PLP Encourage OBA To Work With Unions

April 23, 2013

The Progressive Labour Party is “disappointed at the OBA’s failure to publicly address the concerns raised by Bermuda’s unions last week,” Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Walter Roban said this evening [Apr 23].

Mr Roban continued, “Concerns about government layoffs, OBA factual inaccuracies and a seeming unwillingness to engage the unions in meaningful discussions have all created an atmosphere of uncertainty.

“The One Bermuda Alliance must move swiftly to engage in tripartite discussions on the issues facing our people during these tough economic times; drawing on talent from all sectors of our community and not just from their friends in the business sector.

“From our experience, Bermuda’s unions are committed to moving our country forward and over the past two years, willingly partnered with the PLP on solutions that allowed us to reduce spending, prevent massive layoffs and avoid deepening the island’s economic crisis.

“We are mystified as to why an OBA that has claimed to represent all Bermudians, have yet to engage the intellect, creativity and talent within our unions to reach solutions that will benefit us all.

“The OBA should be aware that the Labour Advisory Council is in place already and could play a role immediately in uniting labour, government and the private sector in constructive discussions, yet this resource is being neglected.

“The OBA have spoken often of ‘shared sacrifice,’ yet to date the burden of sacrifice has been planted squarely on those who can least afford to sacrifice,” continued Mr Roban.

“In light of layoffs already announced and concerns that the OBA haven’t told us the whole story on job security within the civil service, there is understandably a great deal of uncertainty and mistrust within our community. The OBA owes the people answers and leadership. So far, both have been in short supply.

“For the OBA and Bermuda to succeed they must become responsive to the issues raised by our unions and show a willingness to sit down immediately as equal partners. This tripartite partnership is key to our emerging from the recession united in sacrifice and united in the work to bring our country forward,” concluded Mr Roban.

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Comments (28)

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  1. Triangle Drifter says:

    Roban needs to take a chill pill & go sit in a corner somewhere. He had 14 years to make Bermuda a better place & blew his chances away.

    Pandering to the union in part got us in the mess that the OBA has to sort out today.

    • collins says:

      Roban needs more than a chill pill ….he needs to reflect on what he has not done for bda.

  2. Digglie says:

    Does anyone actually take anything these people say seriously these days?

  3. lickin the wounds says:

    I agree that every government should try and work with the unions. I’m sure they will try just like the PLP claim to have done. However, is there any talking to, and reasoning with, the power hungry BIU. They need to continue with the drama and the smoke and mirrors to distract the membership from the REAL internal issues!

    I believe many of us would agree that we respect most unions and their members, but after defending bus and ferry operators that were found to be under the influence, last minute and illegal work stops, marches and so on – what person that is not a member can say that the BIU is a respected, law abiding and fair union.

  4. here's a thought.... says:

    how about the UNIONS work with the OBA – honestly, have we not had enough of the tail wagging the dog YET??

  5. JT says:

    Working with the unions does not mean bowing to them. Nor does it mean the unions should be included in every aspect of decision making. That needs to stop for the good of Bermuda.

  6. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    the plp is finished.
    the biu is finished.

    Case Closed.

  7. Mad Dawg says:

    I like the way these people think “shared sacrifice” somehow means “guaranteed employment for union workers”.

  8. god1st says:

    So you think.

  9. Navin Johnson says:

    Walter you are laughable. Does anyone care what you have to say ?

  10. Concerned says:

    how can you work with people that are not willing to work with you? Right from the start the BIU took actions against a government who had just inherited a unstable and unsastainable civil service, and there was back to back industrial action and threats of action. They lead the march on term limits and their propaganda radio station only talks hate and anti government radoric. Again I ask, how can you work with people who are totally against you. Their own supporters need to ak their union, where is the money, our money. Why are the union salaries so high and so top heavy? The management need to have their employees take their dues to the union and not collect for them. See how many memebers would take time to take their dues; So glad the OBA won, millions saved on not giving that so called 7 million grant that would of disappared and never paid back. At least my money goes to charity now, and my vote does not go to the PLP/BIU anymore neither.

  11. JD says:

    Mr Roban continued, “Concerns about government layoffs, OBA factual inaccuracies and a seeming unwillingness to engage the unions in meaningful discussions have all created an atmosphere of uncertainty.”

    Wait a minute. Is this coming from the same guy who announced publicly that he thought 150 government workers had been fired, when in actuality 15 temporary workers concluded their work assignment?

    Who exactly in this situation is creating an atmosphere of uncertainty?

    Speaking of uncertainty as far as I can tell there is not one fact in this entire statement. All I am reading here is a collection of vague references.

    Mr Roban – Can you help us out and post a list of the “unaddressed concerns” raised by Bermuda’s Unions, and the “OBA factual inaccuracies”.

    Oh and how about a list of the PLP solutions over the last 2 years that allowed us to reduce spending, prevent massive layoffs and avoid deepening the island’s economic crisis.

    • LOL(original TM*) says:

      You’ll be waiting forever…………….

      LOL

      • SoMuchMore says:

        and ever and ever… LOL the man is a joke and must be Dr. Evil’s twin LOL

  12. Chaos Theory says:

    “We are mystified as to why an OBA that has claimed to represent all Bermudians, have yet to engage the intellect, creativity and talent within our unions to reach solutions that will benefit us all.”

    Intellect, creativity and talent, in the BIU…. sorry, fail to see the connection there.

  13. Building a better Bermuda says:

    Wow, is the PLP trying to lecture about union relations. Did they not leave the police hanging for over three years without a contract and refuse to abide by an arbitrated agreement, yet when a bus driver was caught calling out sick to work another job… and not for the first time, they gave him his job back.

  14. Rock Watcher says:

    They both need to work together as otherwise the whole Country is screwed – but this just may not happen as the BIU will want to make sure that the OBA does not succeed.
    We all know that a 10% (at least) pay cut for all Govt. workers is coming and that won’t be popular but may prevent several hundred Govt. workers losing their jobs – which is the option!
    Let’s face it you could cut WE by a third in man numbers and it would make no difference to what they do! The Post Office are dealing with millions of less mail now than a few years ago but have not been downsized!
    How many extra jobs in the civil service have we had in the past 10 yrs – with nothing really more to do!
    Get real people 50%, maybe, of Govt. workers are not needed.
    Recession – not even hit Bermuda yet!

  15. OMG says:

    “From our experience, Bermuda’s unions are committed to moving our country forward” – this statement is such a farce. From someone who deals with the Unions they are only worried about the paycheck and benefits – and that is it!!!

    It is the benefits that kill an operating company let alone the hard stance that the BIU always take – they will shut you down.
    What none of the workers have realized is that their pay is based upon the worst employee not on the good work of each individual.

  16. 1minute says:

    The PLP should encourage the Unions to work with the OBA as well…

  17. James Rego says:

    “From our experience, Bermuda’s unions are committed to moving our country forward and over the past two years, willingly partnered with the PLP on solutions that allowed us to reduce spending, prevent massive layoffs and avoid deepening the island’s economic crisis.

    “We are mystified as to why an OBA that has claimed to represent all Bermudians, have yet to engage the intellect, creativity and talent within our unions to reach solutions that will benefit us all.

    Did he really say this with a straight face?

    This man with his slick suits and twisted thoughts is so irrelevant. If he were to honestly review what he and his pals had done over the past 14 years, he may figure out why he and the former premier were so unceremoniously dumped last year December.

    Keep talking the talk Mr. Roban, you will ensure the OBA will remain the government for a long time to come.

  18. Vulpes says:

    What union?

  19. Argosy says:

    Mr. Roban. Please stop insulting our intelligence any more.

  20. Garry Marshall says:

    Like they EVER did!!!! PLP are sounding like a broken record these days, i guess after screwing up the Country they have to TRY and look good. LOL

  21. Just a thought says:

    Please go away Mr. Roban…14 yrs left us in this mess. There are many government workers who feel they can behave any way they want in their “secure ” jobs….many are lazy to say the least and would never survive in the private sector…the sense of entitlement is astonishing and their bad customer service is an example…barely a smile let alone an acknowledgement, the facial expressions and “looking through you” may well make them feel important but it’s time to sift out the real workers and weed the others out. Bermuda needs to go back to being the warm and friendly service provider it once was..Mr Roban neeeds to take a break from the blame gamebecause some of the blame lies in a heap at his feet..

  22. LOL(original TM*) says:

    Like a good neighbor Roban is there…………………….

    lolololol

    LOL

  23. Bermyman says:

    “From our experience, Bermuda’s unions are committed to moving our country forward and over the past two years, willingly partnered with the PLP on solutions that allowed us to reduce spending, prevent massive layoffs and avoid deepening the island’s economic crisis.”

    The above statement is a ‘factual inaccuracy’.

    Could Robain please explain how the above statement makes any factual sense? If anything the Unions have been a large factor in preventing economic growth in Bermuda, do we recall the damage to our tourism reputation that took place last summer? On top of that they have cost us more with their unreasonable demands, dock workers disputes and general public transport strikes. Overall if you were to point a finger at one of the main reasons that Bermuda has inhibited economic growth, then it is definitely the Unions. The recession continued to deepen under the PLP and their so called ‘working’ with the unions did not prevent that from continuing.

    Robain’s statement is hogwash and lacks any real meaning apart from trying to stir up more strikes and disruption to this country’s recovery.

  24. SoMuchMore says:

    Robain is saying if you ‘dress me up in a suit and tie’ I am so much better than before. Bie shut up, you and the plp clan need to sit back and keep quiet for a bit cause i am tired of hearing all your moans.

    now moving onto more important things like making sure the dock is FIXED