Opinion: Fubler On BIU President’s Speech
[Opinion column written by Glenn Fubler] I found the speech made by BIU President, Chris Furbert on Labour Day to be profound, even though it was brief. I should declare that during my fifteen years serving as Labour Relations Officer, I did a fair number of mediations with this union leader, so we have developed a relationship.
On that note, one of my favorite ‘stories’ that I would use during the introductory phase of a mediation was that in spite of having been married for 30 years, my wife and I regularly disagreed on some key matter- reminding parties that differences are normal whenever there are two or more people involved. I offer this ‘spoiler alert’ on my take of Chris’ speech.
He opened his speech noting that Bermuda was at a most significant crossroad; we’re at a crisis which needs everyone’s attention. The union President went on to affirm that ‘there is no way to change the past’; which I believe is a key perspective, as one claims their power to transform the present.
I believe that the most salient point he offered was the reminder that dialogue is the essential feature of any Human experience. He used the example of vital importance of maintaining open communication between spouses or partners. Mr. Furbert went on to suggest that dialogue amongst all stakeholders in the community – Government, Opposition, Employers and Unions – was essential at this time of great challenge.
The President of the BIU went on to suggest that if we are not able to come together through dialogue and build trust; ‘our country is doomed’.
I believe that expressed sentiment may not be too far off, given our small size and the vulnerability of our economy.
Mr. Furbert concluded his speech pointing out that we are going through circumstances that Bermuda has never before experienced and he noted that this requires a New Charge. I for one agree with his assessment and I’m willing to join in any effort to bring the country together in a meaningful way, in order to move us forward.
The BIU President ended his brief speech traditionally, with the union slogan “United we stand, divided we fall’. Actually that slogan serves our entire island, at this time.
- Glenn Fubler
Mr. Fubler, I respect you have an opinion, but I couldn’t detect the profoundness in Mr. Furburts speech, stating the obvious is neither profound or revealing, these words have been said ad nauseum by most leaders, we need a “verb” to take us to the next phase,..or maybe some recent successes, because relying on the past successes of the Bermuda Industrial Union will not change things either…
Good Day Mr Fubler
What I and many other find interesting is that the present government is unrelenting in its mission to actually constrain and eventually whittle down the number of unionized workers in Bermuda.
So how can a marriage/ relationship be successful if one of the partners is intent on taking away the powers of speech and action of the other partner?
The OBA has made it abundantly clear that they will not honour their pre election promises to the unions and more importantly to the workers of Bermuda.
So again I humbly ask how can this marriage survive?
Respice Finem
“So how can a marriage/ relationship be successful if one of the partners is intent on taking away the powers of speech and action of the other partner?”
Can you elaborate on your allegations?
There has been no increase in the number of labour disputes under the OBA relative to the PLP.
I assume by constrain and whittle down you refer to efforts to cut into the deficit. This is not anti union or anti anything. It is merely an employer assessing costs vs. expenses and keeping in mind that the business…Bermuda in this case
…actually has large numbers of non-union, non-civil servant workers…and they are the wage payers.
Dear Mr Famous,
The minds of union sympathisers will never be changed, even in the face of hard evidence suggesting change is not only desired, but is necessary for the greater good.
Bermuda’s expenses far exceed her revenue. That is a fact. This beautiful little nation is using a credit card to pay the mortgage. If YOU did that, how sustainable do you think it would be?
Despite Mr Furbert’s assurances that the parties need simply to “communicate” – why is it that BIU still uses tactics from the 60s and 70s to get their point across…instead of simply “communicating”? By not speaking against this, Mr Furbert is condoning these actions.
Shutting down the buses, the ferries, the docks – leaving children standing on the roadside – just so they can attend a midday ‘study session’ – is not the way forward. Why don’t they hold these meetings at 7:00pm?
Anyway, I digress.
There are many parts of the world where the union and the employer treat each other as business partners. Why can’t it be like that in Bermy? Something must be done about the pervasive sense of entitlement that exists in the union’s mindset.
Good Day Chris,
I have to ask; where were you (and others involved with the Peoples’ Campaign) about a decade ago when the total and absolute financial incompentence of the government at the time started spreading throughout the island? They could have really used your “Respice Finem” advice then!
Do you understand why it would be tough to expand the civil service (and by extension, the union) at this point in time? Do you understand why we now have to spend more money just to service our debt than we do on ALL public education combined?
Facts and reality are stubborn little things, aren’t they?
More nonsense. That doesn’t change does it.
Chris,
Sometimes one must walk away from a marriage where there is abuse, verbally, physically, or mentally even after vowing to remain together “for better or worse”.
It is interesting to note, the article implies that if you are not Government, Opposition, Employer or Union, then you have no stake in the community.
The implication, even if you’ve been a citizen all your life, hard working tax payer, if you aren’t in the union (or an employer or politician), then you don’t matter.
Once again, a claim to bring Bermuda together is in fact driving a wedge.
Kumbaya Fubler heaping praise on Kumbaya Furbert, while the union members receive a 5 percent paycut and a raise in dues. How does Dunkley do it?
I think many are missing the salient point of Mr. Fubler’s letter. We should talk, communicate, and build common ground.
At the end of the day we all want a prosperous, safe, and happy island.
By communicating we can avoid the wildcat strikes that have hurt the most needy, foster cooperation, and heal the wounds.
Bermuda is in a fight for its financial life – we are all in this together.
If only Mr Furbert would practice what he preaches and actually try talking for once rather than handing out ultimatums and shutting down buses and ferries so the union can have a mid-day meeting.
He might even want to talk to his own membership about the need to increase dues (even though those members are on hard times) and let them have some input into the matter.
He might what to talk to government about how to cut expenses. The island is billions of dollars in debt and, even with recent cuts, is still spending more than it takes in.
He might want to talk …
“Indecision”: It’s like catching one’s genitals between the teeth of a
zipper. The pain of movement in any direction, is equally unappealing”.
That’s how I choose to describe the position I see the B.I.U. presently in…
“Is that the frank or the beans?”
The union are paid by their members.
It is the duty of the union to represent the worker so the employer cannot just treat he or she however they want to.
Unfortunately, the high valued compensation packages being received by the union elitists, puts them in the same club as the employers. You now find the Union joining with management against the worker. For example; workers being asked to work overtime hours at straight pay.
Or accepting free lunches, and who knows what else…and meeting with the employers whilst simultaneously avoiding the person whom they are paid to represent.
We need some of the old blood back in charge, these people understood the plight of the lowly worker at the hands of the fat cats.
This is where plp, in my opinoin went wrong. After all it is a labour party, as the union is a labour organization.
Too much trying to please mr big man too much smoozing around with the suits without regard for your foundations – the laborers.
Even the union is trying to keep up with the jones’s…most likely receiving six figure salaries…how can u relate to the ordinary workers, who often find it hard to make a livable wage? Unless you work for government, and even then most workers represented by the biu do not make any where close to six figures, unless you are counting after the decimal point.
Government continues to spend wildly, funding flights, accomodations,clothes shoes, vehicles, tools, food, drinks, you name it, and we’re spending on it. Not to mention all the outrageous salaries such as the $151,000 or so per year given to that english dude up at the regiment. Our economy cannot support this type of spending…we are running at a deficit here aren’t we?
Somethings got to give.
How much vacation time do some of these high paid gov.ppl get? Ever consider that? If you are making $150,000 a year, presumably you get at least four weeks paid vacation( you can thank the union for that), that’s approximately $12,500 paid vacation courtesy of the tax payer.multiply that by the amount of politicians, cival servants, police etc.. are these excessive wages necessary? Specially in the case of the politicians, all of whom make heaps of money already, in their private enterprises or professional careers. Do they not care that our country is in debt? Demanding six figure salaries out of thin air. If you truly care for your country, and not just your ego, serve the people for free, after all, all you are doing is cruising around the island eating, drinking, and being merry getting photgraphed making speeches. Either that, or yor out spending some of your $450,000 annual travel stipend jetsetting around the globe.
These types have no shame. Mmmmm mmmnn.
When the PLP were wasting the people’s money the unions said nothing. Thanks PLP and BIU for making the workers struggle. Then a 16.5 % increase in dues to pay for corporation BIU.I love it!
Michael Fahy – Senator $30,367 + part time minister in the Senate $80,788 = $111,155
This is six figures for what exactly?
Whay does he do exactly? Fix the incredible mess that was left behind and finally resolving issues that were never properly dealt with or kicked down the road as well as reversing policies that crippled our economy. The best part is that he encourages unity not derision. Why is that you ask? It’s it’s about doing what’s right for Bermuda and not doing whatever it takes to just get elected. Any other questions for you to twist to suit your latest agenda. You reap what you’re sowing there.
Christopher Famous has become the new Betty Trump. He/she just churns out nonsense.
Good job encouraging unity,
Removing term limits, having a blow out sale on residency end essentialy ironing out all the kinks for foreigners to do business, live and reside and and own properties here…no derision there.
Fahy has single handedly grown the voting base while simultaneously disenfranchising bermudians.
In other words…doing what it takes to get elected.
You twist that into bieng something good, for you, maybe, but the evidence of all this fixing and resolving, is yet to be witnessed by us.
In fact we are even further in debt than before.
Show some resolve, get things done, without requiring a huge salary, you are already rolling in the bucks. Do the peoples work for free and truly help to get us back on track. Then and only then will I be impressed.
As far as I’m concerned all politicians are reaping more than they sow.
Most come into politics, having been very successful outside of politics.
However, the political arena does not allow for that kind of success, most leave this arena with all or most of their genuinely great aspirations unrealised…and anywhere between $500,000 -$1,000,000 or more in their personal bank accounts, followed by a lifetime of pension payments…ridiculous!
Meanwhile we are to be happy with the crumbs falling off their table.
We deserve better
That’s what I thought!