Updated: BIU Calls For Members To Leave Work
[Updated] People are gathered at the Bermuda Industrial Union for a Special General Council meeting this morning [Feb 5], called as a result of the labour dispute between the Union and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
The issue began a few days ago when ten people were made redundant at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, with the hotel saying that due to changes in business needs, they are restructuring their operations.
Attendees waiting in the Theatre this morning for the meeting to begin:
Speaking after the layoffs, BIU President Chris Furbert said five of the workers who lost their jobs were BIU members, and three worked as bar porters, while two worked the in-room dining area.
Mr. Furbert expressed concern about the collective bargaining agreement not being correctly followed, calling the Hotel’s actions “inexcusable.”
Earlier this week the Hotel’s General Manager Len Czarnecki said: “It is unfortunate that we are at an impasse with the BIU but look forward to talking with the BIU to resolve the matter at hand.”
Yesterday, staff at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess walked off the job to express their dissatisfaction with the matter, and made their way to the Union.
Late yesterday afternoon Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy said he referred the dispute to a dispute panel on 1st February, with each party being invited to appoint their assessors by 3rd February at 11:00am.
Calling them “very unfortunate circumstances,” Minister Fahy said, “I am renewing my call to both groups and asking them to ensure that business operates as normal as possible until this matter has been satisfactorily resolved. It remains my sincere hope that the parties can rectify this matter for the benefit of all involved.”
We will update as able with additional information as the day progresses.
Update 11.35am: The meeting was called for 9am, and as of this time it is still ongoing
Update 11.48am: The meeting has just ended, and people are filing out of the building.
Update 12.01pm: BIU President Chris Furbert — on the Sherri Simmons show — said the members voted for all BIU members island wide to leave their workplace and come out and march through Hamilton.
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- Videos: March, Minister Fahy, & BIU President | Bernews.com | February 5, 2014
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Everybody waiting for the movie Dumb and Dumber to start …
that has to be the funniest comment I have read in a very long time!
now it needs furby going to be the girl with the ice cream tray during the intermission
Thank you for brightening my morning with this comment.
I think most people have seen that movie when the Premier talks. The OBA needs a strong leader not a puppet to win additional votes. The clock is ticking.
Furbert will be around with the KoolAid shortly.
Actually they saw 12 Years A Slave.
Excellent movie, I give two thumbs up.
And it’s pretty fitting for Black History Month.
Now we really get to see the two Bermuda’s, the Anti-Union Activist(Euro-Colonist) Tea Party mindset and the Pro-Union Activist(Afro-liberation)mindset.
From Dr. Gordon till now same s*** different day.
Here we go again…
Nah, you’re not racist… even though you’re basically saying “White people are bad, just ‘cuz and black people are good, just ‘cuz.”
Pathetic and sickening.
Pictures say a thousand words and the negative comments speaks volumes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWO BERMUDA’S.
Thanks for making my point.
Sickening.
Pictures say a thousand words and the negative comments speak volumes.
TWO Bermuda’s.
Methinks the BIU overplayed their bully hand given the community’s informal scientific reaction to their divisive and baseless tactics.
Sadly 95+% of members/workers’ contributions go towards the union’s executive salaries and expenses leaving virtually nothing for their own members’ benefits and likely nil for recovery of lost wildcat strike wages.
The electorate needs to realize the BIU executive thrive and survive handsomely off the backs of their members’ hard work and labour – far more so than ANY employer. What business allocates 95% of their revenue on dividends for the owner/manager? None.
The BIU is a modern day succubus. How could any reasonable member, voter or taxpayer support 95% of an entity’s fees going towards the personal expenditures of an organization’s management? Bermudians are being deceived and deserve better.
Long gone are the days when members actually received value for their donations. The BIU is no longer relevant, especially since the Employment Act was promulgated and workers’ rights became enshrined in law.
They remind me of an overpriced shyster law firm still trying to profit off the ignorance of the masses.
If your a Union member present it to a meeting if not get over it, it will take more then that to sow discord. NEXT
In the absence of any reported evidence to indicate the FHP failed to explicitly follow the terms of the CBA, the BIU’s concern seems to be centered around a lack of respect and consultation regarding the steps taken by the employer when making these redundancies.
However, their extreme overreaction and definitive failure to set the example they would prefer followed, completely undermines their position … by a hundredfold, if not more.
If the BIU truly want to invest in and support a collaborative reconciliation process, they shouldn’t hold the rest of the country ransom by withholding essential services, calling unrelated workers off the job or disrespecting the Government’s official referral to dispute mediation.
The implied reality and true intent of their decions would lead any reasonable observer to conclude the BIU executive are more concerned with creating havoc and unrest for political gain at the expense of the Government, taxpayers and voters’ interests; which is particularly relevant in advance of the upcoming (truly) maiden OBA budget and necessary cuts as suggested in the SAGE Commission report.
Bermudians have to ask themselves – who is really concerned with our collective well being? The latest BIU antics and their irrational scaremongering would suggest they aren’t.
Hopefully Management will work along with BIU to have this matter quickly resolved. It should not had to go arbitration if Management would have just began talks again.
I thought once the dispute was sent to arbitration every thing went back to normal so the minister needs to do his job and make Hamilton princess take the workers back while talks continue
Here is a working solution:
The BIU pay the wages of these people to be at the Hotel (or at home) until the arbitration is completed.
Why hold the island HOSTAGE ? Don’t the BIU understand the damage they are doing to Bermuda, by taking this action.
Of course they understand. But ever since the election their goal has been to bring down the OBA government by whatever means possible. Furbert has been looking for an excuse for a general strike.
Has anyone mentioned that the Greens got a $14million concession of the TAX PAYERS money to keep workers employed?
I thought not.
Did anyone mention that the Greens are pumping millions and millions into our little island. They employed haow many at the new building on Pitts Bay Rd and going employ how many more to renovate the Hamilton Princess.
AND by the way, it’s not the Greens that run the hotel it’s the Fairmont Group.
Hey, Dumbmazumbo, news flash!! This issue is with the Fairmont Group!! I just returned to the island to learn about this latest nonsense!! Why are you targeting the Green family?? Once again you and your ilk are targeting the wrong people, I would venture to guess that you are targeting them because they are of the white race, no shocker there!!! Personally I think this is the perfect time to starve your type to death!! Maybe you should have read what many former visitors had to say when they saw the pics of those involved that were laid off!! They remembered them for their lousy service?? Oh yeah, I really think they are worth grinding Bermuda to a halt over!! Hopefully those in a position to make a difference in their attitudes will stand firm and not back down!! I think it is the perfect time for all Bermudians to call in that performance bond, $6 million from your irresponsible biu that was forgiven by dreb with the understanding that the biu would not pull this nonsense anymore!! What part of they were paid the 4 weeks pay in Lieu of notice are you missing????
Your ancestors are good at starving people to death but we don’t die we multiply.
Stooping down to his level? Shame!
White race tho? Though the only race was human race!
I thought so to, but remember it’s two Bermuda’s
@ Frank
True words!
Knew you Betty would have your 2sense in … im sure u were at the front of the line…..
Ah yes, the hotel should be reasonable & see it the BIU’s way. Got it.
@ Triangle Drifter,
You mean they should abide by the collective bargaining they signed?
Why you trying to make it out to be something it’s not?
Please tell us exactly what provision of the agreement was breached. Everyone keeps claiming this to be the case but no-one has said what the violation actually was.
@ What exactly,
If you don’t know, that’s your problem. Go find out bra
So far no-one has said what it is.
Even Betty hasn’t commented on the specifics.
When does “Betty” ever comment on specifics? That would include the truth. You’re asking a lot now.
If the hospitality CBA is similar to the one with Government the redundancy clauses (see article 20) are probably comparable. In full:
“Where the Employer permanently terminates the services of any Employee as a result of mechanisation, other work methods, reorganisation, amalgamation or contraction of its services or privatisation, the Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks’ notice, or pay in lieu of notice, and to redundancy pay in accordance with the following schedule:
Less than six (6) months’ service – Nil
Six (6) months’ – one (1) year’s service – One (1) week
Over one (1) year’s service – Three (3) weeks per year”
If so, where is the requirement to consult the union? The language clearly states “the Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks’ notice, or pay in lieu of notice”. Unless there is another clause requiring some form of notice the BIU appear to be making false statements and erroneous assertions.
Hopefully they aren’t trying to hold the country hostage as an attempt to flex their muscles and intimidate the electorate. If so, their selfish plans will surely backfire.
FIRE everyone that has *Walked off the job*
there are 1000′s of people in Bermuda that WANT work and WILL Work!
The days of the biu bullying are over
I can’t take when people make stupid comments. if you don’t work as a hotel worker you won’t understand. How bout working for hotels it’s not how if used to be. Bermudains don’t get promoted anymore . These companies will bring in a person who isn’t qualified and train them up but won’t do it for a local. They will bring in people to serve food be kitchen porters and so on all jobs that Bermuda can do. The don’t want us in our own hotels . I bet they just make the non-Bermudians do all the jobs. I’m a hotel work so I see the bull and stunts they pull . They can let UAE go but the next lot of people will have to fight the same battle . Little pay but want to add more to your plate so the managers can trip back and forward n just get Bermuda money . As a hotel worker we struggle to m get your facts before u think we walking out for nothing.
Promotions generally go to people who work hard, show dedication and the potential for growth.
Doing the standard shouldn’t qualify you. Effectively being in the Union and working by their rules doing just… holds you back.
Nowadays promotions generally go to people who have connections. I have learned its not what you know or how you work but it is all about WHO you know.
Absolutly agree. go to work where there is no union where you have to prove yourself to get a raise etc. whole different story. The problem is there are not many Bermudians that will do these jobs, and no the pay is not great but that is world wide in the hospitality industry. We have already priced ourslves out of the market and that’s because of greed. Do something that is NOT on your job description for a change and things might change. I have to add that no-one Union or not is going to dictate whether I go to work or not. Don’t get me wrong I feel for the young men involved but I have to say did any of them ask HR if there was another area in the hotel they could be moved to and maybe, just maybe learne something different? Or was this against Union rules?
So once again the BIU has inconvenienced the masses. Can someone post a list of restaurants and businesses that employ BUI members so I can avoid them? You inconvenience us, we respond by hitting you in the wallet.
Does Harbourfront have BIU staff? Harry’s? POC? RED? I need to figure out where to stop planning work dinners and family gatherings.
Why not let the arbertration at least start. What if you are wrong and there is a legitimate reason for the action here?
LOL
Indeed – why not let the arbitrstion start…is this your advice to the BIU as well?
Yes it is but the usual proceedure is for everthing to go back to the normal operating thats the BIU and the hotel. So you do agree that the issue started with the hotel makeing these guys redundent correct so if all is back to before the action it would make sense that the workers must go back to work first before arbertration.
LOL atleast be logical in this
That is absolutely NOT the “usual procedure”, and if you thought about it, or wanted to be honest, you’d realise it’s not true. If you fire someone, right or wrong, and it is referred to tribunal, that person goes back to work? Of course not. If upheld, they stay fired, and if reversed they either go back to work with back pay, or they take a settlement.
Almost Every buisness has biu members so eat at home after you grow your own food and kill your own meat. Turn off your lights as well & don’t use your phone or the intenet….need go on. Its people like you that breed ignorance & cause strikes.
Harbourfront does NOT have union members
they should learn how to cook perhaps or to become qualified HVAC technicians, there is plenty of work in Bermuda for these positions, it’s hard work but it will pay ok. So the question is,do I want to work hard or the bare minimum, do I want to learn new things or hold the country ransom for my own comfort?
I can say there people I work with do deserve promotions . It sounds like your a Person that’s not for the people but agaianst US .there ate some lazy bermmudians but what youlf your prefer a lazy bermudian or a non-bermmudians faking the work and passing it on to a bermudian and claiming the glory. Let’s stand together Bermuda n stop fighting each other we are on hard times at this point no-one is lazy we just want our country back. I’m a young bermudian woman whose trying her best to survive .
the way you write/type tells me and everyome else why people like you don’t get promoted!
everyome? I guess you won’t be getting a promotion anytime soon.
Ay that was funny you made my afternoon. Cheers mate!
The change in worker demographics in our hotels came about when Bermudians began to consider the Hospitality Industry as a place were you had to be subservient versus providing service. I remember when the make up of guest workers in the food and beverage areas were primarily European. At that time those Bermudians who chose to enter the industry were welcomed and indoctrinated by those guest worker professional waiters who took pride in their craft and went to great lengths to teach those who were willing to learn. Over time the demographics changed and Bermudians dominated in the food and beverage area. Tourists were flowing to the island; lots of money was to be had by employee and employer alike. Then came the demands for more and more from the employer by the BIU. Strikes followed. The industry began to suffer.
The UBP government of the day saw the impending ruination of our economy and sought out International Business. Bermudians began to go abroad in greater numbers to earn college degrees and flocked to this industry. Hotels began to close. Those that remained found it difficult to hire suitable Bermudians. The mindset of not my job was born. A new group of guest workers began to occupy the hospitality jobs. There was no issue at the outset as there was virtually no such thing as unemployment in Bermuda.
Fast forward to the present. High unemployment. Bermudians consider guest workers a problem. Suddenly jobs that Bermudians had no interest in performing we have people shouting about how Bermudans are unemployed and guest workers are making a living. There are tow sides to every coin. Bermudians just want the side of the guy that best suits them on the day.
The long and short of things are that Bermuda is in a bad way right now and everyone needs to work together to turn things around.
STOP BLAMING. START WORKING TOWARDS A SOLUTION
I totally agree with what is said! Yes, I was one of the Europeans. Bermuda was a dream destination,you need a national referendum to come to your senses.
well said Dennis! I was there during that time and seen that exact change, sad really I love the Island and the people, just a few that make things so troublesome for all.
I wouldn’t do it for a lazy-local – and I am Bermudian. I have worked in the hospitality business for 5 years…
For Example: last week my family and I went for tea at Southampton Princess. Everyone is joking having a grand time. I am watching this pool attendant. Lazily picking up towels, on his blackberry the entire time. this was a solid 30 minutes to pick up 5 towels. Finally all towels are picked up, what is he doing? Sitting off in plain view of guests ON HIS BLACKBERRY!
If I owned or operated that hotel he would have been fired on the spot. Maybe that is what Bermuda needs! Everyone runs behind their cozy Union, and contiune with their ways which poorly reflects Bermuda as a Tourist Destination.
Bermudians (not all but most) are ridiculously lazy. And yet, I recall the motto from my childhood ‘do it right the first time so you don’t have to go back and do it again’
People here do not grasp that concept. There is no initiative, just teeth sucking and constant blackberry-ing.
Wise up Bermuda.
Quick question. How did you know the pool attendant was in fact Bermudian? Did you know the guy? I’m curious to hear.
You are so so right, they / we so called Bermudians seem to feel we are OWED a living but don’t want to work for it. Seen it all over the island in numerous jobs. I show up to collect my pay and you want me to work for it HAHA
If eye rolling ever becomes an olympic sport we shall surely bring home de gold!!!!
“workin hard or hardly workin bay”….
Nuff said I reckon
128 likes and counting. Methinks the BIU overplayed their bully hand given the community’s informal scientific reaction to their divisive and baseless tactics.
Sadly 95+% of members/workers’ contributions go towards the union’s executive salaries and expenses leaving virtually nothing for their own members’ benefits and likely nil for recovery of lost wildcat strike wages.
The electorate needs to realize the BIU executive thrive and survive handsomely off the backs of their members’ hard work and labour – far more so than ANY employer. What business allocates 95% of their revenue on dividends for the owner/manager? None.
The BIU is a modern day succubus. How could any reasonable member, voter or taxpayer support 95% of an entity’s fees going towards the personal expenditures of an organization’s management? Bermudians are being deceived and deserve better.
Long gone are the days when members actually received value for their donations. The BIU is no longer relevant, especially since the Employment Act was promulgated and workers’ rights became enshrined in law.
They remind me of an overpriced shyster law firm still trying to profit off the ignorance of the masses.
Any excuse to not work. They’d have much more power and respect if they actually behaved like adults and followed the agreements they signed.
Pointing and saying ‘they broke the rules first’ does not make what they’re doing right.
Nobody is able to point out how the rules were broken by the hotel. Even Betty won’t comment on the specifics.
I would like to see that
Fire them all in considerate people, time to move on they don’t want a bar porter…bartenders get your own ice EARN YOUR GRATS AND PAY…this is so stupid…..and them that agree with the bartenders are stupid tooo……..
I don’t think think the issue is that the bartenders don’t want to do the work or that the BIU is trying to bully the employer but that management have not respected the agreed protocol (agreed by both employer AND employee). No one is saying the bar porters cannot be made redundant or that the bar tenders can’t/won’t get their own ice but there is an agreed process to go about it. So if you both agreed to a certain process and its disregarded by one party then that brings into question the integrity of either the offending party or the agreement itself.
I know it can be easy to bash the BIU and we are pretty quick to do it but in this case we have to filter the way Furbert delivers his message (because he truly is a PR disaster) and breakdown this unfortunate situation into it’s simplest components.
How would you feel if your boss fired the person sitting next to you today and then threw their work on your desk and said need all this and yours done before you go home? I’m pretty sure you’d be pissed. But if the same boss sat you down and explained the situation first and gave you fair warning before giving you the extra work you may feel differently. A simple conversation made all the difference.
It seems to me that the agreed procedure was to have that conversation between the employer and the BIU (who advocate on behave of the group of employees) and that did not take place. So are the BIU or employees really the monsters that we think they are because they feel the agreement that they understood to be binding was not adhered to?
And before you bash me to a pulp, i’m not a BIU member nor am I a Chris Furbert fan.
I agree that the hotel did not go about it in the proper way. But them allegedly breaking the CBA does not mean that it should be broken further wiht a wildcat strike. Issue the normal 21 day warning and if during that time the issue cannot be adequately resolved then turn to labor action.
But in the end a bar porter is now a redudant position and the workload is not justified to retain a full time position such as a bar porter. This is exemplified in the fact that Mr. Furbert revealed that only HP retained such positions while all other hotels have eliminated this role completely.
I bartended in numerous bars, night clubs and restaurants in town for nearly a decade. I was responsible for cutting my own fruit, restocking the bar at the end of my shift as well as getting my own ice in the majority of the establishments that I worked in. The only true need for a bar porter are in the busier establishments (i.e. night clubs). There is absolutely no need for a bar porter in a hotel bar where you will not get a rush of customers at any point of the day barring special events (i.e. parties, weddings etc.) And yes I also bartended in a hotel as well.
So your analogy of dumping work on someone else is not really accurate in this case as I know dozens of bartenders that have no issue with cutting their own fruit/garnishes, restocking their own bar and retrieving their own ice. Most take pride in their bar and take teh time to set it up as they see fit. If they don’t do these menial tasks then what do they do? Just show up and mix a drinkg and open a beer every once in awhile (as hotel bars are not busy 24 hours or even 5 days a week).
But again the Hotel should’ve advised the Union of their intentions given the knwoledge of how this particular Union stamps their feet when they don’t get their way.
Layoffs happen every year this time in Bermuda Bullying is correct wasthe permit was secured ahead of march if not lock up the organizers
I would like to see you and anyone who thinks like you come down and try to lock someone up.
you aint seen s**** yet.
making threats now are we? i feel like we are in a third world country! this really is dishearting..
Thanks for the post – You’ve just given a perfect example of how this situation got to where it is with an attitude like that.
I agree, but probably not gonna like my take on it…
One person assumes BIU broke a law and so says “If so lock em up”. Another person says I would like to see you try, you aint seen S*^% yet. Inna says ya making threats now….
Did not the statement (THREAT) about locking some one up for breaking an agreement trigger the second response?
I have a number of kids and I always face these kinds of arguments from them. IMO a good parent always FIRSTLY addresses the root cause of the dispute not just the outcomes. Goes something like … Daddy she hit me! And what did you do to make her hit you? Nuffin…I just called her a doo doo head! Well you should not have called her a namedoo doo head. Then I go and discipline my son for hitting and not coming and telling Dad.
You see the fairness in this…address the root cause and THEN the reaction to the cause. Everyone understands that! OBA publicly scold HP for enciting this reaction and then you have free reigns to address the BIU!
If you are breaking the law, if taken into custody, I would hope that you would not resort to violence. Police would just be doing their jobs..i.e. working for a fair days pay.
where to ah
Sounds like de same mentality they had in South Africa, I treat you bad and I dear you to defend yourself.
Have you been to a Bar in the USA. Every thing a Bartender needs is right in the same area. In most hotel in BDA every thing they need is on a different floor or in the very back. So how can you serve your customer. What happens when the hotel is full..
When the hotel knows they are going to be busy, then ensure that additional help is brought on to assist.
As hotels are very rarely busy (due to lack of tourists in general) there is no need for full time bar porters.
And the bartender should be in early enough to ensure that all is stocked and ready to go for his/her shift.
Simple solutions to simple problems.
So you’ve never been to Hamilton Prince Happy hour? Think about the additional work load on the bar tenders in the outside venue.
LOL
That is exactly why I said ensure that additional staff is made available during the busy times.
And since the Happy Hour only runs a few months out of the year and only one day out of these few months ensure that the staff is properly complemented with additional resources.
Again long ago I worked with fridges and the Prices’supplies for the bar are nowhere near the bar. Did you know that? Imagine you are the customer and you want a drink and the bar tender has to go away from the bar (money and liquor is unmanned) and you have to wait for your drink. Is that not an irritant and a potential source of complaint, use your common sense.
LOL
just saying we don’t know all the details and I’m not quick to bash my fellow Bermudians until I know the “all” facts let go Prices take them back go to arbertration if you did everything correctly then what’s the problem.
How do all the other Hotels get on, given the fact that they have all eliminated the bar porter position as per Mr. Furbert’s claim?
I didn’t bash any fellow Bermudians. Simply stated a fact that certain job positions do become redundant over time and in a slow bar porters are no longer necessary. It is not as if we are back in our tourism heyday where the bars are packed around the clock and that is especially true of hotels. There is a reason why more than 100 hotels and guest cottages have shut down over the past 30 years.
But either way that is my simple opinion from my own experience. If you want to take a differing opinion as bashing Bermudians, then so be it as it won;t change my opinion one bit.
wasn’t really suggesting that “you” were but just read the comments about the union workers from those that don’t agree with them and see the insinuated insults. I just for once would like to see the issue resolved in a cordual manner so I tried not to claim that anyone was at fault not knowing all the details and wanted others to at least try to give the benefit of the doubt untill the arbertration concluded with all the facts.
LOL
That’s interesting.
So, you’re suggesting that they’re not protesting over the redundancies, but over the hotel not telling the union in a timely fashion that a couple of it’s members are going to have to do a little more work?
Nah, that can’t be right.
Whilst the hotels actions were at the very least, ill advised.
The end result is that Zurich and Cayman are now salivating at the potential fallout.
Lets nip this in the bud shall we. There is a lot at stake.
i bartend at a local establishment..and 5 nights out of the week we dont bring in a porter and i do it myself including setting up the dining area…i dont complain.
the upbOBA have brainwashed you. You should down your tools and stand for your brothers!
brainwashed him into what??
Having a good work ethic?
Though I doubt political parties have anything to do with that.
can’t tell if serious or sarcasm…
Sarcasm matey
Betty Trump (L. Furbert) – I think that its you who have been brainwashed, brainwashed into believing that somehow you are entitled to a job/work and that every change to your working conditions is an infringement of the collective bargaining agreement! If we lived in the USSR in the 19th/20th century you may have some reasonable expectations of guarantees of work – but its the 21st century and you choose to work in the capitalist economy in Bermuda. The sense of entitlement and the poor work ethic that often comes with it is the direct cause of the poor state of employee/employment relationships (being exhibited once again in this case) on this Island today! As an ex-union shop steward working in a services company in the UK for many years, I can tell you point blank that I have never seen such Tom Foolery before in my life from any union like the Unions on this Island – specifically the BIU. The biggest favour BIU members can do for themselves is to call for Chris Furbert and his executive team to resign! He is doing you a massive disservice You pay him to represent you according to the terms of his contract and the by laws of the Union, I am pretty certain he is not doing so. He should be held accountable to you the membership, to genuinely represent your concerns. The second favour you can do for yourselves is to take a long hard look around you at the unemployment numbers on the Island – that should quickly show you what a privileged position those of us who are employed are in. That does not mean that you should give up basic employee rights but it does mean that you need to take stock of the current situation and educate yourself as to the details of any collective bargaining agreement under which you fall. I am pretty sure there is no clause in there that says that Union members have the right to strike/walk out without giving notice, especially those Union members who do not fall under the collective bargaining agreement in question.
I wasn’t being serious… You wrote that essay for nothing =/
Its obvious you weren’t the real Betty Trump and were intentionally baiting posters in posting what you did but what I said needed said – hence the 12 likes! So thanks for setting the stage Dingle Berry………. I mean betty trump l furbert [not real]!
Hahaha brainwashed huh? That’s rich coming from you Betty
Hahahaha brainwashed huh? That’s rich coming from you Betty
my brothers want to WORK
Some unions are good, this BIU sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed. The BIU would strike for someone that got fired for a GOOD Reason! A business can’t run with negligent and incompetent employees.
This action cannot make a redundant job exist again. Regardless of whatever the Union thinks the hotel didnt do – the jobs are redundant. Those made redundant were paid accordingly and that’s it. Now as to the bartenders – I believe there is more to the job than mixing the concoction. Anyone who has worked bar knows this. If the Union has tied the hands of the bartender so they can’t cut their own garnishes, and stock their own bar then shame on the Union. Have you seen how complicated the CBA is? I’m surprised workers are allowed to dress themselves in the morning!
None of the bar porters were paid redundancy pay and nothing was signed. Get your facts straight.
perhaps it would beneficial to the public to have access to a PDF of the collective agreement (or if this is already somewhere can someone link). Then we would be able to familiarize ourselves with the document and be better educated in our responses….
does someone have a reference for this document?
Sorry, i was too lazy to use google myself lol
pdf link
I hope it is ok with Bernews policies to link a document in this way?
Not sure if a similar CBA covers the hospitality industry but suspect the redundancy clauses (see article 20) are probably similar.
If so, where is the requirement to consult the union? The language clearly states “the Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks’ notice, or pay in lieu of notice”. In full:
“Where the Employer permanently terminates the services of any Employee as a result of mechanisation, other work methods, reorganisation, amalgamation or contraction of its services or privatisation, the Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks’ notice, or pay in lieu of notice, and to redundancy pay in accordance with the following schedule:
Less than six (6) months’ service – Nil
Six (6) months’ – one (1) year’s service – One (1) week
Over one (1) year’s service – Three (3) weeks per year”
Unless there is another clause requiring some form of notice the BIU appear to be making false statements and erroneous assertions.
Hopefully they aren’t trying to hold the country hostage as an attempt to flex their muscles and intimidate the electorate.
If so, their selfish plans will surely backfire.
Article 19 of the agreement seems to deal with Redundancies:
{ ARTICLE 19 Redundancy and Layoffs
Where layoffs are necessitated, the Employer will give six (6) weeks’ notice or six (6) weeks’ pay in lieu of notice to the Employee involved. It is agreed that in the event of such layoffs, seniority of service will be the determining factor. It is also agreed that within this period time off with pay to seek another job will be given in accordance with Article 11 1(e) – Personal Leave. The provisions of Article 18 shall prevail.
The Employer shall guarantee the Employee re-employment from layoff, without loss of seniority, within a period of thirty (30) days, failing which benefits under Article 20 shall apply.
In the event that adverse conditions or developments in its operations are considered by the Employer to warrant an unusual reduction in the labour force, the Employer will consult with Union representatives so that positive steps may be taken by all parties concerned to avert or minimise as far as possible reductions of the work force by the adoption of appropriate measures, without prejudice to the efficient and economic operation of the undertaking. }
This is why they have issues with documents such as these, the language seems to be written to provide opportunities for ambiguity and interpretation. Some may point to the position that the union should be consulted as per that statement in the latter part of the above text, however, others could indicate that the reduction was not unusual in the contact of a hotel in winter months and as such the hotel was required to simply follow the steps as outlined in the beginning of the statement….
Again, there may be a separate hotel union agreement? Also the is the employment act and in my experience having been in government prior, both the union and the employer like to cherry pick pieces from both documents to push their case…not a very effective process imo.
Article 19′s header is Redundancy and Layoffs but I see no reference to redundancy in the text, its all to do with layoffs and ‘unusual reduction in the workforce’ – is ten an unusual number? These staff were made redundant. In my job, which is non-unionised, when someone is made redundant, they are called in, told they’ve been made redundant and then marched to their desk where they clear it out and marched out of the building. No notice at all. Its extremely humiliating but the rest of the staff don’t walk out, they pick up the remainder of the job that’s left….. without extra pay. This is the real world I’m afraid. The days of sticking to a list of what you can and can’t do in a job description are long gone because any HR person worth their salt always adds in the clause – “and anything else required by the Company as and when requested”. I believe I read somewhere that the Princess Hotels are the only hotels that still employ Bar Porters as its a job that is disappearing with the times – less people to serve equals more time for the Bartender to tend his bar!
You need to look at the next part entitled Redundancy:
ARTICLE 20
Redundancy Pay
1. Where the Employer permanently terminates the services of any Employee as a
result of mechanisation, other work methods, reorganisation, amalgamation or
contraction of its services or privatisation, the Employee shall be entitled to four
(4) weeks’ notice, or pay in lieu of notice, and to redundancy pay in accordance
with the following schedule:
Less than six (6) months’ service – Nil
Six (6) months’ – one (1) year’s service – One (1) week
Over one (1) year’s service – Three (3) weeks per year
2. Redundancy pay shall be calculated on the maximum basic weekly wage paid to
the Employee in the last three (3) months of service.
From what I can see there, redundancy can be done byeither giving notice pay in lieu of notice… the second option which we already know they did. So again, how did they break the CBA????
Full of crap.
These people should be fired and fined according to an illegal strike now March……
Bet the Greens are sorry they invested in Bermuda….
Bet potential investors are glad this happened before they starting spending their money here.
Bermudians are our own worst enemies.
Another nail in our coffin.
These idiots are telling the world do not invest in Bermuda.
We more third world,than the third world.
Thanks for nothing!
If it happened to you, you would want someone to fight for you. People are fed up, pissed off… I SAY GOOD FOR THEM…WE DON’T GET FED UP AND PISSED OFF ENOUGH AROUND THIS ISLAND… RATHER LAY DOWN AND GET TRAMPLED ON… NO!! IT’S TIME GET UP AND FIGHT !!
Fight what? Excessive use of CAPS? If I was made redundant I would not want people fighting for me or marching, or tarnishing tourists vacations. I wouldnt. What is this lay down and trampled on? None of that is going on but you are pretending that it is. Get up and fight? You need to lay down and talk to someone.
Where were you with this attitude for the last 14 years “lay over Rover”!
Typical victim mentality. Bermuda needs to go into the ditch before this ignorant lot get it. No jobs, no cars, no jet skis, no three trips a year to king of Prussia/Manhattan Mall, Disneyland etc, no Gucci bags weave or nails done!!!
In a time when we are dire need of foreign investment these fools want to shut the island down over jobs the employer has decided to do away with. No mention of the millions of dollars they have invested or the jobs they have created with new and future developments.
There is a level of ignorance and stupidity in this country that cannot be matched. SMH
Nope, I would not.
The last thing I’d want is someone who doesn’t have a clue what’s going on arguing my case for me.
When I’ve been wronged by an employer I’ve dealt with it myself, or moved on if I thought said employer was completely hopeless.
I’m never going to understand how Union members can continue to work in places where they’ve protested illegally against normal business practice. Have they no self respect or dignity?
In this day and age striking should not be the first (or nearly the first) response.
its not the first response, have you been following the situation??
Yes – arbritration has been established….so this is just ridiculous and unecessarily harmful at this stage.
I don’t have an issue with BIU-affiliated Hamilton Princess employees going on strike (though they can’t claim the moral highground when they’ve breached the CBA themselves), but what possible reason can there be to penalize other employers that have nothing to do with the dispute? Get a grip, FFS. Fabulous way to cut off your nose to spite your face. *slow clap*
Anyone investing their money here must be on crack.
In the Greens case though I am sure they get rent from Fairmont whether the hotel is on strike or not.
It is Fairmont and Bermuda that loses here.
Yes Bermuda need’s people to invest, that doesnt mean that people’s rights should be abolished in the pursuit of investment.. Why can’t we have a situation where investment exists in the presence of fair and just labor conditions. I don’t think anybody wants to see Bermuda end up in a worse position that it is, and to allege otherwise shows how out of touch some are with the average Bermudian.
I cant for the life of me figure out what is not to “like” about this comment. Surely all people should be in support of fair and equitable labour practises. Are there realy people out ther that believe that some workers should be excluded from the conitions of the Employment Act, as if they are somehow less deserving because they didn’t have the opportunity(for whatever reason) to gain a University degree? Are Bermudians so spoiled that they cannot see that they benifit daily from the hard work and sacrifice endured by others. The message here is “Don’t take us for granted and we won’t take you for granted.”
What employees are excluded from the Employment Act?
Anyone that is employed is protected by the Emplyment Act.
What this island needs right now is a strong leader,, its so obvious,, what is “Premier Puppetaire” going to do?? oh no..
He’s gonna do what he is paid to do, and that’s to be a yes man. He has no balls or respect for his ancestors and fellow Bermudians. I am ashamed to know that the premier hasn’t come forward and put a stop to the whose got the biggest **** and who has who’s back, that’s all this is about. when we as a people decide to be our brothers keeper we will all be better off. until then rise my brothers and sisters and be each others keepers, cause it looks like we are going to need it. I hope those that are just for self find out that’s not the answer. and remember THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED. Get ready my people.
THIS IS INSANE!!!!!! THIS KIND OF ACTION FROM THE UNION WILL DEFENITLY PUT THIS COUNTRY DOWN!!!!….WE CANNNOT STOP WORKING EVERYSINGLE TIME THAT THE PRESINDENT SAID SO!!!…..
IS RIDICULUS, IN OTHER COUNTRY YOU ARE FIRE INMIDIATLY!
The President doesn’t make the decision, the President comes to his decisions based on the General Counsel which is a collective body that represents the union as a whole.. Its not like Chris Furbert says lets have a island wide strike and then it happens. His actions are guided by the members who he represents.. Stop making this appear like this is some dictatorship.. learn how the Union works before you talk nonsense.
OHH REALLY??…..SO IF THE UNION SAYS STOP, SO WE SHOULD STOP REPAIRING THE ROADS, REPAIRING ANYTHING THAT MAKE THE CITIZEN GET BETTER, STOPING DOING OUR JOBS THAT MAKE OTHER PEOPLE MOVE IN THE ISLAND!…..THE PRESIDENT SHOULD KNOW BETTER HOW TO HANDLE THIS SITUATIONS!!!….AND HE DOES NOT, HE LOVES STRIKE!!…
BY THE WAY I AM A DOCTOR, SO A SHOULD STOP TREATING YOUR SICKNESS BECAUSE THE UNION SAID SO! OR NMAYBE BETTER, YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE, BUT WE NEED TO STOP TO HELPING YOU CAUSE THE UNION SAID SO!
DO BE FOOL!
DONT BE FOOL!
Reminds one of the ineptitude that exists in the U.S. Republican Congress…Conservatives >> no worry what’s good for the country…. STRIKE. Pull down the country. Act for your own pitiful sake.
Oh great, the ferry service, which has nothing to do with hotels, has been suspended for ‘a meeting’.
Is this not how the strike which killed Bermuda tourism in 1981 started? The KEMH division had a dispute going with the BIU so it escalated to having a general strike, shutting down hotels, & cowardly taxi drivers making tourists walk across Longbird Bridge in the blistering summer sun.
The day tourism died. Good thing we had IB to fall back on then. Not so much now.
Is this not how the strike which killed Bermuda tourism in 1981 started?
It’s quite apparent by this comment that you choose to see what you wish to see. Dig in a bit more, try to understand a bit more and you would know more.
yep. see sorry above.
Wow, talk about blowing matters out of all proportion. Any excuse for the rest of the BIU membership to have some time off and screw everyone else around.
Someone has already said this, but if I was working in the Princess today, I would be working my butt off to get noticed by my employers as someone who is willing to go the extra mile. These BIU members, whilst they may think they’re doing the right thing, are actually waving a huge red flag over their heads and shouting to their employers saying “hey, look at me, I don’t want to work hard”.
I don’t think it is a matter of blowing matters out of proportion. We are quick to blame and shame the Union or any Union that is standing up for people’s rights.
For one, things shouldn’t have been allowed to come this far. Here are the events and facts to sum things up.
1. The hotel broke the ‘Collective Bargaining Agreement’ with the BIU. The hotel was not correctly following the CBA when it came to making these jobs redundant. FACT!!
2. In discussions between the hotel and the BIU, there were talks about taking this issue through the arbitration process. Which means those five BIU workers would have to be rehired until the outcome of the arbitration was complete. The hotel said they don’t want to go to arbitration. Which means they do not want to work this out. FACT!!
The hotel has basically said, disregard the CBA and disregard any legal process of arbitration, you Bermudians have no rights and no voice in the matter. We are a big business (like those on Wall Street) and we provide jobs so take whatever we dish out. I am astonished that so many Bermudians support this position.
I do believe that a strike should ALWAYS be a last option and I do see this strike as the last option the BIU and their members have after the hotel said no to arbitration. Please explain what other options does the BIU and their members have for standing up against big business who believe that they can do whatever they like and not be held accountable for their actions.
I support people for having the testicular fortitude for standing up for what they believe is an injustice. In America in 2012 I recall in Chicago, in the third largest school district in America, Union teachers went on a seven-day strike, over pay and a new contract. Most people supported that strike. In Bermuda, as long as any Union strikes no matter what the cause, you will never have a majority of people actually supporting the rights of working people.
It is time to call out injustices, to matter what the institution. We are in dangerous times, when we have collectively accepted injustices.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
They should take action against the hotel, not the entire island. Boycott it, block the entrances, form a picket line. The absolute last thing you do is to disrupt the entire island. We all, you, me, our brothers and sisters, have to pay each and every one of those BIU (and others) members who have not been working today. How the hell is that fair??
It is on record that the hotel is not cooperating with the BIU. I do believe it is illegal to protest on private property such as the hotel. If it is legal, it doesn’t have the same impact has temporarily shutting down services.
I do agree with you that ‘the absolute last thing you do is to disrupt the entire island.’ In this case this is the absolute last thing. I hate it, but sometimes you have to make a strong statement.
Also members of the BIU and Mr. Furbet said that striking members will not be paid. So people are risking a payday to stand up against what they believe to be an injustice.
As I mentioned above that Chicago teachers protested over seven days. Over 300,000 students impacted, how is that fair to the students. It is NEVER fair to those impacted. But it doesn’t have to be fair to understand the position that these people have been put int.
Having read the portion of the CBA realting to this the only thing that is clear is that the actions of the hotel may or may not have broken the terms of the CBA – the wording is terribly muddy.
Arbitration has been ordered…why has the union decided to strike? Ridiculous.
In was reported that early this morning the hotel WILL NOT go into arbitration, thus the reason for the strike.
Muddy? If the hospitality CBA is similar to the one with Government the redundancy clauses (see article 20) are probably comparable in which case how is this muddy?
“the Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks’ notice, OR PAY IN LIEU OF NOTICE” (my emphasis).
It goes on to say the following which isn’t relevant as the redundant employees are receiving the maximum four weeks pay.
“and to redundancy pay in accordance with the following schedule:
Less than six (6) months’ service – Nil
Six (6) months’ – one (1) year’s service – One (1) week
Over one (1) year’s service – Three (3) weeks per year”
Bermuda does not need the BIU to destroy tourism on the Island. The hotel staff do it all by themselves.
Here is a direct quote from Trip Advisor posted only last week: “Perhaps my expectations were too high, but it seemed the employees felt as if they were doing you a favor by allowing you to stay in their hotel.”
How proud does that make you feel to be Bermudian?
Go ahead BIU, strike yourselves right out of a job like the people of Sonesta, Pink Beach, Lantana & the rest of them did. How are you all doing these days anyhow. Still got a tourism job? Have any job at all?
That quote IS refering to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess BTW. Sorry. Omitted that.
yo why dont you shut the **** up
Come down and start a protest against us.
—-
Simmer down tough guy!
Such language. What would starting a protest do? We have already seen that reason does not play a part in your decisions. Neither does common sense or popular opinion.
Please, pray tell, what would protesting against you accomplish. It would be a waste of time and energy.
@Triangle Drifter: you do realise that there are other nationalities working in our hotels, so why would you ASSume it was a bermudian they were referring to.
People like you are dangerous! How about you copy and paste the numerous stellar comments employees and the hotel receive? Do you really think people are that stupid to believe YOUR post? I’m on trip advisor like many other Bermudians are, and the comments aren’t all perfect, but the lionshare are excellent reviews.
Couldn’t agree with you more!
“……..Vee shell nat, Vee shell nat be mooowed…”
Says it all really.
Do you have a problem with the Bermudian accent? Is that what it is?
ECONOMIC SUICIDE
The change in worker demographics in our hotels came about when Bermudians began to consider the Hospitality Industry as a place were you had to be subservient versus providing service. I remember when the make up of guest workers in the food and beverage areas were primarily European. At that time those Bermudians who chose to enter the industry were welcomed and indoctrinated by those guest worker professional waiters who took pride in their craft and went to great lengths to teach those who were willing to learn. Over time the demographics changed and Bermudians dominated in the food and beverage area. Tourists were flowing to the island; lots of money was to be had by employee and employer alike. Then came the demands for more and more from the employer by the BIU. Strikes followed. The industry began to suffer.
The UBP government of the day saw the impending ruination of our economy and sought out International Business. Bermudians began to go abroad in greater numbers to earn college degrees and flocked to this industry. Hotels began to close. Those that remained found it difficult to hire suitable Bermudians. The mindset of not my job was born. A new group of guest workers began to occupy the hospitality jobs. There was no issue at the outset as there was virtually no such thing as unemployment in Bermuda.
Fast forward to the present. High unemployment. Bermudians consider guest workers a problem. Suddenly jobs that Bermudians had no interest in performing we have people shouting about how Bermudans are unemployed and guest workers are making a living. There are two sides to every coin. Bermudians just want the side of the coin that best suits them on the day.
The long and short of things are that Bermuda is in a bad way right now and everyone needs to work together to turn things around.
STOP BLAMING. START WORKING TOWARDS A SOLUTION
fyi–The P.L.P. innitiated exempt company business in their first platform in 1963, the UBP/OBA are still lacking ideas because they have never been able to think outside of their own benefit..the indigenous Bermudian has never been a part of the equation when it comes to the indo-european mindset..That is the problem, always was always will be until White Supremecy is forever DEAD! For a group of people never to realize the error of their ways and to never admit to the mistake of ill-treating another group of people is a very sad indictment and it seems like total destruction of the system is the only solution, as the indo-european continues to be disagreeable and unfair, as well as incapable of thinking of anyone outside of himself and peers.. so sad the song of what might have been…
What’s an indigenous Bermudian?
Cahows and lizards?
all you white ppl that make fake names put ya real 1′s
As soon as you produce a passport that shows your name as “Truth”… hypocrite.
Right… Because, of course, only white people use pseudonyms.
Probably does not own a passport!!on the stop list..
Amazing…
You probably don’t even see the hypocrisy!
You’re out walking instead of at work? You’re fired. Simple. Don’t go to work…you no longer need to come in. BIU bullying is always bad news.
YUP!!! the strikes back in middle 1980′s destroyed our tourist market and we will never get it back… AGAIN today in 2014 the tourist are still suffering.
Nonsense. At some point all of us will accept what those close to the situation knows to be fact. The strike had nothing to do with the decline in our tourism industry.
Yep, keep drinking the Koolaid.. What else have you got? Something on Roswell? How to make your very own anti mind control foil hat?
Here a solution. …..FIRE THEM ALL!!!!!!!
Perhaps it’s time for privately-owned companies to stop hiring union members…or for ANYONE to hire union members.
The hotel workers have an issue. Why the hell do they need a general meeting? I thought this was sent to arbitration… The worker do not have to be at work… If they win, they will have got a free vacation as the arbitrator will make the hotel pay them for the missed time.
If you are not directly invovled… Go back to work.
This ia pure ridiculousness! Only in Bermuda would you get away with this type of thing! Union or not I’d be the only person still working picking up all those other people’s slack. I’m trying to get paid! Don’t look like anyone walking in that video really care about their job or the company they work for. 10 people made redundant big deal! They can find other jobs. Get your tails back to work and support the people who depend on you so they can get their job done! Bermudians will look for any way out of work. Bermuda is another world and the people in the union are in another planet! Get real folks! There are people who would do your job better and for less just to have a job and all these fools out of work marching for what?
Your last sentence says it all, and should be reposted on here 1000 times! I say let the lot of them go, and tell anyone who wants a job to show up at the office tomorrow morning ready to sign a new contract!
I think the hotel was wrong not to follow due process regardless of the issue..at the end of the day a bar porter is a bar porter and a job is a means of income…my only concern is that I hope BIU members have not walked out of essential servies.ie: the hospitals where patient care is likely to be affected….food being prepared and brought to patients for example. I really hope the Greens come to the wicket. No matter how much money you have it does not make you a true Bermudian who cares for their fellow Bermudian in the economic climate you see today..am sure the pay of bar porters is chump change for them
So they’re all on strike.
It’s February. Let them strike all they want. See what they get from the BIU after paying in all these years.
While I can appreciate all that the unions have done in the past, its 2014 and im not going to lose my job or put my earnings in jeopardy because Furby decides to exercise his bottom lip.
I’d be interested in knowing if this has anything to do with the lack of garbage collectioin in Pembroke YESTERDAY.
Fire the lot of them.
lack of garbage collection as far east as devonshire!
Hamilton Parish too!
The original intent of any Labor Union was to give the working man a voice at the table where grievances could be solved in a reasonable; orderly and satisfactory manner.
I don’t appreciate it when the union boss threatens to take Bermuda back to the stone age.
May I remind every one involved that there is a proper way of conducting business.
60 years ago Industrial Unions brought the U.K. a great industrial nation to her knees from which she has never fully recovered.
JAPAN STEPPED IN OVER NIGHT AND TOOK THE LOT.
May be the Union Boss in his very unique position could find with very little effort better more interesting and higher paying jobs for those people.
Most Bermudians are very resourceful and diversely talented.
Come on, Mr. Furbert “just cool it”, don’t gamble with our children’s future, show us what you can do.
MR UNION BOSS OPEN THAT DOOR.
Why is everyone upset that the other union members not involved in this issue have chosen to walk off their jobs. It’s the only way the union wins. I say take back the 10 and cut the wages of the rest of the staff and give it to the 10. Problem solved. Everyone has a job, everyone is pulling in a cheque.
peacefull marches mean nothing
Theres a guy in a pink shirt in the picture “People leaving the meeting just before 1.30pm” who definitely isn’t BIU, and definitely is BPSU.
So is the civil service out as well?
A BUNCH OF BACK OF TOWNERS!!!! Yall are going to let them RUIN this country. SAD!! They dont know any better. Poor sites!
Since Bernews was founded and remains run directly from the “back of town,” — proudly so — I thought I would break protocol and respond to your comment to point out there are many good, hard working people in the “back of town”.
Patricia
Exactly Bernews and thanks much for your services.
What a dopey comment.
^ Boom! Tell em Bernews. Breaking protocol and Breaking balls! #backoftown
I think Mike must be a a pretend post, as nobody can be that misguided.
WOW! Could you BE more offensive?
Are you serious with this?
Why “yall”? What are you doing about it?
Hold on!? Did I just ‘like’ a Mike Hind comment? Let me check my temperature! lol
You’d be surprised at how many things we actually agree on, I think.
I command you on standing up to that Mr. Mike Hind.. I am pleasantly amazed..
back of towners?
the racisim is thick here,
Go back in your cave Mike.. And take the rest of yours with you. Pathetic piece of cow dung.
mike you are an idiot, how bout you step back here in the gully and voice that comment. are you scared you better be cause how your talking is what breeds hate not unity. So you would rather i go hungry so you don’t be inconvenienced. hahaha you must own the last plantation and don’t want your slaves to be free. ringggggg!!!! the alarm has rung wake up its not the 1800′s people matter.
lisen to all the heartless people saying fire them, who do you think those people are?
wake up brothers and sisters
I guess we r all white paul.
The BIU is gone on “strike” because the FHP didnt give proper notice about redundancies which is in the CBA? If this is the case the BIU has to give the general public notice about a general “strike” right? If so this action by the BIU is illegal. So the OBA has a job to do so too the FHP! Its called FIRE and HIRE and there are 3000 of us!
No one was on strike they were called to a meeting to decide if they should go on strike. Hence why the buses and ferries were running this afternoon, and they gave fair warning that tomorrow there will be no service. So that means call a neighbor, friend, family member,co-worker or get a group and catch a cab. suck it up and support your brothers and sisters.
It would appear the Hotel could have handled this in a better manner. However, once again the BIU and Mr. Furbert simply do not get it. So, no ferries this afternoon, shut the buses down…oh, let’s close the docks while we are at it. The BIU’s time of usefulness has passed. Let them start a company and run it. I am totally fed up with their nonsense.
Chris Furbert said “what services to provide this afternoon”.
There you have it.
Now who the hell is in control of this island.
Government?
Chris Fubert?
The BIU?
You asked for Bermuda….you got.
Shalom.
Bernews can you confirm if busses will be running for the kids this afternoon? Parents are trying to plan in the event that they are not…. any help you can give would be appreciated!
Sorry, we are trying to but it’s kind of hard as this is a developing situation!
There is a 3.15pm press conference where we will get some more info, and in the meantime if you up to the live blog box, scroll down and listen to the audio of Mr. Furbert he references the school kids getting home. Was nothing solid, but he said he will is hoping he can encourage the membership to take the school children home this afternoon.
Once we get something confirmed we will post it ASAP.
Thanks Bernews!!!
And we have confirmation now, posted above, that the buses WILL run this afternoon to take the school children home.
What about taking Tourists to their destinations?? Very sad day. We are struggling to keep Tourism alive and this happens.
Perhaps the best way to have dealt with this initially was to fire the employees outright rather than make them redundant. By all accounts they struggled to do their jobs properly and now the island has to be held to ransom by a bunch of clowns.
Keep on striking BIU and soon enough none of you will have any jobs to go back to.
Unions march all over the world. You people need to stop hating on Bermuda. If it’s so bad why don’t you just leave or stop reading the news or get a life. If it were not for the BIU Bermuda would be worst off then it is today as employers would take full advantage of their employees. BIU must stand for their members or fall for anything.
Yes, unions all over the world march against injustive. If this was what the BIU did they would have a great deal of support.
However, the BIU has lost a great deal of credibility over the years with their arrogance, bullying and tantrum tactics, while they completely disregard the parts of the agreement which they are supposed to fulfil.
Yes, historically speaking, the BIU did a great deal for Bermuda and Bermudians, however, they were completely unable to keep up with the changes that they were a large part in creating.
It seems clear the day of the robot is being looked at and needed. Self service bars, like in Mexico, and internal unions. Then what BIU ?? Tired of the same ol, same ol, from BIU`S inabitity to do something different and make it work. No vision, no nothing, so keep throwing money at the biu people. I`m sure the biu and Chris thanks you !!!
fascinating divide among Bermudians. We all on both sides would do well to approach issues with logic and empathy.
While i don’t agree with the BIU always im troubled by the dismissive nature from many of those that post. in opposition.
personal Ego soaked agendas and cold Narcissism being passed of as patriotism and concern for the economy. so transparent and phony
The ” I know you have nothing but thats none of my concern just don’t ruin it for those of us who have” is a interesting narrative i keep hearing from many Bermudians.
” People crushed by laws, have no hope but to evade power. If the laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to the law ”
The United Sates Government shut down for 16 days . I think we can all be big boys and girls and allow for a Labour dispute to play itself out.
Lets not panic and cry the sky is falling the first time a public disagreement between labour and a corporation.
My pick for best post today!
I have been unemployed for the last year only picking work up now and again. I have applied for numerous jobs and have been short listed for all. My Reponses have been l quote thank you for your interest it was down to you and another person we are going with a Bermudian at this time. I am a spouse of a Bermudian same rights supposedly l have been in Bermuda 14yrs. Its been a tuff year with my husband being the Sole provider for his family. This makes me sad as so many people are unemployed right now. Wake up before everyone loses their island.
I really don’t think that shutting down Bermuda is the proper way of handling this issue, BIU. It’s a bit over the top don’t you think?
I hope we see a statement soon from the owners saying it’s too much trouble to try and save Bermuda and that they’ve decided to pull out and cancel all future projects on this ungrateful island – thanks to BIU.
this illusion that Business people will run and take their ball home if we dont play nice is Hilarious.
Corporations literally will do business in countries embroiled in war and marshal law if their is profit at the end of it.
This is a minor annoyance to them. You dont get in a position to buy a 100 million dollar hotel and invest 50 if things like strikes stop you from gaining profits.
Step with the BERMUDA ego that they care if we like them.
its all about Profitability … the second they cant save or make money in Bermuda they are gone .
And Im fine with that.
Dozens of hotels already closed in the last 15 years, and more could easily close, made all the more likely by this.
But you’re fine with that. Good for you.
Right? Absolutely no sense. Doesn’t even realise that when a company closes, you know, people actually lose jobs.
again my point is that Hotels close and companies leave Bermuda because of razor thin profit margins not labour disputes.
instead of approaching the suffering of those that lost jobs with empty sympathy … try approaching it with rational thought and a understanding of the larger economic forces at work.
no Im fine with the idea that their presence in Bermuda is predicated on profitability not how friendly we are to the.
I think you misread my point.
This is not an illusion MA$E this has been the reality for the past 15 years or so………………. look at the empty office buildings and hotels because our Government of the day didn’t play nice imposing term limits etc. The problem is these remaining investors aren’t making money either, so they will continue to leave if the island doesn’t start to turn itself around and make for an environment conducive to new investment be that tourism, IB or marijuana farming!
Closing the island down illegally is not going to give investors the warm and fuzzy feeling they need to put their hands in their pockets. Now, if you’re fine with that, that’s your perogative. Go sit on your wall because that’s all we’ll be doing soon. I myself am not fine with that. I’d like my children to grow up in a country without poverty, without violent crime and I would like to have enough money to treat them to a vacation once a year.
International Business and investors arent interested in any sob stories.
I cannot say this enough … the local and personal politics of Bermudians plays no role in the decision making of multi million dollar companies and any assertion that is does is simple local dogma. a uninformed persons attempt at explaining larger economics forces.
Im not arguing that a working relationship with foreign job creators and investors is needed.
What I am saying is that we need to focus less on the interpersonal and more on profits.
You want jobs back … create the Need for them.
Private citizens and the Government trying to simple be more friendly as a way to create demand in the marketplace is hardly a good economic strategy.
There is an excellent book that I highly recommend, ‘The Confessions of an economic hitman’,
good luck with that. If you let them do away with the bottom rungs of the ladder even those at the top will fall once you move up the ladder and take out the middle next. but if you get your 1 vacation then its OK.
And why is this “a message to the Govt”? This has more to do with the hotel than the Govt.
Chris Furbert, I’m sorry mate, but you really don’t have the right judgement or even interpretation when it comes to things. Wow.
I acctually agree with the action. From my understanding the hotel did not follow the CBA. Since the Government sent this to abitration the standard protocal should be followed. Everything should go back to normal operations and then talks should begin.
LOL I think there is more to this story here.
C
Everyone is upset because now parents, Bermudians included, have to scramble to get their kids home safely. The people that leave their vehicles home, Bermudians included, and use public transportation now have to scramble to get themselves home as well and all of the people, Bermudians included, who rely solely on public transportation are S.O.L.
The whole Island, Bermudians included, is now inconvenienced drastically for what? Ridiculous is what it is.
It was announced earlier that public transport has resumed.
If the hotel got it wrong, they should say so, go back to the Union and start again.
However, I cannot help but think that this is a complete over-reaction.
Can we apply some Spellcheck to these comments as they are some very valid points but some are very hard to read if you have to decipher every other word. I can’t stand when people are trying to make valid points and sound for the most part “intelligent” and passionate about what they’re talking about but everything is in broken or misspelled English! SORT IT OUT
hard to spell when using a phone to post sometimes but you get the idea of things. don’t be petty just read as best you can
ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE- TOO MUCH OF THIS OBA GOVT-
The Minister referred this to arbitration yes, but this has nothing really to do with the Govt. It’s a matter between the hotel and the BIU.
It’s so easy to blame the Govt now. Your anger is misdirected.
Show time! we will see who has the biggest balls,on this one!
Bermuda is certainly not the only country in the world were employee’s go on strike….London is currently experiencing a strike on its Underground Network!! If the Union doesn’t protect workers rights than who will?
In London the union acted in accordance with procedures, even maintaining a level of service. Did the BIU act in accordance with all its procedures when it called an immediate island-wide strike?
Let me get this straight, the CBA calls for redundant positions to be either given four weeks notice or pay in lieu of that notice… so what part of this agreement did HP/South P break?? I still don’t understand how everyone can run around saying “the CBA was broken” like the sky is falling yet most of those people must have no clue on the whys or hows.
Simple … because that’s what they’ve been told to think and the BIU leadership are excellent at bullying their views upon the electorate and their own members.
Anybody else loving the irony that Liberty is currently showing The Wolf of Wall Street…
Boycott my transport, boycott that theatre.
Don’t do it buddy, you have the most to lose in boycotting…learn your history
A country in which there is an island-wide strike over a few workers made redundant, is too clueless to survive. I am truly embarrassed for Bermuda.
what ‘islandwide’ strike are you referring too? MINDY?
Ok – it’s the services that conveniently inconvenience the most locals and non-locals in one go. Best way to make a statement is to throw the biggest wrench you have into the works.
Why don’t you stop marching – and read the news!
I have massive isssues with the BIU, however I find it rich that many on these blogs act as if work stoppages are restricted to Bermuda . Travel to Montreal or many US cities ( fast food recently ) or Rome or Greece or, or, or and experience disruption to services as a result of Unions.
Note to file – hate unions if you will, however you wouldnt have 3/4 of the benfeits that white collar folk currently enjoy if not for unions.. Fact!!
And while we are at it – please give me a break with the 10 a day PLP corruption stories – any American , Brit or European that believes that their countries are not swimming in corruption are simply stupid…
shhhh. dont speak to loud, they might hear and you and actually engage their minds to thing objectively,, now we don’t want that to happen do we??
think* objectively
Pure politics. Furbert trying to de-stabilize OBA Govt. any ANY COST!!
Any excuse not to work…wish I were in a union
While I agree that the hotel should have followed protocol, especially given how the slightest sneeze is causing a strike on a dime (instead of the agreed upon 21-day notice period), bringing non-hotel workers into this and shutting down many services on this island does nothing except cutting off the nose to spite the face. It serves no purpose whatsoever. You are only hurting your fellow Bermudians who now have to leave work early and loose out on wages for time not worked. Striking helps no one.
Not only the above, let’s say some of the people striking need jobs later. Their potential employers see them striking. They say, “Hmm, I’m not interested in hiring someone who strikes without a moment’s notice instead of discussing an issue. Not only that, clearly they don’t value their jobs nor are willing to go the extra mile/fill in on tasks outside their job descriptions if needed. Not a good employee.” Now they can’t get jobs. Think of the factors outside of this moment. Think of how this action today will affect the future. Then think of how you plan to stand on your principle. Last I checked, most principles don’t pay the bills nor provide employment.
This march, this parading around of ignorance is just that, ignorant.
What ever happened to just being grateful for the opportunity….?
So while all these ‘workers’ or ‘non workers’ should I say are out parading around, whos still working?
Lets take one guess, The Foreigners. Wanna get jobs Bermuda!? Wanna be paid more!? wanna be known for more than just lazy, disrespectful, ungrateful people!? Well, stop this nonsense and follow those hardworking foreigners, who make half of what you do, live in a $#%t hole, work almost or sometimes more than 70 hours a week, and start making something of yourselves!
I’m a Bermudian, born and raised. I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for awhile, and I could tell you myself, that if I were looking to hire someone that I knew would want holidays off, every weekend off and couldn’t even show up to work because its raining or because my auntys mammas fish died…. Well I wouldnt hire you!
I’d hire the one qualified and to be honest, seeing these people today, I couldnt rely on any of them to help my business bloom.
GET BACK TO WORK AND TAKE YOUR NONSENSE SOMEWHERE ELSE! OR FIRE THEM ALL!
Once again the people of Bermuda are affected by Chris and the people that pay his salary. Listen if we as citizens continue to let the Union and Chris run our country then nothing will EVER get better. In most countries if you get fired for something or you get made redundant, you just have to live with it, move on and try to find a new job. You don’t throw a hissy fit and ruin the lives of everyone around you and make it inconvenient for the people who still have jobs and need to get home or their kids who go to school and need to get home. And most importantly you DO NOT bite off the hand that feeds you…tourism. Without tourism this country would be a lot worse off than it is now. This insanity needs to stop and if you know of someone that marched today, you need to have some words with them and get them to realize that they are marching and protesting for a few people that got made redundant but it is affecting thousands of people by not doing their job for which they are paid. If I didn’t do my job I would expect to be fired or made redundant. That is just how it works. Unions are scary because they hold everyone else hostage because they feel wronged. Well guess what, we all feel wronged in some way or another yet we don’t follow the actions and advice of a man that is ruining the very country we live in. That is what these union people don’t see. If tourism stops then you really won;t have a job and is Chris going to find you a new one, is he going to pay your bills, is he going to feed your family?? My guess is no. Stop being an entitled person that thinks everything should be handed to you because it is your birth right as a Bermudian. Companies bring in expats because no one qualified enough applied for the job and if a Bermudian did apply but wasn’t qualified then that company has every right to hire someone who is qualified because that person took the time to educate themselves on the specific job being hired for and the company should not have to train someone on the job regardless of the fact that the person is Bermudian. Time is money and money pays the bills. This may come as a shocker to some of you but just like the Canada, UK, USA, European countries, etc the citizens of that country often lose jobs to expats and foreigners. In the UK, Canada, USA, etc some jobs are even outsourced to other countries like India, China, Thailand, etc. when there are people in their own country without a job and trying to make ends meet but these companies would rather pay less money to a foreign worker than to pay their own people. Bermuda is not alone with the hiring of expats so I wish some of you would just shut up about it. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. This country needs to get back on track and it isn’t the current Governments fault for any of this, the sole blame starts with the very people who decided to stop working today and march for something that had NOTHING to do with them. We all need to stick together and stop this madness because it is just CRAZY that this happens. Think about it…how often do you hear about unions in other civilized countries acting like this?? If you have heard of it then I would challenge you to post at least 5 valid articles showing this kind of behavior happening in other countries on the same scale as Bermuda. For myself and my family, we will not be supporting anything that has union workers until they can stop acting like children and grow up and act like an adult like the rest of us.
How do we make Chris Furbert redundant?
Thank you and well said!
BIU is an organization more that just a Union representing it’s workers. It’s an organization that have helped most of Bermudians struggle in job related matter from discrimate on, (pay and as a person) for decades. It represent the best there is , there was for more than 4000
So what happens in othef universe work force is not the same as Bermudianians, it’s not easy to understand this so many out there will be quick to judge
Iam not a union member BUT Bermuda vs Union vs workers vs all of us need a place in our human resources altitude to respect all as equal nothing more nothing less.
We are all aware of the situation at hand. I always think of the visitors and perspective vistors who read what is taking place in Bermuda. Do they want to come here if there is mess taking place in a hotel where they may stay, transportation isn’t functioning, and we want their money. When will this island improve on how things are done when this continually happens. Pulling everyone out isn’t the solution. Yes you want everyone to be united. But to go to the extreme today. No visitors in the hotel, these same people marching through the streets won’t have a job or layed off! I don’t get it. WE were blessed with the ability to debate, discuss, and meet over matters with those persons affected. This is not funny for all of the people who think they are getting management back for some reason. Ludicrous to the island as a whole! Hope all works out in fairness for everyone!
Could someone please tell them to pipe down a bit as they parade town. Some of us are trying to concentrate on our work
When are those pesky BIU elections anyway…
I don’t want to say “I don’t care”, but in all honesty I do not think that an action like this is necessary. Making things this public is unnecessary. Bermuda wants to go back to its so called glory days (wouldn’t know, wasn’t there)yet we put every detail of our island problems out in the open. As a tourist I would not want to be seeing all this chaos. Buses stop running, ferries stop running, the hotel I am staying in can longer give me service. As a local who rely on the public trans the only thing going through my mind is: “Crap. Again? Really?”. When I watched the news last night with my grandmother I asked why couldn’t they solve this like a business transact. Keep your paperwork tight. And between the companies that this regards. Stop dragging the whole damn island into. I worked in the hotel industry (only 6 months. I was great. They wanted to send me away. I’m an artist and needed a place to express myself blah blah blah) and I think the Union causes to much mess. Things become bigger than it is because certain people do not want to try and solve it themselves or talk to their superiors. Straight Union and Straight Strike -__-. There have been many things on this island that are causing me to just pick up and go. BUT you lots on strike and no trans for me!
Man I just went for afternoon tea at the Hamilton princess..the service was wonderful…I don’t know what has changed HP but keep it up!
All the Bermudians were at BIU HQ. You must have been served by foreign staff !
lol! Ice cold, Sparky. Ice cold.
Okay does any one know where I can get a copy of CBA? Since no one seems to have said exactly where it was broken I’d like to read it myself.
And I have a question, this is a wildcat strike and the BUI made an agreement with the Government (granted the PLP) that they wouldn’t do that in exchange the Government would for get about that money the BIU owed them. So the question is can the Government (now the OBA) claim on the money owed? Cause after all the BIU has broken the agreement.
I think that part of the problem is that the Union have not been prosecuted for illegal strikes and so they feel entitled to go to the extreme at such an early juncture.
Good point Kim.
It would cause civil unrest.
It is part of the plan that failed in the 70′s.
Wimpy ..
That a boy!!! Shut d island down to make em all feel OUR pain
Just out of curiosity can anyone, with first hand knowledge of the issue, highlight what provision of the CBA was breached?
Has there been an actual violation or is the Union upset that they were not advised prior to the action taking place?
If there has been then the hotel should reinstate the Unionised workers and enter into arbitration and let the process take its course.
If there hasn’t been a breach then what is exactly going on here? Are redundancies of Union job positions now illegal?
Just trying to understand the exact situation minus all the huffing, puffing and the general emotions being displayed today.
Thanks.
Oh, all bow down to the mighty and illustrious clown for he shall incite a strike of all brothers and sisters that care to listen to his ignorance, even those that belong to other service providers. Yes make us all hostages so we can believe and honor the most powerful leader and his most HUMBLE followers. Biggest power/ego trip in the land. You can all piss off. I will do my part to HELP those inconvenienced by this load of s***
The Greens should shut the hotel down! —
It is not for them to shut down. What part of landlord vs tenant is so difficult for so many to understand? The Greens have nothing to do with hotel operation.
Fairmont, on the other hand, could shut the hotel in an instant. It is quite surprising that they do not, what with the very slow season, the construction on the property & now the antics of the BIU.
As I am reading all this, very interesting if I may say so! only a few people had the balls to use their real name, it is easy to sling mud in all direction and then not take responsibility for it by hiding behind a fake name. Maybe everyone could start by discussing things like real people that care and only mean the best for the Country. Just saying…take responsibility
The general them amongst many of these anti-union posters, many of whom I am “assuming” are OBA supporters is that these workers should just be grateful for the chance to have a job, and that they are acting very ungrateful for objecting to what they feel is wrong.. Well, in a democratic society, the beautiful thing is that everyone is given their chance to voice their opinion, whether or not it is contrary to what I or anybody else feels about the situation.
Well, I ask you, if you are a child living in your parents home, and as many parents do, all of your expenses are being paid by your parents. If your parents are abusing you, should you just overlook and accept the abuse because you should just be grateful for the fact that your parents are feeding you and accept whatever treatment they subject you to??
If you are a student in a public school and you are being given a “free” education, should you just be grateful when you are being abused by your teachers? should you just be grateful when your students offend you each day, and just accept the abuse, because you should be grateful to have the opportunity †o attend school for free?
If you are a worker in an establishment and you come to work and carry ou† your duties each day to the best of your abilities, and you pay a portion of your salary each week to an organization i.e. a union to represent you in the event that your employer mistreats you, should you just be grateful when that employee terminates you without just cause and disregards an agreement that was put into place to serve you best interest. Should you just be grateful when your employee treats you as if you are not even worth a explanation when this employee feels that he no longer wants you, despite the fact that you have given years of service to this organization??
If you travel public transportation and you are treated to bad service, should you just be grateful for the opportunity to ride a bus and give thanks for the fact that you are not walking??
I am grateful for life, that doesnt mean I wake up every day and don’t do things to make my life better and more enjoyable for me and my family.
I guess we Bermudians should just be grateful for the chance to live in this beautiful island and accept that fact that our forefathers help to make Bermuda that wonderful place it is, and just accept anything and everything that is presented to us.
Well I am grateful for alot of things, that doesn’t mean I am going to allow myself to accept unjust circumstances.
Safe to “assume” that you are a PLP/BIU supporter.
so that is the main point you took from my post?? really?? okay, thanks have a blessed evening.
I never said it was the main point I took from your post, you did. Taking your marbles home already, hmmm. I will have a great evening and I hope do as well. I will give lifts to as many people tomorrow who are being inconvenienced by the abuse of Mr. Chris Furbert and the striking members of the BIU
ok come thru curving avenue and give me a ride ill be ready at 8am were should i stand lol. Honestly if you got more from that post you should have gave him a kudos for the part that you thought was good and not accented the negative, but i forgot with your blinders on you cant see. I’m not as nice as Impressive hope you cant sleep this eve worrying if your coffee will be served on time in the morning massah. SMH
The unjust circumstances you are striking for appear to be that the hotel didn’t follow protocol in the BIU eyes.
The jobs are gone
Shut up Anti you ****…you calling him a clown because bda is a circus!!! Big Butch takin it to the streetz to get the issues resolved. you just vex because you can’t stop it hahahahah united we stand divided we fall.
The hotel management at Fairmont Hamilton have only themselves to blame. Their arrogance and contempt towards Bermudian workers is why we see this action taking place today. There are rules and policies in place and they would do better to follow them.
What about the 6 foreign workers that were made redundant?
too bad no one is thinking straight ….the hotel management royally messed up…the union couldnt resist the blood thirsty desire to strike. I hear there was to be a signing to build a new hotel…guarantee its on hold now… the only hotel we’ll have are the ones that float on water…HP found a perfect method of ensuring they won’t have competition…gosh we’re so brainless
I will be applying for jobs tomorrow at both Princess Hotels and with Govt as a Bus driver or ferry operator. On my resume it will say, NOT A UNION lemming. After 1 year off work maybe things will open up. Thanks C F
There are a whole bunch of unemployed licensed commercial boat skippers at this time of year, along with experienced crews. There are many more unemployed truck drivers around who could qualify for their bus licenses in no time.
Bottom line. Who needs the BIU?
The BIU’S action maybe for a good cause but please all those Zombies standing behind Chris Furbert cheering when he said don’t look for bus or ferry service tomorrow was very tasteless, uncouth and discusting.
One of the biggest myths associated with the 1981 strike is that the just actions of the workers cause Bermuda’s tourist industry to decline. To begin with the than UBP government thought it was going to beat the labour movement into the ground. It failed and found out if you break the union you will break the country. It was lesson that should have been handed down to this new crowd. I find it hard to believe that a rogue hotel manger took it upon himself to violate a long standing mutual agreement between the union and the hotels. I suspect that decision was made much higher up. Other wise it would not had gone as far as it has.
It could be that the decision has been made to change the nature of labour relations and labour agreements concerning this hotel. This in my opinion would be a mistake. The trade union movement led by it’s spear head the Bermuda Industrial Union would never agree to the dismantlement
of long standing union agreements that have been wrought after long years of trade union struggle. If we do not defend workers rights it would be a slap in the face and a betrayal of the legacy left by many members of this union; some who have already passed on; who as a result of their struggle and sacrifice has laid the foundation for labour relations and workers rights in this country. We will not fail to defend this workers rights legacy which has been handed down to us and which we are duty bound to protect.
Yup Al, these BIU members are real assets to the HP staff.
Here is a direct quote from Trip Advisor on the HP posted only a week ago.
“This is a very nice property – the rooms are nice and clean, the restaurant and bar are OK, but I must say it was not quite as “upscale” as I had anticipated. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but it seemed the employees felt as if they were doing you a favor by allowing you to stay in their hotel.”
Great review isn’t it.
So alvin, can you please explain this nonsense after the fact that the Fairmont gave these deadbeat employees 4 weeks pay in lieu of notice which conforms to the CBA agreement?? How about defending those that are correct for a change?? Please note I called them deadbeats because numerous former visitors posted their views on them!!!
The Union is here to stay, People are tired. We are not door mats we have rights. People teach your children the history of this country if not they will all be lost~!
how unfortunate
Wish BPSU would grow a pair of B#%S like the BIU and lean on their membership to do the same as oppose to doing nothing but lip service…..
If the hotel acted up then the hotel workers should bring them to their knees and drag them to the negotiating table.
But what about us workers who rely on public transportation to get to work? Don’t punish us! We didn’t do anything wrong!
Sonesta
Holiday Inn
Castle Harbour
Lantana
Willowbank
The Belmont
Newstead
The bermudiana
Horizons
Pink beach
The Hamiltonian
Waterloo house
Just to name a few
Harmony Club, Ariel Sands, 2 places on White Sands Rd, at least 3 on Point Finger Road, Inverurie, Glen Coe, Whale Bay, Buena Vista, Mermaid Beach, Somerset Bridge Apts, Banana Beach & another next door, trying to think of others from my cycle rental days. There are plenty more which have quietly disappeared over the years since our haydays of the early 70s.
Thousands of jobs gone. So many losses that can be traced back to the attitude & arrogance of the BIU.
or the unfair treatment of locals and the migration of these ex pats
Wow!!! I guess it is Better in the Bahamas!!! Bye Bye Tourists!
blacks need to wake up and relies that as long as they depend on the other side for jobs and support they will stay in the position they are in, create your own jobs and support each others businesses, stop shopping at their shops and supporting people that could care less about you, find solutions for your own problems or find yourselves back into slavery,,