BIU President Refutes Claims
Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert issued a statement today [Feb.8] refuting claims he told Premier Paula Cox that he will withdraw the BIU’s support if she removes Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess – a former BIU president – from Cabinet. Mr Furbert also stated he is a “life member of the PLP”, and said his support for Premier Cox and the PLP is “unwavering.”
Mr Furbert’s full statement follows below, click ‘Fullscreen’ for greater clarity:
Hmm. A press release more significant for what it doesn’t say, than what it does.
Union Presidents should represent their members not ANY party to which they are life long members. I want feel that he supports me and not the party. Right now I’m not to sure.
Well a written statement puts an end to that wow i wonder how much else information is sent out not correct.
There’s alot of Michael Jackson fans still around – moonwalking everywhere you turn.
Its the old trick of getting your voice out there by hook or by crook!
Great, now lets see Paula boot the self-dealing little ***** to the back benches and appoint someone with integrity. What’s Dale doing these days?
Question is…who wrote it for them? I mean, it’s almost grammatically correct.
What an idiot!!
Yes he is!
This country is under a new regime. Burgess/Furbert run tings. Poor Paula still just “the Cog” !
This letter was probably written by Laverne … Hey Laverne ahh… You forgot to sign your name! Lol
what will you folks do when the PLP is returned to office?
Go bankrupt
Leave
Cry
Leave, for sure…. already planning it!
Allready Gone!!
Leave
Watch my future go down the drain.
Apologize to my children and grandchildren for the huge steaming pile of crap they are left with for a country.
Pack up and leave along with the large IB company that I work for. Pastures are greener elsewhere – more friendly and not run by a bunch of bumbling idiots. Oh, and I won’t be lonely either – my friends at the other IB companies will all be on the same plane. Enjoy!
It’s clear who is in charge and pulling Paula’s strings. She’s dancing like Pinocchio right now.
As someone already noted, what good is a Union if it sees its allegiance to the ruling party, rather than to its members? What if its members disagree with the ruling party over an issue? Furbert says he’s always going to be on the PLP’s side, whether that’s good for his members or not. Doesn’t give a damn about whether the members agree.
I only worked that way Rick, you might be right, but your so far off course it’s laughable. The members of the PLP that discuss and debate and vote on issues related to the party, and have the most say. It is a people’s party, and democratic process at work.
Only person that dancing like “Pinocchio” is your silent colt leader Mr. Cannioner, that is common way of how the OBA/UBP operate, not the PLP dearest daddy….
Not “my leader” Betty. I’m not an OBA person. Never met Mr Cannonier, and actually as far as I know I’ve never met anyone who is an OBA member. Got any other theories about me?
You sound just like OBA saying they do not know Mr. Gibbons !! Joke at best!
And all Furbert cares about, as you confirmed in your comment, is what the PLP says. Not what the union members want. If the two are different, his undying allegiance is to the PLP, not to his membership. He doesn’t care what his membership thinks. He cares what the PLP thinks.
“… you might be right, but your so far off course it’s laughable” That is, I believe, an oxymoron. Which is laughable in itself.
C Furbert is trying to become an MP. He is tryin to stay on the good side of the Premier. So why would he threaten to pull support? This was another media granstanding event. But logic and reason confirms that he cannot “afford” to alienate the Premier. His aspirations are too great. The members should certainly be questioning his conflict of interest. How can he ever reasonably be representing the “workers” against the government when he wants nothing more than to be a part of the “government”? Such a joke.
“The members should certainly be questioning his conflict of interest.” What is there to question? It doesn’t get any clearer than this! They must now decide if they wish to be a part of the flock!
Popular Media in Bermuda, must exercise correct reporting practices, and be sure to get their sources correct. Not everyone rushing to give you a story is always correct, they too have a hidden agenda. If it is not from the horse’s mouth, it is best to step forward with great caution, or do not report at all. Media is so hungry for a story that they seen to print anything, seldom seems like the stories are reported with facts. Most of their stories seem to be from “Talk Show” interviews. Come on Media get it right.
Hard to get it right when 9 times out of 10 all the media gets is ‘no comment’
This is not the media getting the story wrong. Furbert’s statement was damage control after he said on ZBM news last night that there would be consequences if Premier Cox removed Burgess from Cabinet.
I dont recall Furbert saying any such thing. In fact during the whole story, Furbert was never quoted.
He was forced to deny what he meant. So, he said it.
@Specialgirl4you:
I can admit that the local media get the story wrong on occasion; however, this story was not a fabrication nor was it done to attack the Govt or Mr. Furbert. The source was genuine and when the Reporter (namely Gary Moreno) followed up with 2 separate phone calls to get a statement from Mr. Furbert – he did not respond. Did he make the comment? I don’t know, but was the inference made?
From my standpoint, I find it interesting that he did not respond when questioned, but then provides a press statement less than 24 hours after the original story was reported.
And his statement that his support for the Premier and the PLP Govt is “unwavering” is very disturbing to say the least – - – The BIU should not be lead by someone who can and has indicated that they are sawyed by their personal support for one Premier or a particular party (his words, not mine).
This is scary – - honestly – - we can do better than this, Bermuda.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)
You think that’s scarey… wait until Burgess becomes Premier… or wait until the Loo-tenant becomes Premier! There are two camps in the PLP/BIU now. Paula is part of one camp trying to do the best she can. The other camp is headed by many of the haters on the Central Committee, and they want Burgess or Burch as Premier. I’m not kidding. That’s why Burgess refused to resign: he obviously does not support Paula. And that’s why Birch is keeping quiet. Meditate on that.
Yng Black Mind says@Z:: The story is not correct, and the information reported on the evening news was false. If Mr. Furbert was not available for comment at the time when the media requested it, he should have not have reported it. A reporter should ensure that their sources are correct. As people do not always listen directly to what persons are saying and often mis-interpret the information out of context. I have not doubt what was said, and have it written down, word for word. So indeed it is incorrect. As I said often some persons have a hidden agenda, and are working towards their own interest. Whatever, those persons are attempting to do, it did fail. The media and OBA/UBP are hungry for a story on the PLP and therefore, will attempt too spin incorrect information in many directions. But I am sorry your not able to check off your list that MR. Burgess is going to be remove. The political sinister act to attack the PLP and Mr. Burgess has failed. The target has been missed….so move on.
Nothing wrong with standing firm on what you believe and know.
“The political sinister act to attack the PLP and Mr. Burgess has failed”
While the sinister plot of paying unauthorized funds (and yes 50% of those funds were never authorized by the board) to PLP branch chairpersons for a $10k per page report (which is only 16 pages) will never be viewed by the public (you know the ones that paid for it)has worked. While at the same time having the Deputy Premier fully ignore the Premier’s mandates to remove such individuals and allowing such “unethical” practices to occur.
Just because you support such cronyism and “unetihcal” behavior doesn’t mean that everyone has to drink your kool-aid Betty.
Instead of any punishement Burgess remains a Deputy leader and Bean has been selected for a PLP candidacy. But once again stalwarts such as yourself prove that it is Party before Country any day of the week.
What happen to “resetting the dial?” The problem with “resetting the dial” 360 degrees is that nothing has changed and the rot will continue.
Now call me racist, tell me take off my hood, calle me an OBA/UBP troll…
But whatever you do never address the facts!
Hold on wasn’t Andre Curtis also a PLP branch chairperson who was paid funds which breached financial instructions?
I know what I want to be when I grow up!
Does Bernews have access to video of the local news. Should be easy to verify what was said/not said.
Mr. Furbert is lined up to be another bumbling polatrickan can’t you see that .
Former United Bermuda Party communications consultant Don Grearson is doing press work for the One Bermuda Alliance.
Mr Grearson is working as a freelance writer for the party which formed as an alliance of the UBP and the Bermuda Democratic Alliance in May.
He left the UBP after four years’ service in January, as the then-official Opposition faced fund-raising difficulties.
Mr Grearson, author of ‘USS Bermuda’, a book about America’s military establishment on Bermuda, worked for the UBP as a press officer and on party strategy.
The OBA yesterday said he is not the party’s official press officer, and is asked to help on a freelance basis from time to time.
Your point?
@ Laverne Furbert – And your point is?
Never mind the point, ask her when are the Drones gonna be here? When are the factory ships gonna arrive? When do the bus ticket prices go up? What the UBP or OBA do or did is pointless, the PLP are in power. I WANT TO SEE DRONES FLYING AROUND THE ISLAND!!
Have you been at the gin Laverne? Even by your standards this is an odd, rambling post.
Seems as if all that nicotene is taking its toll on the defender/8 votes.
That post is nonsensical!
typo—nicotine.
So Laverne, What does Don Grearson have to do with this issue other than the book he wrote is a must read for anyone interested in the monumental screwup the PLP mmade of dealing with the baselands & BLDC?
And your point…?
Oh sorry, you don’t need a point!
So What!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ok Laverne… Your point is????? duh!!!’
Btw did you write that letter above?
No, the grammar is far too good to have come from LaVerne.
At least he doesn’t work with the BIU !
Its a great moment in politics when you can get someone to deny something. Thank you Chris.
Chris Furbert, your shooting yourself in the foot by lying. There was about 1000 present and heard your indirect support for Mr. Burgess. the questions asked by the audience was poor and the intimidation was great!! The intimidation of asking who do you vote for, it better be the PLP. Quest what, I will say PLP to your faces, but in the ballot box, NEVER AGAIN!!! WE are destroying ourselves by not being true to what is really going on, and one of the problems is you. Stop being selfish and think of your childrens future Mr. Furbert!!!
@Observer stop telling lies. I was there, he never spoke on behalf of the Union nor did he come at the Premier in any way. He made comments as a PLP member addressing the Chair. Your probably the one who made the bogus statement to the press. What was reported about the CC meeting was completely false. Simple
Red Flag, dont even give time to Observer. It is obvious they are just an OBA fanatic. I wasn’t at the PLP meeting but I find it unbelievable that there were 1000 people in Alaska Hall.
@Itsaboutallofus I feel you. And yeah 1000 people? Lol really shows who ever observer is they don’t know what their talking about. Just saying anything.
OBA = divide & conquer
BIU = united we stand
it’s too late in the day for us to be STILL falling for divide and conquer tactics.
Seems to be working so far.
@trident – you forgot PLP = Please Leave Politics !
ALL THOSE OBA/UBP fans are wishing they were a “fly on the wall” at that meeting, so now they are drumming/twisting up story lines, like most of the popular media does from time to time. They want to know so bad……., and therefore will resort to falsehoods and fairly tales. They are not able to mark off their check list;;; Mr.Burgess gone……oh it is a people’s party and that who makes the decisions. It is not like the OBA/UBP where a small group of white elitism make all the decisions. Please do not allow them to gain information from you,let them believe what they must, even if it is their own twisted/ fairly tale story. oooOOH would they like to know….that there is no secret conspiracy at work here…except the OBA/UBP attempting to bring the PLP down, by any means necessary to win votes.
Racist.
Yeee Hawww!!!!! Here come da bogeyman!
Knew it wouldn’t be long before some a$$-hat pulled this one out of their bag of boring trix.
If you want examples of drumming-up or twisting falsehoods and faireytales, you need only read your own posts. YAWN.
You mean white *elitists*. Just like your PLP/BIU black elitist class, the Nouveau Riche, the new 40 Thieves, who think they control the Island.
See ya….
The only liers are yourselves, always wanting secrecy and undermining truth. You know what Chris was aluding to. Also why are we being asked who we are voting for? Are we becoming another country that creates hatred and violence if we don’t vote for our own? No matter which party wins the election, I don’t care, because we are going to suffer no matter who is in control. And our membership will suffer even more because there is no money left. The Government is broke thanks to us voting and trusting them. The same ones we are being told to protect collectively. The country will have to borrow again and more and more rich Bermudians will continue to sell and leave. More expats will leave and the only ones left will be the shinking middle class and poor that can’t create jobs due to lack of funds that will be left. Please watch the movie “life and debt” which is a video/ducumentory, said to say that is our future. we as Black Bermudians were the envy of our brother in other counties, now we are the laughing stocks. Just ask ourselves why?
I’m getting so tired of the constant bickering about this dumb politics b*******. Truthfully, I am not voting for neither parties. It’s time to do away with party politics! I vote we get rid of all of these green eyed politrickcians!!!!!
I do not understand how a union leader can pledge his allegiance to a political party! Is this legal? And shouldn’t the members be worried?!
Any other country would have BEEN fired the deputy premier for all of his unethical behaviour.
Wake up Bermuda we are not going in the right direction!!!!!
2012-2013 is going to be a pivotal point for this island. I can see riots down one road and starvation down the other road!!!! We are going to hell in a basket while the politicians are still grabbing the cookies from the cookie jar!
Specialgirl4you – the way she was speaking it was like she was in the meeting herself. Come to find out she want even there She’s one to continue to have the PLP’s back no matter what wrongdoings they do. I have no problem with anyone that continues to support any party but when some continues to defend defend defend wrong doings it just goes to show those people are blind loyalists right until the ship sinks. They’ll learn. We’ll see how many blind PLP loyalists are left in June! Cog call the election now before you even lose more support. Most of your loyalists are running scared
I have a feeling SpecialGirl is thousands of miles away. Right Betty? Or is it Valerie?
Like you Cancer, you support the UBP/OBA regardless if they are right or wrong, So do not point a finger at anyone, and forget yourself. You are a OBA/UBP or is it UBP/OBA LOYALISTS, and shout the loudest. “Empty vessels make the most noise.”
You defended all those deals done by the UBP/OBA in building up their wealth. Contracts were given to their friends and family members, and it is still going on….go talk about that and stop throwing stones at glass houses.
Help me understand! BIU had a meeting about the fate of Derrick Burgess? From where I sit, there seems to be some grave concerns about whether or not Burgess should stay or go, What’s bothering me is that this is obviously a bone of contention within the PLP. either way DB has caused them some votes, anger and mistrust.
The question now is DB what you gonna do?
No, the BIU did not have a meeting about the fate of Derrick Burgess. Read the statement again and see if you can get a better understanding.
What proof do you have that Minister Burgess has caused the PLP some votes? As I see it, the majority of people in the PLP are very supportive of Minister Burgess.
I think Minster Burgess will again top the polls as he has always done. Without a doubt he is one of the hardest working PLP MPs.
What’s he “gonna do”? Represent his people as he has done since he was elected to Parliament in February 1998.
Any more questions?
Yes, here’s another question: “Were you ever taught to proofread?”
Were you?
Yes, I was, and I practice it regularly. You might want to give it a try.
“What proof do you have that Minister Burgess has caused the PLP some votes?”
“Caused?” Do you mean “cost?”
I won’t be voting for Pee El Pee because of D Burgess. There you go LaWerne, proof that DB is costing the Kool aid party aka Please Leave Politics aka the Party Lovin Party votes.
Being the “hardest working PLP MP” is about the same as being the skinniest person on episode one of The Biggest Loser (i.e. not much to be proud of).
…and besides that. That title has to go to DB …Dale Butler.
All,
This illustrates the “PLP problem” this island faces. Even when caught with BLATENT evidence of wrong doing, this group continues to back their own members and act as if it simply didnt happen or that it doesnt matter. Simple formula.. two dashes of race card followed by a dash of pointless and un-related insults and a teaspoon of ignorance from Laverne Furbert. “Woila, corruption is served”
I recon its great that they want to retain someone with such questionable ethics as Mr. Burgess right now… It only helps to rid the island of the “PLP problem” going forward into the next election… Keep up the GREAT work Mr Burgess. Hopefully the OBA pays him to stay on in the PLP ;0 He is doing them a favor.
Just when I thought Paula had some integrity, she shows weakness and fear as she is afraid to Fire Mr. Burgess. The same weakness she had as the finance minister to stop us from getting into this fiscal situation in the first place! Show some integrity and do what you know is right Madamme Premier…
Him and others like him as costing the island too much. The cost of keeping the PLP in power is a bill Bermuda can no longer foot. The selfishness of a few will bring down the whole island if allowed to continue.
-Noel
@Noel if you were being honest with the situation you would note that the premier took immediate action once the matter was brought to her attention. She took responsibility for that area of Government away from Deputy Premier Burgess as well as the Ministry which he most loved. She did punish his actions, if that punishment was sufficient or not is left to perception. Also you fail to note that under the West-minster System by which we operate, one of 3 things would have to occur in order for the Deputy Premier to me removed from that post, 1) a vote of no confidence in the house of Assembly, 2) a special convening of the PLP Delegates conference would have to be called were Party Delegates would have to vote on the matter, 3) He could resign himself .This is because the Deputy Leadership is not an appointment by the Premier,it is an elected post by Party delegates which then requires an appointment by the GOVERNOR for Deputy Premier. So there’s no Party “congo” preventing the Premier from any action of such on the matter, it is the system under which we are Governed that sets the process. Any PLP Premier or OBA premier would have to follow the same process so be real on the topic. The fact is the Premier has took action on the matter and it is unreasonable to expect her to punish Minister Burgess twice for the same matter even if she could do what some are calling for. Had there been something illegal down then it would be a different story all together. So as this matter would have to be taken to a vote in one way or another, how about we let the constituents of C5 decide his fate in politics? As they will determine if he will continue to have a seat in the house or not.
So take a clear look at what’s has taken place as far as new policy put in place to prevent issues like this from taking place (Also noted in the AG’s report which seems to be ignored by those who oppose the PLP) and more are to come in the road to assure good governance and accountability.
Asked to give up 8% this year…16% next year and 32% in 5 years. Wait and see. Paula…you better do something girl. These paychecks y’all getting better start working for them!!!
Derrick Burgess aint gonna go anywhere voluntarily – that’s cuz he’s all for himself – his behavior has been on boarder line of unethical and something else…. And the Cog cant touch him!
easy yblood
@ Cancer…….He is more honorable than you. He has devoted his life to giving service to his country. What have you done, except sit in Cyber-space and lynching people under your hood. Calling the government all the adjectives your capable of. You need to check yourself.
“Service is the rent we pay, for living on earth”. Have you provided any service to your fellow men and country?
HAHAHAHA….. more like ‘servicing’ his countrymen.
The subtleties around your use of ‘lynching’ and ‘hood’ are laughable. Talk about flamebaiting. Keep drinking the Kool-Aide. Yummy, is it?
Just too funny.
Sadly though, what’s happened/happening to Bermuda as a result of these self-serving individuals, is far from funny.
She is truly pathetic and part of the problem…
Everytime she refers to a black opposition member she states Uncle this or Uncle that, while at the same time stating that she hopes for a unified Bermuda…
Is there a level of corruption that may take the BIU’s support away from Derrick Burgess?
I am just wondering what that level may be. Or does Derrick get Furbert’s support regardless of what acts he commits..where does the support end? Can Burgess do NO WRONG in Furbert’s eyes?
What should happen is that all companies should make us pay our dues ourselves and not take it out of our paychecks. Save the companies money in administration fees and we will see how many of us will go there to pay. Bro chris and Sis LaVerne will then have to really go out and work for a living because many of us would keep the dues and not waist our time. They are getting rich on our money and feeding us with alot of hatred. Protecting ones that should not be protected to save face. But I am glad that more of us are reading the play now, we have lost faith it the our Broke BIU and our Broke Government.
I don’t care what the PLP do because the UBP did the same thing. How stupid is that statement. Makes Grown adults sound like a child. Why did ‘we’ vote the PLP into power? Can someone remind me? Can’t vote for the UBP or OBA due to the past, can’t vote for the PLP due to their actions now.
Are the Drones going to be in the budget this year?
You care, that’s why you took the time to write on the blogs, if not why write? You are mad because I mention the history of the OBA/UBP, that most of you often would just like to wish away, but yet kill others and throw stones until death. But, one should not do that, and one should never forget what is going on within their own political house. The PLP may not have done everything perfect, but that is not unusual for any political party. However there are somethings they have done extremely well, and credit must be given where it is due.
Not really. The first line is what some posters appear to be saying. I’m not mad at you, don’t even know who you are. No stones were thrown, just saying, just because the UBP did things does not make it right for the current government to do the same things. I post because I live here and it’s fun to read some of the things people put out there. Anything wrong with that?
Please don’t pretend to know anything about what I care about. If you follow the thread, I did not reply to anything you posted.
When are the Drones going to be here?
@ specialgirl4you: I repeat: if we wanted more of the same stuff the UBP did, we would have kept them. We voted for the PLP because we wanted a change. Instead what we got was the UBP in black-face excusing bad behaviour with “Well, they did it”.
Well, that’s not good enough, and what ever good the PLP has done (although I can’t think of anything that hasn’t been rescinded or re-worked), it doesn’t make up for the monumental cock-up they’ve made of everything else, most particularly the economy. Our prospects of coming out of this recession in any shape but terminally ill are small to non-existent! I am beyond disgusted.
Finally!