Videos: KFC Cancels Union Agreement
[Updated with videos] Union members descended on KFC this afternoon [Dec.20], after BIU President Chris Furbert held a press conference and said Kentucky Fried Chicken cancelled the collective bargaining agreement on Friday [Dec.16], and about 36 employees are affected.
Mr Furbert said, “I want to say to the country, that today is a sad day for industrial relations. Sad day. And the reason why I am making that statement today, is that there are a few employers in this country that continue in this current recession to try to roll back the gains that have been made by this Union and other other organizations around the world, to take away those benefits. That will not be tolerated.”
Part #1 of the press conference is below:
“This is what we call the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back,” said Mr Furbert. “On the 10th of December 2011, the employer has cancelled the collective bargaining agreement.”
Mr Furbert went on to say the letter said there will be no changes to the employee’s hourly rate or health insurance. ”What they tells me is everything else that you have we propose to change,” said Mr Furbert, who went on to reference aspects including sick time and vacation time. ”This is alarming and disturbing to the BIU,” said Mr Furbert.
Part #2 of the press conference is below:
“Let me make it crystal clear, the employer cannot cancel an agreement. And just for the critics out there who are going to say once again Mr Furbert and the BIU has gone somewhere else, the law clearly states that once a Union, whether its the BIU, BPSU, BUT or whatever – once we receive recognition, as we won a recognition ballot, the only people that can change that is the workers.”
Those gathered applauded after Mr Furbert said, “It is over my dead body as the current President of the BIU to allow any employer to take away the current benefits of our members. It’s not going to happen.”
KFC commenced discussions with the BIU in April 2011 regarding renewal of the company’s collective agreement for its unionised staff.
The Company previously said they have been experiencing declining sales, and reduced income. Their latest letter to shareholders in July 2011 said, “It is our hope that the BIU and its membership will recognize the weakness of market conditions and the urgency of the Company’s need to reach a realistic agreement with its staff that protects the interests of all stakeholders including employees, investors, and customers.”
“While the Company has successfully protected its workers’ employment during the past two years of economic weakness, our ability to continue to protect employment going forward will be largely dependent on our employees’ willingness to recognize difficulties we all face in this economic environment.”
After the press conference was over, the Union members walked to KFC on Queen Street in a show of support for their unionised employees. They lined both sides of the sidewalk outside of KFC and sang solidarity songs. When an employee emerged, she was welcomed with applause. Union President Chris Furbert then approached the employee and explained their presence of support. The group left at approximately 2:30pm.
BIU members singing outside KFC:
“We are not going to sit by and allow employers like KFC and those others to come along and destroy those benefits that our forefather’s blood, sweat and tears have built over the years, and they are going to sit there are take them away? Not going to happen,” said Mr Furbert.
Update: The memo sent to all KFC employees from the KFC executive on December 15th follows below, click ‘Fullscreen’ for greater clarity:
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- KFC Respond To BIU’s Boycott Call | Bernews.com | April 13, 2012
Good thing ‘Mr Chicken’ is just up de road.
And… when does the BIU ever follow “the Law?” Not very often. Something about glass houses…?
Didn’t the Collective Agreement EXPIRE in April? That’s not “cancelling it.”
What a pile of bull….
If at least one worker requests representation, KFC must accept this and negotiate with the union. Like it or lump it. rules are rules….which baffles me everytime the BIU pull a quick shot…..I wonder if KFC workers can join another more responsible union.
WOW! How much union dues will the BIU loose, big Company KFC, maybe thousands of dollars a week, maybe BIU staff themselves will have to be laid off! hope not.
KFC’s days are numbered in Bermuda. Bermuda’s days are numbered.
The Lines Empire and other KFC shareholders should raise the prices another 55% on you lazy trade unionists, after the cameras were turned off how many happy meals did you lot buy
I have no idea about this topic and don’t care (no offense to all involved), but I must say Furby has got to be right. He’s never wrong and never talks nonsense…
$10 says everyone that marched down there will still eat there. Too good to give up.
According to reports the agreement was fixed for three years, which expired in April 2011. It was not cancelled; it was just not renewed. So Chris Furbert seems to be misinformed about the nature of the dispute.
Still, it’s not the first time he has made no sense at all.
Why the outcry over the non renewal of an agreement with KFC? Shouldn’t there be an outcry that the 2 major construction companies on the Island, Correia and Island Construction, are non Union especially as the receive so many Government contracts?
Looks like Chris Furbert, Laverne & the rest who have been at the BIU feeding trough so long are going to have to take a paycut as the membership shrinks.
What are the chances of the remaining KFC staff voluntarily making BIU dues payments? Methinks slim to zero. They can go on strike. They will strike themselves right out of a job. Then what?
Veeee shell not, veeee shell not be meerved.
United veeee stend, diwided vee fall.
What a bunch of uneducated fools.
yur stupid….
I agree all clogged up Black Forest Cake what the heck type of name is that and you sound like a freakin 8 year old with that type of spelling and I would know cause im 13.My mama takes alot of pride in this group and for you to be dissin’ it lyke that is disrespectful.
speaking of spelling champion…
lyke?
im?
go back to your schoolbooks!
Since almost 99% of the dues collected go for salaries and other union expenses, the BIU needs all the members they can get – if they lose anymore members they may have to take a salary cut themselves – God forbid!
Then Chris will throw all his toys out of his crib.
Guess the turkey will be stretched into the New Year??
Bet if everyone knew what the benefits are we would see why KFC is not making any money. Only store that is busy in town.
Go figure
I think B.I.U is totally out of order and does not have the right to try and bring shame to an organization that i believe has one of our finest representative on more then one front,though i cannot name the individual for legal reason,this person has been part of the workers voice for more then 25 years and has represented workers in the B.P.S.U and the B.I.U and because they are part of management at K.F.C i am sure they sat with the management before such a decision was made. I think that the BI.U needs to answer the people about all the allegations made about them from Mr. Raymond Russell on numerous occasion publicly about the finances of many union workers dues and what was done with it by the past and present union Presidents and financial board,it took years for the union to produce their books and still have not revealed all that was supposed to be produced and i think their is allot of merit to the allegations Mr. Raymond Russell have accused them of, so i think it would be wise for the Union membership to start educating itself concerning where is their money going and how is it being used and is it really benefiting them 100% or someone else.I think time could be well spent if B.I.U . would spend more time cleaning up it’s own affairs of alleged mis-conduct first before you go trampling on people for using their given right to make a decision that they did in accordance to the law and your rules and by laws at B.I.U, To the management and staff of K.F.C. stand firm and stand together but make sure your on the up and up with your staff as this could come back to haunt you not and to Mr. Raymond Russell keep pressing on with getting the facts stated as they are according to the records at the register general.your voice may seem as one but your hard work will and has endured and dont rest until all the truth is revealed, and yes these are strong words but enough is enough.
Furbert, Furbert & Shurbert……………………
All melting away.
All the unions are nothing but thugs. Extortioners. KFC should shut down and then where will these people work? Where will the union get the dues? And, most importantly, what will the union to for the unemployed?
well said mate.. the unions are acting just like the ones running the show, they do what they please as it comes from the top!
Hey check out Dinghy Simmons…WHO R WE….KFC…..GOALS GOALS GOALS!!!!
15 days sick to start, up to 90.. what the hell.
Unions are out of their minds. Labour flexibility is key to economic recovery.
I’m always amused at the folks who actually USE those 15 ‘sick’ days….every year. Maybe they need more vitamins….
In 10 years in my current job, I still haven’t used up my sick days for the FIRST year!!!
For all the narrow minded a$$holes who sit up and constantly critise the BIU on what they do, you really need to sit back and educate yourselfs on the BIU and where it all started and how far they have brought us today as workers in OUR country. And i bet half of the people critising the BIU or any union for that matter, even if they arent unionised, are sitting back and enjoying the benefits that were faught for by the forefathers of the organisation. We always quick to comment the minute they see the BIU involved in something before finding out the TRUE facts. Thats the problem with half of us today, too quick to judge. And for the people talkin bout the agreement expired and that it wasnt terminated, you obviously dont know what the hell youre talking about, go find and read article 38 of their collective bargaining agreement and tell me what it says!!! YOURE the one who’s uneducated!!!!! Mad dawg and Starr Man!! Lets stop critising our own people and lets stick together as a country so we can move forward!! And f.y.i. The person reponsible for terminating the agreement and cutting the employees benefits is a NON BERMUDIAN!!! So if we dont come together as a country, this is whats gonna happen!! Lets move forward and not allow certain ppl take us backward!!!
Finally someone speaking the truth. Thank god for the union. If they were not around I would of been replaced by a foreign contractor.I SUPPORT THE BIU
ONE FOR ALL ,ALL FOR ONE
My friend….if you have not been replaced it is probably because you work hard and put in an honest days work! I know many many Bermudians that have not been replaced by foreign workers at non- unionized companies because they are all hard working people that put in a fair days work without calling in sick every other day. We havent had our jobs taken away by foreign workers …WE GAVE THEM AWAY! I also know many Bermudians that lost their jobs first…THEN they were replaced by the foreign workers that they gave their jobs up to. One sufferend from Monday morning sickness and called in sick almost every Monday but got miraculously better every year after their 12 sick days ran out. Two others had no concept of what it means to start work on time. One thought that drinking a few beers on Friday at lunch with his construction pals was his right and it shouldnt be a problem even though he was driving a company truck. Another friend had moved from construction company to construction company because things in construction were great . He would cash in his check on Friday, go drinking at lunch, not go back to work, get fired and be working somewhere else by Monday or Tuesday. Problem is…now things are not so good and he has no place to go. He blames every one else, including the “foreigners that took his job”. He has nobody to blame but himself. They all gave their jobs away! Gone are the days of hard woking, hard core and honest brother Ottie leading the Union. You have nothing to fear if you are hard working, honest and drug free in this company. If not, well then I suppose one could argue that they need the BIU…..or if you drive a bus or ferry.
Thank you for that plain speaking, Puppet on a String! Many of my compatriots became complacent when things were good. They became accustomed to being able to move from job to job, giving half-way decent service and much, much attitude and getting quite good wages. We thought those days would never end. I have also seen guys who hadn’t worked in months, refusing to work for less than $20 and $25 an hour, along with many of the behaviours you describe. The Filipino cleaners I know bend over backward to try and help Bermudians do the jobs they do, only to have the Bermudians quit within a few days because the “work is too hard.” I guess we have just become soft and spoiled. Many of us are missing this wake-up call still. Rather than looking at ourselves and seeing where we can improve our lot, we are blaming every body else. We don’t seem to understand that we are giving out power away. As long as we see the problem as ‘over there,’ we are powerless to change it. We need to ‘claim our stuff’ and begin the slow, sometimes painful but crucial steps to reclaim our heritage as the hard working, skilled, friendly and polite people we really are.
Well, support what’s left of it – the BIU needs all the help it can get, especially new management.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, however there is balance that is needed.
If the terms under the employment act are good enough for the country, then why can’t they be good enough for the union.
I beleive unions serve a valid purpose, but the struggle now is different than the struggle before. In a closed, non-competitive economy, Unions were needed to protect the rights of workers. However if the union’s demands make the company non-competitive, then it is counter productive.
I personally find 15 sick days a year so ridiculous, on this alone i couldn’t support the union’s case. The employment act sets a good base, if we all lived by those rules, we’d be a hell of a lot more productive and wouldn’t be in the economic state that we are in now.
Business needs to get more nimble, lower prices, increase choice and increase employment. Protecting your corner does little to help countries in the long run.
I would be curious to see a report regarding average sick days taken by employees in the privte sector versus government positions versus unionized companies. As someone that has worked in all three areas, I can tell you that we would be embarrassed at what people in some places take advantage of.
KFC is making losses. Face it. It’s an unprofitable business. It either carries on with reduced costs, or it stops altogether.
Furbert only interest is to keep the BIU in business. Right now it’s running on empty. It has nothing tangible to offer its members. It has no money, so it will never be able to pay strike pay. It can’t create jobs. Ultimately, it can’t create or save benefits and jobs if the business is losing money.
The only place where the BIU has any effect is for government jobs, where no-one is trying to make a profit. But that will dwindle too, as government is forced to make ends meet like the rest of us.
All you people who talk about ‘how the union started’ are missing the point. The world has changed. You won’t survive if you’re not competitive. Ask the remaining workers at GM and Ford.
And don’t give me the nonsense about how I’m enjoying union benefits fought for by you. I don’t get 90 days sick pay a year plus 8 weeks vacation. I can’t turn up at work drunk or high and yet keep my job. I have to justify myself every single day.
And if you’re so keen on unionizing all workers, where are the unions at Island Construction and Correia Construction? Right. They’re all for the qlq but they won’t let unions anywhere near their own businesses. Not a chance.
How can you say KFC is an unprofitable business when the news paper has reported million dollar profits earned by KFC??????????????????????
I think you will find that you are wrong. KFC Bermuda has never made millions. People might assume that they do make alot of money but they are struggling like many business with rising salaries and overheads. Because of their long opening hours they pay more than most businesses in salaries. Last year I think they made a profit of around $150,000 and not much more in past years. Not a great deal for the kind of operation they have there on Queen Street…
@ Mr. D., Firstly, I’ll start by laying out my credentials. I’m a University Graduate with Degrees in Political Science and Human Resources Management (with concentrations in Labour Relations and Occupational Health and Safety). I have been employed with Multinational Corporations as a Labour Relations Associate (dealing with unions such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Food and Commercial Workers, the United Steel Workers, and so on) and I’m currently employed as a Occupational Health and Safety Consultant.
Now that all that is out of the way, down to business:
“And i bet half of the people critising the BIU or any union for that matter, even if they arent unionised, are sitting back and enjoying the benefits that were faught for by the forefathers of the organisation” Did your Union Forefathers fight for increased numbers of Sick Days and vacation days or EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS to be formalized regardless of the occupation or race? Does Bermuda now have Employment Standards enshrined in law? The answer would be yes I believe the phrase is ‘An honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.’ Clearly the issue in dispute are fringe benefits that have no bearing on the EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS your forefathers fought for. As such, that particular point of yours is moot.
If the KFC workers have indicated a desire to be represented, then yes, KFC Management have a duty to negotiate with the worker’s duly appointed representatives. However, in all Labour Relations activities, a balance must be struck (it’s not a compromise unless both parties have to give something up). To that end, it’s slippery slope. Take the following facts for example:
Fact: the US and Canadian domestic car industry tanked because of the dual affect of cheaper, more reliable foreign cars on the market, AND because of its union (the UAW and CAW respectively). Why you may ask? Because union fought for (and won) wage increases and fringe benefits that were so high, that the falling vehicle sales could not cover the costs of Employee Wages and benefits. The result? Massive lay-offs, huge amounts of unsold product (which by extension means wasted materials) and a government bailout in the billions. Clearly this doesn’t all apply to Bermuda, but I’m sure you can see how 12 paid sick days plus whatever vacation days the workers are entitled to coupled with the increasing wages (no union ever accepts a decreased wage, or a stagnant wage rate) in a time with decreasing public expenditure will end up pricing the union membership out of a job on a long enough continuum.
Fact: The Current UAW, CAW, Teamsters, et al. benefits so far outweigh and outstrip the current earning capacity of their respective Companies that newer generation employees (think generation y and the millennials) are not covered to the same extent (if at all) as their older union brothers and sisters, despite union dues being the same (or slightly more) for the younger generation. Has the BIU’s economist (if they have one) given consideration to this trend and the implication for hard line bargaining?
Fact: The bread and butter of all unions are its membership (through dues). Hard line bargaining that produces high wages and large amounts of fringe benefits do benefit the worker, but only in the short term. The knock-on effect is that in a depressed economy, these wages and benefits are very difficult to sustain which results in higher prices for the consumer, which potentially results in fewer sales, which means less money to go around for everybody which means what? Lay-offs, reduced union dues, greater unemployment rates, more payouts in social services, higher taxes for all, and increased debt for Bermuda. Now granted this is a worst-case scenario, but its still a scenario that warrants consideration if the BIU plans on sustaining its role as one of the representatives of Bermuda’s workforce
You stated, “So if we dont come together as a country, this is whats gonna happen!! Lets move forward and not allow certain ppl take us backward!!!”
I couldn’t agree with you more. If the BIU doesn’t start approaching Labour Relations as Stakeholder in a larger context of the Island, not only will they move backwards, they will move their entire membership (or what’s left of it) back with them.
Bargain in Good Faith Chris (IN GOOD FAITH!)
Let’s move forward? You’re the one living in the past. No one is doubting how good the BIU used to be. We know all about the history, blah blah blah. The BIU has outlived its usefulness.
Here we go again. Becareful KFC employees before you dont end up joining the 3000 plus families lined up at botenical gardens waiting for a hand out this christmas.The BIU are in a sad state and are no longer respected in this community as they were in the past. As a Union member its embarrasing to watch these clowns marching down queen street especially with the grinning clown in front,’DINGBAT” As a member of the BIU its my prayer that the management of KFC stand firm against its decicion and bring the management of the BIU to its knees. Then hopefully things will begin to go the way they are meant to go. Enough is enough and its time for Chris, Molly, LaVerne and the rest to pack up and move on.The guys who truely fought blood sweat and tears must be rolling over in thier graves seeing everything they fought for is being ruined, most importantly is the dinity and credibilty they left behind.Bermuda just as the rest of the world are in a very tough position during this economic downturn and the last thing we need is Chris dictating his nonsense to people or companies struggling to keep people employed.
Your an idiot!
Without brother Chris who would protect us from companies taking advantage of this downturn. Companies are not hiring because your scared ,and work overtime for straight pay fool.
You clearly aren’t a puppet. A puppet would have more intellect.
@Not a puppet,
If ever I,ve seen anything close to being a real puppet its got to be you. How dense can you be to think that Bro Chris as you call him truely has you or any other members true interest at the center of his heart?? If that were so true he and his crew at the BIU would lead by example and be the first to take pay cuts. As a contributing member I assure you they dont deserve the six figure salary the get, and as others have stated the union should be about its members and after all these years of existence how much do we have to secure during difficult times such as these. NOW WHO IS THE REAL IDIOT???
Typical Sheep blah blah.Figure mostly private jobs have been lost in the past three years. Union jobs minimal. Thats where my dues went sheep!
No collective bargaining agreement = No Dues
No Dues = No BIU revenue.
No BIU Revenue = No union.
and thats how it should be @rob
Haave you spoken to the former staff at most of the islands hotels that the union SAVED…NOT! Most are GONE! All those senseless and sometimes legally questionable marches and stikesby your gorious union COST them their jobs!
The jobs are gone because of the disrespecful, lazy, “nobody needs you anyway” attitude displayed towards the tourists and guests to our country. People have a choice in where they will vacation, and who in the hell wants to spend their hard earned money on bad attitudes and noncholant attitudes? No visitors = no need for hotels. So stop being so assinine.
Pal, Brother Chris is the problem – there are no funds left to support any sort of sustained industrial action and this is entirely due to mismanagement or possibly worse.
@Down With The BIU
You are an idiot: I you are a paid up member of the BIU and think our President Chris Furbert is doing such a bad job Why don’t you throw your hat in the ring when a new President is selected.
Sounds to me as if your jealous of Bro Glenn Simmons (DINGBAT) and President Chris Furbert, and what the hell is Laverne got to do with this shows your mentality!! Don’t HATE, sounds to me like someone stole your bottle or took your thumb out of your mouth. Stop Whining.
UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL: Pres.Chris Furbert the nay sayers are at it again we love all the attention they are giving to the BIU, keep it up bloggers:
@ Down WIth The BIU
ooops: Typo: * If you are a paid up
United you will fall. The BIU doesn’t understand compromise and wants all members who come crying to them to be able to have 100 paid sick days. It’s a recession, sacrifices must be made.
don’t be hood winked Bermudians….this fight is the people vs big business/money..
soon KFC will be filled with Philippines workers….under the header that Bermudians are lazy and don’t want to work….
Bermuda is entering into the the in your face stage of the classicism warfare..where foreign worker/cheap labour replaces all the local work force..so the people like the LOM “Lines Brothers” get richer and richer…
What a bunch of brainwashed cheerleaders. You jokers only had what 75 k in the bank according to the financials so go ahead and strike. How will you pay you membership with only 75k…lolol. Develop a mind of your own and stop letting a man that embarrasses the English language represent you.
Mr D: Much as you post is useless drivel, I’m interested in what you meant by article 38. Are you saying you cannot let an agreement with BIU lapse? I thought that the only contract that had no end was the ridiculous marriage contract. No contract should be auto renew – and if someone signed such then they need their head looking at.
Go ahead and strike! Not sure if the public will want to bail your butts out AGAIN!
Sure hope there is a plan B!!!!!!!
There is no plan B,…k.f.c. will be closed down in the so called new year…
Well thats something way overdue and worth looking forward to for 2012. Sorry for the 36 soon to be unemployed. Where will the Sunday church people go to get their take out lunch? Mr Chicken taking on new staff I guess.
Is that what the Mayan Calander mean by the end of the world…no more dirty bird?????? Nooo!!!!!!
If they go on strike, Bermuda as a whole could reap the benefit of not eating that disgusting artery clogging, heart attack causing rubbish. The health benefits for everyone are just too good to miss. Why wait, strike now!! In addition, there wouldn’t be a trace of KFC trash. Sounds to me like a better Bermuda for almost everyone. Hopefully the union can go a step further and cause KFC to go out of business entirely.
OK,. who is scared? No-one. Those days are over Furbert. So, these people are slaves or some other….I don’t think so. Let this economy get on with its collapse free of such ignorance. If the Union had been there 10 or 20 years ago, educating its people then this would most likely not be on the cards. I don’t care if we have KFC. Bermuda does not care if we have KFC. We would like it, but not on your terms. I say they close, then advertise for new workers at the going rate. Yeah, slavery my back side. Life it what they call it.
Bermuda, the choice is yours. We left the 1960s behind. Will there be a tomorrow? Maybe not.
You all need to pay attention…. a grocery shop in the west end are going to close down !!!
With more stores to follow. Welcome to the real world.
BIU is useless entity who does nothing except destroy all the hard work that’s gone into making Bermuda something over the last 100 years.
Time to close down the BIU once and for all.
Eff you BIU.
*True Bermudian
Back At You! pertaining to last sentence:
You obviously are blind to Bermuda history and the reason for our tourism and business demise.
Take your head out of the sand and let me educate you:
Fact: The BIU is a useless organisation which does nothing to help Bermuda.
Fact: The BIU ruined tourism in the 70′s and 80′s and are still continuing their trend of ruining Bermudas tourist trade as evidenced this summer by their tantrum like bus strike.
Fact: In the 1980′s the BIU condoned workers standing on dining room tables at hotels and yelling like zoo animals at the good paying tourist customers who had no idea what was going on.
What was going on is the BIU was throwing a tantrum because a bartender had been fired for stealing from a customer.
The BIU taxi strike of the 80′s saw tourists walking from the airport to their hotels.
Fact: Bermuda’s tourism trade never recovered from these fiasco’s and it’s all the BIU’s fault.
Fact: The BIU has stolen millions from its members. Construction members of the 70′s , 80′s and early 90′s , the unions most ardent supporters and contributors , have been hoodwinked, lied to and disinherited.
The BIU refuses to explain why most of its revenue over the last four (reporting) years has been spent on officer salaries and other expenses of management. Look at the numbers:
BIU Payouts to management:
2009: $3,146,017 (88.4% of total expenses)
2008: $2,966,462 (90.8%)
2007: $2,731,351 (88.5%)
2006: $2,744,545 (88.9%)
Total: $11,588,375
Meanwhile, even though the Union exists as a result of the hard-working contributions of its membership, the BIU officers (the same ones who paid themselves $11.5 million over the last four years alone) decided their members’ benefits should be limited to only $120 thousand:
2009: $22,175 (0.6% of total expenses)
2008: $21,987 (0.6%)
2007: $23,384 (0.8%)
2006: $50,472 (1.6%)
Total: $118,018
$11,588,375 vs. $118,018
$11.5 MILLION to them – $118 THOUSAND back to members. Still think the BIU is helping you?
Think again. You do the math and add it up for yourself.
It adds up to the fact that the BIU is a useless organization who takes your money and does nothing to help Bermuda.
It’s time to tear down the BIU brick by brick and dismantle that useless organisation.
Eff you BIU.
So can the staff that want to pay BIU dues can they not just walk to BIU weekly or monthly and still pay? Why does it have to go through the company itself thought anyone can just pay dues and be a member.
I thought they were singing Christmas songs till I got closer lol
funny.
As long as they don’t change the coleslaw recipe nobody cares
Its all about BIU protecting its income stream – nothing more. When less than 1% of income goes to benefitting the membership – its nothing more than a scam. Even bigger scam than religious broadcasters.
I listened to Ludachris’ gibberish, and this is what I got out of it:
If you are a senior BIU person at KYC you can accumulate up to 90 sick days (40 per annum) and be entitled to 7 weeks holiday (all paid).
Taken to the extreme, that senior person (given the Bda attitude to take sick days as holiday) could be out of the office on a fully paid basis for 25 WEEKS on any one year, without being truly sick – that is f@*& outrageous. That is ONE HALF the year.
Kudos for KFC and the others for finally standing up to these blood sucking leeches
Better not be closed for the holiday I need a bucket for my boys!
I love KFC! The staff are hard working , friendlly and that’s right…BERMUDIAN!
I am not overweight or unfit and on occasion love the food. All you health nuts can kiss my a?!?s! I will probably be a poll bearer at your funeral anyway. You don’t want to eat it, then don’t but leave the rest of us that enjoy the food alone!
On the issue, KFC Directors have a right do do what they think is right. The staff can still join the Union and be represented. At least they have their jobs. Hang tight KFC Staff, when business picks up you will be glad you stayed. The alternative is to follow brother Chris down the unfosaken path..he gets paid, will you?
@Watching:
Regarding what you wrote: On the Issue, KFC Directors have a right to do what they think is right:
So, KFC Directors have the right to cancel: Health Insurance, Payroll Tax,
Child Support Payments,(deducted from employees checks) Private Pension and Social Insurance, hell no, so what gives them the right to cancel deducting employee dues, all of these are legal by law. GET A LIFE
By the way the chicken you eat from there you probaly pass them everyday .
I am Just Saying:
I know nothing about Union contracts but I do know the employment act. The answer you seek is no, no employer can cancel pr tax etc and I doubt KFC is suggesting they will. What they are saying I think, as many employers are, is they can no longer afford to pay benefits and compensation that exceed industry norm. No business is going to run at a loss to help pay employees, it would make no sense. All they are asking is for the union to be fair. The BIU served Bermudians for many years and certainly they played a key role in development of fair employment practice. Where they failed and continue to fail is to expect something for their members that is more than can be given. The BIU fails it’s members when it guides them into thinking strikes that harm everyone, that cause job losses and closures, that harm our national reputation, are reasonable. Strikes that say it ok for bus and ferry drivers to work when intoxicated are not ok with most of us. That is a poor union, that is BIU of today. Members of Unions in larger countries demand represenation and good financial management, BIU have failed in this. Chris Furbert lacks sound business knowledge clearly or he wouldn’t speak the way he does.
If the biu lets an employer cancelling their collective agreement with them because “they have been experiencing declining sales, and reduced income” with putting up a serious fight.
Then this will the beginning of the domino factor of the dismantling of the employees’ rights to be represented by a labor organization as bda’s hospitality industry have been experiencing the same problems and it is still under the collective agreement.
So fight on BIU and continue to protect the employees’ rights.
Always remember that sacrifices must be made for goals to be achieve
Yeah, it’s worked out great in the hotels hasn’t it. They’ve closed by the dozen. That’s what happens when you’re uncompetitive.
My little inside tracker suspects that the rather well to do Bermudian owners of KFC BDA would not be too bothered if they ended up closing shop – it’s rapidly becoming just an irritating little side business to them. And also one whose product is perhaps not so beneficial to optimum health if consumed with too great a frequency; and no legitimate business person needs that sort of hassle for what is a somewhat insignificant return. The biggest loser other than the employees would be the chicken supplier, Butterfield and Vallis, if I am not mistaken.
Of course this could be an opportunity for Mr. W. Brown at BGA and Phoenix stores to expand the business – a classic case of vertical integration as I’m sure he would supply the chicken…But surely without the Union?
I thought they got the chicken out the back in the car park….
They do – the B & V truck parks on the upper level which is adjacent to Par-La-Ville Car Park and the boxes of frozen chicken are sent down a slide into KFC – Weryabiballdistime?
Anyone want to make book on how long it takes for KFC to go under? They’ve never been very profitable so it’s only a matter of time.
Anyone thought of asking KFC for their side of the story? Maybe a majority of the workers voted to leave the union…
just another sad day!!
Looks like the normal patrons cue outside KFC above.
in the Occupy Wall Street era are some bdan ppl actually siding with fried chicken over the labour union. wow. are bdans losing it?
So what you all are saying is that there’s a chance there’ll be no more dirty bird?! Noooo! Save Dirty Bird! Oh yeah, Mr. Chicken is just up the hill. Nom Nom Nom.
which was it cancelled or not renewed?
What most of you are missing is that a company cannot decide that it no longers wants its employees to be members of a union. It is up to the employees to say that they no longer wish to be represented by the BIU. And in that case, a vote must be taken to see if the majority of employees agree to decertification.
In the case of KFC, the employees want to continue to be represented by the BIU. Pick the bones out of that.
I agree that some important facts are missing from the reporting of this news. Can the employees be represented by the Union without the company having an agency agreement with the Union?
I think that’s understood, Sweetie, but the issue appears to be the collective bargaining agreement which expired. It’s clearly a drain on a struggling business. For example, excessive sick days, treated as extra vacation, as reported are clearly wrong.
Sandgrownan Sweetie, all collective bargaining agreement, whether with the BIU, the BPSU, the ESTU, the BPS, or any union anywhere in the world, have term limits and expire. However, that is when the parties go back to the table to negotiate a new agreement.
I have seen no indication of KFC’s employees abusing sick leave, vacation leave or any other kind of leave.
Okay, sweetie?
The BPSU is a trusted union. Suck egg nog Sweetie.
Listen Princess, I didn’t say they abused it, I said it appears to be a ridiculous agreement in the first place. Presumably that’s why the employer didn’t renew and why Brother Chris is all pouty faced again.
Fire them all then and hire Philippinos for less money! Result- a profitable business with hard working and efficient staff! KFC stays open and well all get chicken.
Teach these BIU people a lesson about the value of a job. No one is entitled to one!
Chris Furbert is a BOSSSSSS. It isn’t nothing thing man can’t do. He can walk on water if he had to.
FURBERT – you are STOOPID. Simple. Continue to reak havok on the employers. At this point, if you have a job, YOU ARE LUCKY. KFC doesn’t have to be in Bermuda!! THey are a huge franchise and they can PEACE OUT at any time! Leaving 30 something people more with no jobs.
Numbskull I tell you
umm ya frying chicken and serving it, how much of a raise do u think your gonna get?? If anything the union should encourage more people to patronize KFC that way they can be able to keep paying uneducated chicken frying staff. Or the BIU can hel the 33 employees by helping them start a fast food business and then patronize that. Or are they….chicken..lol
As an employee i will never be a Union member.
Unions are for the lazy people that want an excuse to not do there work and there employer can’t fire them!!
If i was KFC’S owner i will close that place and them the Union will have to pay the employees wages!!
While I do not agree with all the tactics and policies of the BIU (or any other union), unions do serve a very important role.
Workers in all industries and sectors have benefited from the BIU.
The BIU has championed workers rights to have sick leave, maternity leave, health benefits and so on. All workers, including ‘white collar’ professions have benefited from this.
I dont understand the comments labeling union workers as lazy and the BIU as an outdated entity.
While many of us, myself included, have never been a union member, however many of the benefits that my employer provides came about by the efforts of the BIU (and other unions).
One further point, as an employee who works in IB, I ‘expect’ certain things.
i) if I work hard and am productive, I expect a pay raise or a bonus
ii) I expect my benefits package to include 15-20 paid vacation days and paid 5-10 days of sick leave
iii) yes, I do work long hours, however I ‘expect’ this will be rewarded in the form of an annual pay increase and/or a good bonus
iv) I expect good health insurance coverage
v) I expect my HR department will have a policy that outlines termination procedures, which is in compliance with the emlpoyment act
vi) if I am made redundant, I expect a decent severance package
‘Blue collar’ workers and BIU members desire the same the same things. All of my colleagues in IB expect the things that I have outlined, however BIU workers are labeled as ‘lazy’ for wishing the same things that I take for granted.
Lets get things straight:
1. No Company has to give any bonus.
2. Pay increases, just folow what ever Gov. states.
3.Vacation, law states 2 weeks and as yeras go by and still at the same Company extra time is given.
3.extra hours: law states to be paid, not in bonus.
All employers need to do is follow the employment act, thats all!!
Well fikel, let me tell you a few things about IB.
In IB, many people have not had pay increases for years. IB isn’t a bottomless pit of money.
As for a bonus, you might get one or you might not. If your company loses money, you will not get one. If you are a lazy good for nothing, you will not get one. If you just came in and did your basic job, you will not get one.
Sick leave. Max 10 days for IF and when you are SICK. Not 45 days of ‘extra vacation’ a year. No sick leave can be carried forward if unused.
Long hours. Part of the deal. No extra pay for the extra hours. Bonus? See above about bonus. Working hard might however be the kind of thing that might get you a bonus. Or, in some circumstances, it might be the thing that does nothing more than keeps you a job.
Severence? Min required by law.
Health insurance? Yes, usually pretty decent.
Termination? Let’s put it this way. If I come to work drunk or high, I lose my job. If I insult a customer, I lose my job. If I behave inappropriately to a co-worker or my boss, I lose my job. If I call in ‘sick’ and I’m lying, I lose my job. If I’m incompetent, I lose my job. If my company loses money for years on end, I may well lose my job. In these respects, I can’t understand how some bus and ferry workers remain employed. But that’s just me I guess.
Not just you Dog, me too! Unions served a purpose years ago when employees were clearly exploited. However, we now have laws to protect us.
I work in HR in an IB and I can tell you you are spot on.
The bones I picked out of this was that as a manager or supervisor of a fast food chicken joint in Bermuda under the Union, I can expect up to 90 days (18 weeks) of sick pay and up to seven weeks vacation per year? For serving fast food? Without mulling over details or the obvious abuse that can happen with this, doesn’t it seem super excessive? A potential maximum allowable ‘out of office’ for over 20 out of 52 weeks out of the year?
Someone has posted this on another site and I would have to agree. Close.:
“Due to the continuous negative returns on investment…with no end in sight…and the BIU with an “over my dead body” attitude…I would close the business on December 31, 2011, pay out redundancies, keep the company incorporated, wait a few years until the economy gets better, restructure the business to a scaled-down version and reopen then. Simple as that. In other words, don’t “f” with me either. I’m a private business, not the Government you are messing with. Stand your ground KFC.
I agree!!
2nd that! So go ahead Chris and Laverne, have a meeting with the KFC staff and let them know just how much they can expect to receive for the fight to remain under you two’s feet…..
(And I can guarantee it won’t even be enough to buy any KFC for one meal let alone a weeks worth of personal expenses!)
GO KFC Management. The workers are protected by law where required so the union is redundant!
KFC hire the foreigner worker they don’t kiss and tell, no need to pay over-time..and they work 80-90 hour a week, and their pay would still qualify for financial assistance. go thing you them 10 per room. you can them flaunt the law….. LOM needs the money….yeah get rid of those lazy Bermudian…say How many foreign workers does it take to care for the Bermudian populations..25k you say……heck we got a long way to go, what business is next…
good thing you house them 10 per room. you can then flaunt the law…
Rhonda. You really are talking rubbish.
Have they hired expats at KFC and “flaunted” the law? Sounds like nonsense, but who controls work permits? Bermudians put in place by the PLP government. Are you blaming them?
And who is being housed at 10 per room? Is that a racist stereotype comment?
this will turn out to be a case where everyone loses.
Weight loss included!
Come to think of it, Bermuda does have a plague of fat chics. Problem is, they think they are cute. It’s not cute to be abeast, sorry, obese.
Oh my durr!!
HEY BIE….FAT GURLS ARE HOTT (with 2 Ts)
Ande once again LaVerne Shurbert is all over the internet asking people to show who owns what, who has shares et all with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Whats Thailand have to do with BIU relations LaVerne. You and that BELCO boy gotta get it together. I have ten thousand shares in KFC. What am I gonna do when you come for me?……..box of bones….keep it up because thats all that will be left whilst you pick the grapes of wrath on forigne soil…………………………………
KFC………’……..Furbert……/…….
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) or Yum! is a United States-based Fortune 500 corporation. Yum! operates or licenses Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and WingStreet restaurants worldwide. Yum!’s global sales totaled more than US$11 billion. – yet the oba are siding with a billion dollar company over the local worker’s union – vote OBA!!
BERNEWS, NOVEMBER 14th: The Bermuda Industrial Union’s annual audited financial statements from 2000 to 2009 have been filed with the Registrar General and as of mid-morning today [Nov.14], were made available for inspection by members of the public. The union had not filed any accounts with the Registrar General since 2003, as required by the Trade Union Act of 1965; and the accounts it filed for the years 1999 to 2002 were rejected for not meeting the requirements of the law.
Funny how Mr. Furbert can attack an employer for decisions they have to make to try and stay alive in this economy and keep BERMUDIANS employed, but yet the BIU got away with not filing their accounts since 2003!!! The members should be VERY concerned, but then again, maybe they don’t truly understand how things work!
Bermuda is entering in your face classicism..don’t be hood winked Bermudians….this fight is the people vs big business & money..soon KFC will be filled with Philippines workers….under the cover of Bermudians are lazy and don’t want to work….they come late, leave early.. and you know the rest..
So why won’t the Bermudian workers negotiate? Why don’t they give some ground on things like excessive sick pay? Because they’re led by a stupid illiterate bunch of union clowns who are desperately clinging to a false belief that they actually still have some power.
If I owned the place I’d tell them ‘these are the new employment conditions. If you don’t want to accept them, that’s up to you. Find another job. I’ll hire some new people who will accept them’.
rick Rock, ….All employer’s are not great employer’s and negotiate in good faith..I am aware of a male member in my family where the employees at his job voted down the chance to be represented by the stupid illiterate bunch in the union..one year later his employer decided that he was not paying for anything but hours worked and at regular pay. This male member was like a lot of people on the page, til he broke his finger on the job..and their was no sick pay…only $108.00 for workman’s comp. from the insurance company his co-pay was $250.00.. and guess what the laws only states you can’t be fired for being sick not that the employer has to pay anything..I no they all wish they had those stupid illiterate bunch on their side…..
Today’s daily – reading between the lines seems to indicate that KFC Management is concerned about the Union Pension Plan. Pension legislation demands that statements MUST be given to employees on a regular basis. I know Unionised staff that havn’t seen one for years. If I were them I would start asking questions. I sincerely hope that the Union Pension has filed annual audited accounts with the Pension Commission. Failure to do so is against the law and Chris F. knows all about that.
I’m wondering if this Bernews Rhonda is Rhonda N. from Facebook fame.
Way off the point here, but seeing the offical KFC notice to staff was done using one of the super old Microsoft Word templates and not on a proper or more formal company letterhead is a little sad. I know of small businesses that do a better job in that regard. Okay now, back to saving the dirty bird!