS of the BIU ! And people clap when he speaks? I pulled my membership 20+ years ago after days of striking and in lieu of money to pay bills I was given a $20 (I believe) voucher for the BIU’s own CO-OP supermarket. After supporting them for 7 years it was a huge slap in the face. What we gained by striking to get a raise was lost in wages lost. I wonder what the striking workers will get now. Keep striking …I will keep giving people rides…and Bermuda can save money by not paying these overpaid, selfish, greedy, miserable bus drivers. Sorry…I know that all of them are not this way if you don’t reject what the union is saying you support it.
Chris,
If one man calls you an ass, pay him no mind. If a hundred men call you an ass, go and buy yourself a saddle.
Nice one Malachi
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@ Malachi…Your comment is priceless! Mr Furbert’s picture at the top of this article is cracking me up. All it needs is Pinocchio’s long nose attached to his face and the photo will be complete! ROFL!!
What about the other sister that took the drugs test and said Harvey’s bus did move.