Dock Workers Return To Work This Afternoon
[Updated] Following yesterday’s walk off, dock workers are back working this afternoon [Jan 8], with the discharge of the Oleander starting at 2pm,.
The BIU Port Workers Division has been embroiled in a long dispute with Stevedoring Services about pay and layoffs. Yesterdays dock workers attended a meeting at the Bermuda Industrial Union [BIU] and did not return to work.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, BIU President Chris Furbert said if Stevedoring Services is laying people off that day, the workers were given no choice but to “withdraw their labour”.
A statement released by Container Ship Management, said: “Please note that we have been informed the discharge of the Oleander will commence at 1400 (2pm) today.
“We will be requesting a late gate to accommodate our customers. Provided all goes well with the discharge, we will be departing Wednesday morning for NJ and will be able to keep our schedule with 1687 arriving Monday January 14th.”
Update 3.30pm: The Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy confirmed that he has today met and worked with both Stevedoring Services Limited [SSL] and the BIU to reach an agreement that would see all parties cease and desist any further action as it relates to their ongoing dispute at this time.
Minister Fahy confirmed that it is the Ministry’s intention to refer the matter to the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal for settlement with effect from tomorrow, 9th January, 2013.
Minister Fahy said, “The Ministry recognises that the public is growing increasingly weary regarding matters of industrial action such as this.
“Business operations on our docks represent a vital and essential service for our Island, and these disruptions to our trade and commerce is something that our Country just cannot – and should not have to endure at this critical juncture.
“Today, I listened intently to both sides, and appreciated their advocacy regarding the various sides of the issue. And it is our hope that over the course of the next few weeks, meaningful solutions can be mapped out so that all parties involved can benefit.”
The Minister also confirmed that it is the Ministry’s intention to ensure that Arbiters hears and makes an award regarding the dispute within a 40-day period.
Update 4.57pm: Peter Aldrich, CEO & General Manager, Stevedoring Services Ltd this afternoon said, “We met with Minister Fahy early this morning and we urged him to take the appropriate steps to avert the possibility of legal action.
“We are pleased with the interim agreement, which saw the return to work of our unionized workers and a 40-day cooling period to complete the arbitration process.
“This allowed us to resume unloading containers as of 2pm today and, ultimately, brings us closer to a long-term resolution in this matter, which is what we have been seeking since 2011.
“While we have been working closely with the Department of Labour Relations throughout this entire process, we received very little support and it was not conducive to a resolution being reached. This has also perhaps resulted in incomplete or untimely information being delivered to the Minister.”
Mr Aldrich continued: “It is our opinion that we ended up where we are today due to the ineffectiveness of the Labour Relations Department and their failure to properly address our issues from the start.
“I reiterate that, at every stage of these negotiations, Stevedoring has been open and honest with all parties and sought the necessary legal advice to ensure that it is acting legally and operating within the confines of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the law as we very much respect the process.
“We are hopeful that the arbitration process will address the economic realities that both we as a company and our staff now face.
“As ever, we remain committed to working with our valued employees to find a sustainable solution. Once again we apologize for the inconvenience to our customers and the importing public caused by the temporary inactivity at the port,” concluded Mr Aldrich.
Update 7.59pm: The Bermuda Employers’ Council said they are “very concerned that so soon into the New Year and after a General Election, there developed a strike on the Docks.
“The negotiations over changes to the collective agreement, as it relates to working hours and unproductive time, have gone on for over a year and both sides have to respect that the dispute has been referred to arbitration.
“Union members on the Docks have worked under essential services legislation since 1975. They and the Union should respect the law, uphold their agreements, work accordingly and not go on what is essentially an illegal strike when there other accepted and proven ways of solving disputes. Any strike action affects medical supplies, essential goods and potentially pushes any economic recovery further away.
“Layoffs have been part of Management Rights for 70 years under the Docks collective agreement. Unfortunately, layoffs have become increasingly common in Bermuda ; but this is the first year the Dock workers have been affected.
“In the current collective agreement certain Management decisions may be challenged by the Union as unfair; and whether management has the right to lay off staff at this time can be dealt with without resorting to a strike. The entire labour relations dispute can be dealt with under the existing law with mutual respect and goodwill and certainly without industrial strife.
“We commented once before…Having different positions or conflicting ideas in industrial relations is not an issue, it is how we as a country choose to resolve them will determine our future and our world-wide reputation….Industrial strife jeopardizes the well-being of all Bermudians by affecting our reputation to attract investment and reinvestment in hotels and tourism and makes a mockery out of efforts to show that Bermuda is a good place to business.”
Thank you OBA for recognising theres a problem and working towards a solution to these crazy strikes.
good for the dock workers
Agree
I’m glad they are back to work and I hope that both parties can come to an amicable agreement. There will have to be sacrifice on both sides. Workers have to accept that times are difficult and that in order to remain employed, sacrifices have to be made. On the other side, management also has to try their best to work with the staff they have and they too will have to make sacrifices. The burden can’t all be put on the employee, but at the same time… businesses have to make money. I don’t understand why Chris Furbert always wants to strike. For crying out loud… negotiate! Strikes are for when there are no other options, and should rarely be used. Strikes do nothing to help the workers and only hurt all of Bermuda.
Maybe the dock workers felt there was no other option but to strike.
Hmmm…wonder if the general mood of the Island towards the BIU has played a part.
Ya think
Furbert, you were on the talk shows today to save face, but the truth will come out sooner than later my brother.
Triangle,the people of bermuda have seen the light,we are sick and tired of the bull shit that our former leader (AKA) “the cog”has allowed certain members of her party to put us in the debt that we are now in…..and else for president Furbert your days are numbered, the people of Bermuda will no longer take your $%^&.
I still don’t understand why the dock workers “have a right to a job” etc etc etc when there is no job to do?
Granted, there’s still A job… but if it’s 80% of what it was 5 years ago, what makes the workers and BIU feel they’re entitled to 100% staffing?
You can’t understand it because it makes no sense, the BIU have tried that tactic recently with other Companies telling the employer the numbers they need to keep…really! It’s all in fear of losing their numbers but they aught to stay out of the business of these Companies because the union couldn’t run a supermarket or credit union so the expertise they bring to the table isn’t wanted by anyone. The end for the unions is coming, there is sufficient protective legislation on the books to prevent employee abuse.
The end of unions huh ,lmao . You know there are other unions beside biu right that act very responsibly right ? Do you forget that most of the corporate folk couldn’t change a light bulb without paying someone right . Don’t forget who makes the wheels turn on this island , the workers are the majority and hold the real power . The workers deserve a fair cut of the profits of a business as they do the actual work , don’t bs me about about a manager taking a cut of 200g a year to maybe 150 when their house is paid off and childrens college fund is full already when the average guy is living paycheck to paycheck.
OMG, when I read your post, GZA I hear a ‘Chris Furbert voice’ and I cannot get it out of my head! …and that is not a good thing…all credibility lost!
There would be no work for the workers without the investment of capital from the corporate folk into business. They carry the risk of that investment not the workers, thus the profits or losses for that matter are the investors to reap. Workers do not carry any financial risk as relating to the actual running of a business. You say that workers deserve a fair cut of the profits. What about losses? If a company loses money should the workers lose money too?
Don’t like it ??? Tough, you should have listened to your teachers and parentsand studied a little harder when you were in school. That way you could write your own pay checks.
I don’t think many people are against the other unions! However, the way the BIU has handled things in the last 15+ years is disgusting. Unsubmitted financial statements that were 10+ years behind. All sorts of illegal strikes, “meetings” during the day and continuing to defend those that have pilot buses and feries under the influence and too many other similar incidents to mention. This is why we have little to no sympathy and respect for the bullys you know as the BIU.
y-gurl , you are so on the money…. the B.I.U. has lost all credibility amongst it’s members…..
Why is it that whenever a dispute arises, it seems the general consensus among the Bernews commentors is that management is always right? Unless of course that management was the PLP government.
They are the ones making the investment so they have the control. As was said above, should have listened in school. As for the PLP we saw how they CAN”T run dodo. Oh and GZA I own my business employ 15 all but 1 Bermudians and I change my own light bulbs, called recession you do what you have to.
FIRE the lot of them.
these people are acting like dinosaurs and just as they didn’t evolve
they will soon be extinct.
I’m with you, there are a lot of good and smart Bermudians that could do that job and more!
Glad to see that all sides are working toward an equitable solution. Well done, the BIU workers, Stevedoring Services, and Minister Fahy.
Pastor Syl,do you realy think all sides are working together ?or is it your hope ?
Where are we left without hope? She congratulated all parties, is that not enough?
This all is but a ‘small cog’ in the wheel of the workings of the Bermuda economic dynamic.
Judging by a few remarks made on the other thread it seems that the impact of the recession (read : depression) has not yet hit enough people on this island hard enough. Things are not going to be the same as they were for anyone from ,say ,the latter 70′s up through the early 2000′s
Everyone who has a finger in the way things have always been done is going to have to recalibrate their expectations . And recalibrate ‘big time’.
Starting with (to name a few) the banks , landlords , grocery stores and BELCO.
We still have to ‘crash’ before we get it through our collective greedy heads. It just seems it hasn’t gotten through yet .
So with the change in conscription with the Bermuda Regiment coming soon why do they not train all the full time staff they will have to work at the docks, drive buses, deliver mail, drive taxi’s, man the prison’s etc etc so when this happens again no-one will suffer other than those who choose to strike! When they are ready to return to work the Regiment can go back to camp
I like where your head is at! That is a great idea. Backup workers step right in when a strike happens. No interruption of service and teaches the strikers a lesson in job appreciation!!
Glad they went back to work! That strike was idiotic. Vital medicines and perishable goods were on those containers. Since the workers had so call ‘expertise’ one would have thought that they would have ensured that these items were off loaded. Leaving non essential goods on the dock. Maybe Legislation needs to be put into effect where the average Bermudians can form a class action suit against the union if it is determined that their actions have caused grievous bodily harm to private citizens. The withholding or preventing of obtaining / delivering medicines should not be tolerated.
And to think Chris Furbert was annoyed that PLP supporters did not turn out to vote. Actions taken by his membership under his leadership not only nailed the coffin shut this time but shoved the coffin off the docks!
Firstly, before you all get your knickers in a twist get your facts straight. Y-gurl you seem to think that you know what you are talking about, but really that’s not the case. You are totally oblivious to what’s really going on. I just wonder how you would feel if you we’re receiving the treatment that these gentlemen have been getting. If you think that firing them will make the difference you’re sadly mistaken. I guess you don’t know or forget what the unions have faught for for the rights of workers.
Nuffin but de truth……how would you feel if you we’re fired for fighting for what you believed was right. If you had a mortgage, family to support and children in college, but was treated unjustly for fighting for your rights…..guess you would say that it’s ok.
They are not asking for much but to be treated fairly by the agreement that both parties signed. You all have a lot to say because you aren’t in the position they are in. I wonder what you would say if anything at all, if this was you in this position. I’m just saying……
Not sure what rights you’re talking about. A right to a paycheck when there is no work to do? If you haven’t noticed we’ve seen a number of companies go under over the last year and the staff have lost their jobs. What makes this group think they’re any different?
ITS THE ACTIONS OF THE BIU IN THE RECENT PAST THAT HAVE CAUSED US TO STOP LISTENING AND EVEN CARING ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS! WHEN YOU DOWN TOOLS AND LEAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY STRANDED AROUND THE ISLAND, DEFEND FERRY BOAT PILOTS AND BUS DRIVERS OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, CALL ILLEGAL STRIKES WITHOUT NOTICE, IGNORE THE LAW AND REFUSE TO SUBMIT FINANCIALS FOR 10+ YEARS, DON’T EXPECT US TO SAY – POOR GUYS THEY JUST WANT TO BE TREATED FAIRLY! I DON’T CARE FOR THOSE THAT DON’T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES.
IT’S LIKE WATCHING A BULLY THAT HAS TORMENTED AND HURT MANY KIDS FOR YEARS FINALLY GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE! YOU CAN’T HELP BUT SMILE A LITTLE AND THINK “THEY HAD THAT COMING”.
FOR EVERY ACTION, THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION.
Actually, may I add that I know two of the workers and they are great guys and I hold nothing against them personally. Just a case of guilty by assocition,
I say that management no take union dues out of their employees pay. Ask them to deliver the fees to the union themselves or pay the shopsteward on their own time and have he or she take it to the union.
They are broke now, this will definately break Mr Furbert’s high pay and make him have to look for a real job.
Micheal Fahy , you will soon understand why you’ll earn the nickname Hoppin John … Soon come .
Mounbatten? Really?
Mr Fahy is new, what has he done already that you need to conspire against him and Bermuda? Remember, what you, the BIU and the PLP do is against the better of Bermuda. But then again it has always been only about you.
The real facts are that they are payed good money and will recieve in the region of $700.00 per week for the 22 hrs they work and a further $$200.00 plus for staying home.
Not including overtime which is almost offered for every ship.
Of the 22 paid hrs they only work 11 as there are two teams in each gang that work an hour or two on and off.
So $1, 000.00 per week is not bad for 11 hrs of work that takes up 22 hrs of there time.
I would look to drive a taxi or some thing else on the days off.
This is part of the reason Bermuda is so expensive. No where else this would happen. You need to down size and have correct amount of staff so that fees would be less, and this will benefit Bermuda as a whole.
So what about deductions…..that’s going to come out of that pay. So really what will they be taking home. Remembering thAt the lower deduction of $12 for the union. Since you want to air it all out…tell me what upper management is taking home!!!!!!!
Shame that not ALL information is put to the public. …only what they WANT you to know…all the negative comments about the dock workers. ..wow. …smh…if only you knew…..sensationalism really does sell..
Please keep in mind SSL has the right to make layoffs under the CBA. They tried to negotiate this to avoid making that decision. The BIU did not agree to their interpretation of the CBA and pulled a wildcat strike.
In the KFC dispute the CBA had expired and the company did what they were legally entitled to do. The BIU again disagreed with their interpretation.
Seems like having a neutral third party rule on the legality of things is the best option.
@Tricks are for kids, I agree! It is so easy for people to sit and pass judgement when it is happening to somebody else. It’s easy to say this, that and the other when you don’t have to make the sacrifice. I wonder what they would have to say if their management did it to them. Like you said, they don’t have all the facts. These guys work HARD, I have seen it first hand so STOP calling them lazy. Stop running them down, a lot goes on behind the scenes that people just don’t know about so take a break.
They work hard do they! Judging by the pic the other day I see a bunch of very well fed underexercised men. They don’t unpack containers anymore. Everything is handled by machinery. Oh yeah, they might have to guide the crane operator & perhaps throw the latches on containers or sling non containerized cargo. Big deal. What makes them any more special than any other manual job?
If ‘the correct facts’ numbers are correct, these guys have absolutely nothing to complain about. They are living on the gravy train.
They do more than you described. Furthermore, I wonder exactly what you weigh. By the amount of time you spend making comments on various websites, I doubt you get much exercise either LOL
Glad that the strike is over (for now?) and that it seems that all sides are continuing to look for an amicable resolution. However as always there are those that claim to be in the know and chastise other bloggers as being uninformed etc… So why do you all never actually say what it is others don’t know??? Maybe if those bloggers informed others there wouldn’t be so many negative comments regarding these issues.
Well how about it those ‘in the know’ Please inform those of us that are out of the loop of all the things that management are doing wrong!! At least then you would have people laying blame where it belongs. I and many others are waiting … 10:05 AM
Its not my place to tell…..but it never ceases to amaze me how people will “run” with anything presented to them and take it as “the gospel” and cast judgement……there’s ALWAYS a bigger picture than what is being presented………so you can continue to wait. ….you and others accepted what was fed to you…..and spewed all sorts of negativity against people that you don’t even know…..eventually things will come to light…….
@ Tricks…
How have I run with anything??? You obviously haven’t read my previous comments on this topic as I haven’t called anyone names if anything i agreed with another poster that the name calling etc was not called for as we don’t know if the staff are lazy etc….
As for your idea of the bigger picture and continuing to wait please spare me, I have a few good mates and a cousin who works there who I have spoken with by the way so I think I know more than I’m letting on
I just wanted to see if those who keep chastising others about their supposed lack of knowledge on these issues would come out and tell what they ‘claim’ to know. Reading between the lines I could be forgiven if I guessed you probably don’t know much more than many of the other bloggers who know only what they read.
So with that said the negativity that you have displayed in your post to me makes you out to be just as bad as those others who are spewing negativity, sorry but an epic FAIL Tricks …
First of all I did not single you out..
Second of all I probably know just as much as you because my husband works on the dock as a foreman…..so yes I do know more than the average blogger
Lastly nowhere in my post did I call anyone names, bring down any political party, speak ill of anyone, or play the name game like the others to whom I was referring so I fail to see any of the negativity of whichyou speak..
With that said I refuse to engage any further in a bernews tit for tat debate with you.
Have a Great Day!!!
Didn’t say you ‘singled me out’ however you did reply to my post did you not?! Better re read your reply to my post again then, – ……there’s ALWAYS a bigger picture than what is being presented………so you can continue to wait. ….you and others accepted what was fed to you…..and spewed all sorts of negativity against people that you don’t even know…..eventually things will come to light…….
Saying YOU repeatedly sure sounds like you are singling me out, right??? Also … spewed all sorts of negativity … plus referencing political parties ????? As I said I never said anything negative about the staff, union or SSL or any political party why would I, so your point there is????
I bid you a good day as well Tricks … as well as your husband and all of the staff, the Union and SSL hope your day is a good one.
Again I was not referring specifically to you (o whops I used that word again)…apologies in advance if you took it personal..I must remember to skip a “line” or post after the very last post on the page so not to offend in the future…Also I did type in my post..”but it never ceases to amaze me how people”…with PEOPLE being the operative word….last time I checked “people” means more than one “person”……also used the word “others” again that would mean more than one….and I never said that YOU referenced any political party or the like..again I used the word “others” but maybe you didn’t see it and should have a read again and see that it wasn’t directed at YOU specifically….
BIU going into cardiac arrest.
Those that are in the right should expose the whole thing as they would have nothing to hide. When things are this important the public should be fully informed. This would do a couple of things it would, lend support if the union is correct give them credibility and possible more paying members joining and pressure the company to act right or vice versa and pressure the workers to go back to work. Why does everything have to be a secret when it affects the public to the degree that this possible prolonged strike at the docks would cause…………
LOL thought we wanted to do things differently……..
@ LOL (or…)
So True.
This matter has not been resolved for 2 years.
How is it going to be resolved in the next 40 days?
The arbitration ruling will be broken by the BIU with total immunity – AGAIN!!
The labour Department are another lazy lot they should have soughted this out long time .
Ah ha…another good place for staff cuts & money savings then.