Comments on: BPSU General Membership Meeting On Friday

By: hmmm

hmmm — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:28:19 +0000

union had plenty of time to get back to the government on this issue…they had known about it for ages. The Govt finally put a deadline on it, as they needed a response already ! Don’t pretend that they were surprised by the issue.

By: hmmm

hmmm — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:25:45 +0000

Disgusting Trump !

By: God 1st

God 1st — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:07:53 +0000

Desperation and dictatorial like are 2 words that can sum up this announcement.

By: Hmmm

Hmmm — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 12:03:27 +0000

Saying NO is the easiest thing to do.!!!!!!!! What would take balls is recognising what is best for the future of all the civil service jobs and say yes to govt. Now he wants to get paid from the work off your back….. Disgusting.

By: Do you actually expect ...

Do you actually expect ... — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:44:35 +0000

Do you actually expect the union members to be provided with details of the compensation package so that they can make an informed decision? If so, I’ve got a friend in Nigeria that needs help moving $20 million out of the country and I can give you his contact details.

By: Do a little research ...

Do a little research ... — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:41:49 +0000

You can argue about whether or not Hanbury is doing a good job. But what he is doing and, more importantly, what he’s responsible for, is incredibly important to anyone even remotely involved in tourism (that includes anyone that benefits from tourist dollars including hotels, restaurants, taxis, the audit firms that review the financials of any of those people, government because of the taxes they collect (includes payroll taxes of all the people involved in the industry) and so forth)

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 02:10:24 +0000

Jason for President.

By: Self

Self — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 00:45:01 +0000

Go to the meeting and ask.
Oh, I forgot they won’t let you in since you’re not a member!

By: Self

Self — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 00:44:04 +0000

Go to the meeting and ask.
Oh, I forgot the won’t let you in since you’re not a member!

By: Be the change

Be the change — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 23:40:24 +0000

50% of our dues already go towards salaries of paid Union positions. How much would Mr. President like to be paid? The arrogance of him to quit his job in anticipation of the members voting to make his position a paid one. I will be voting against this.

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 23:22:50 +0000

No I’m not saying its ok, it’s just that, that’s what some people like to do when they visit islands, and most Islands especially in the Caribbean its encouraged and excepted.

By: Self

Self — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 23:04:25 +0000

Clearly you’re not a union member or you wouldn’t need to turn to Bernews to ask these questions.
Since you’re not a member, it’s none of your biz!!!

By: Understanding

Understanding — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 22:40:21 +0000

Ah remember, the OBA Government sent a letter to the union needing a response by Monday midday, hence, is why the emergency union meeting was held the next business day in Union Square. There was no time for departmental meetings with our shop stewards and you have the OBA Government to blame for that. Remember the Governmemt and the Union had been in talks prior and no talks on continuing the furlough was discussed until they presented their letter on the Friday. The letter was written in very poor taste.
I recommend the Government take a pay cut and sell off their MP cars to help cut spending.

By: BPSU Member

BPSU Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:55:22 +0000

As a union member you should be ashamed, you sound stupid really. This man had the b@lls to stand up to the government for you, risk his professional career for you, go against his employer for you.

You may not like him for what ever reason but he stood on the front line for everyone. So as a member I appreciate what the president has done FOR ME because you put yourself in the fire and for that I take my hat off to you.

By: BBDA

BBDA — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 19:31:53 +0000

I’m sorry Mockingjay – you advocate that having a joint is okay? I don’t smoke – and honestly don’t care who does – but you advocate people bringing in drugs to Bermuda, even for recreational purposes – and being aghast that they might lose their ‘spending money’ for bringing in drugs??

By: Strike fund

Strike fund — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:49:30 +0000

It shouldn’t.

Transportation are represented by the BIU not BPSU.

Many hospital professionals are represented by the BPSU though. How on Earth can they all just leave at 5.30pm?

By: Strike fund

Strike fund — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:46:44 +0000

Not if the place of work has a CBA with the Union. That’s why the donation has to be made to avoid a “free ride”.

They would still be entitled to the same sick, ot and holidays etc., but not individual representation.

By: Strike fund

Strike fund — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:41:33 +0000

The Union’s are the membership and I fear they are being misrepresented and duped by leaders that are protecting their individual interests and not the workers.

When retirements and voluntary redundancies start, these jobs will not be available for the next generation.

By: Strike fund

Strike fund — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:37:53 +0000

The private sector is also funding Hanbury’s salary (which I agree, is way too much).

Union dues will be paying for this position.

I think Union members have a right to know the current finances of their Union and if dues will be increased in the near future. Don’t you?

By: serengetiperson

serengetiperson — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:29:58 +0000

where was this job advertised?

By: serengetiperson

serengetiperson — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:28:43 +0000

how much will union dues increase to pay for this guy?

By: Fed Up Bermudian

Fed Up Bermudian — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:56:36 +0000

Um, here’s the problem. Some of us have kids to pick up from after school programs, etc.- it’s a little more than unfair to expect us to get sitters so that we can vote on something that apparently doesn’t need our vote because it’s done. There’s nothing okay about this. So now I have to miss work anyway- or at least elect to take my lunch hour at four, so that I can go get my child, drop him at- I dunno, a friend’s house? Pay a sitter? So that I can come back into town and attend this meeting I’ve been ‘ordered’ to attend. This is BS.

By: Jus' Wonderin'

Jus' Wonderin' — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:52:35 +0000

Look at all you blind followers. ALL YOUR DUES go to the President. Since we’re on the topic of salaries…HOW MUCH DID/DO YOU MAKE CHRIS FURBURT AND JASON?!?! Similiar to Bill’s salary!

ALL YOU UNION MEMBERS ARE BEING SUCKERED AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW IT LMFAOOO!!

By: Really????

Really???? — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:08:19 +0000

Why an Emergency meeting?? What is the urgency?? Why is this being voted on prior to the BPSU Delegates Conference on Feb. 20th?? Also why,couldn’t the BPSU negotiate an agreement with government that mirrors the BUT with regard to the President’s proposed full-time post??

By: 32n64w

32n64w — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:08:07 +0000

The blatant hypocrisy and last minute manoeuvring shown by the BPSU leadership surrounding this matter is very telling. What do the BPSU bye laws say regarding a quorum and notice period for general meetings?

In order for the members to make an informed decision, hopefully they will be provided a full summary of the salary and benefits package being offered for this newly created paid position. It is THEIR money after all.

More importantly, if the leadership is so keen on ensuring their members’ democratic rights are properly protected and they receive value for their hard earned union dues, why give such a short notice period but then throw a wobbly when the Government asks for quick answers?

By: positivity

positivity — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:07:50 +0000

What time will transportation halt?

By: Young Professional

Young Professional — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:06:30 +0000

I totally agree with you Marie. I am also a BPSU member and we did not do proper discussions of the continual/non-continual of the furlough days. And the strikes days of Monday and Tuesday were harmful for our Union because it caused more division than solidarity. There were still hundreds of BPSU members working, hundreds more were at the march, clocked in and went to Cabinet grounds during breaks and lunch. The strikes were premature and ultimately showed our children that conflict resolution is done by force.

By: Huh

Huh — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:48:35 +0000

Seeking retroactive permission for a fait-accompli on Friday at 5.30. Says an awful lot about the character of the person involved. This does not bode well for on-going labour relations

By: jt

jt — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:42:24 +0000

Maybe they’ll actually schedule a membership vote on the furlough days and do it by secret ballot rather than show of hands. Maybe the other union bodies will do the same.
Maybe they better hurry up.

By: and si

and si — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:41:23 +0000

so if I am hearing you correctly that if he goes full time for the BTUC then he can no longer be the president of the BPSU as the constitution states that the president need to be a BPSU member. and not an associate member.

By: and si

and si — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:39:37 +0000

yes yu can under the constitution of bermuda

By: and si

and si — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:38:29 +0000

it did at the delegates conference and everyonce should go to their delegated and find out what was said and what was the outcome

By: jt

jt — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:38:11 +0000

Hanbury makes too much. I suspect CF does as well.

By: jt

jt — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:33:57 +0000

Will you ask at the meeting?
Will the vote be show of hands or ballot?

By: Joonya

Joonya — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:31:04 +0000

You mean the “two Bermudas” whereby some understand economics and some dont?

By: Nurse

Nurse — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:28:49 +0000

This is just amazing. You all complain if a meeting is called during the workday because you can’t get off or your boss wont pay you for the time that you are away, or it disrupts service, then you complain if a meeting is called after hours on a Friday because you just want to go home. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You complain because certain things aren’t done then you complain when it is done. Why is it that the people who are not capable of doing a job or responsible for doing the job always know. how it should be done

By: and si

and si — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:23:26 +0000

Also as the constitution states that in order to be a president of the BPSU you have to me a BPSU member. since you will be unemployed do you actually qualify.

By: aceboy

aceboy — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:26:13 +0000

How much does Chris make? Nobody seems to know, not even the members that are being asked to vote on his employment status…at an “Emergency meeting” held at 5.30pm on a Friday…lol That is just too funny. Talk about blind faith.

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:24:00 +0000

Good and give in your BENEFITS and the charity support you.
DREAMER

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:21:27 +0000

Just like we’re paying Bill Hanbury $7,000 a week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Mockingjay

Mockingjay — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:17:09 +0000

Tourism numbers will never get to the point of the 70′s and 80′s, it’s too expensive, stuck up and BORING.
That’s why the Caribbean flourishes, reasonable prices and MORE FUN and flexibility.
And Lord forbid if they get caught with a joint here, their spending money done.
But someone getting paid over $7,000 a week in this economic climate while hearing O.B.A./ubp’ers crying down Government workers for not excepting a FURLOUGH day AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the TWO BERMUDA’S

By: J

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:00:43 +0000

I am a union member, and I have the following questions for the current president:

1. Why do you feel the post needs to be full-time? Have the duties from past presidents changed? Are you seeking to capitalize on your new found fame?

2. Where did the suggestion of making the post full time and paid come from?

3. I note that you have resigned from your Civil Service job (and thus, are no longer a union member). When addressing the Union, will you be using the term “we” or “you (sic) lot”?

4. How much will the position be paid?

5. Will my dues increase? And by how much?

6. Why did you announce on Thursday that a meeting will be held at 5:30pm on Friday?

Please advise. Thank you.

By: Clare

Clare — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:41:53 +0000

Oh, I didn’t realise he’d given up his CS job. Thanks for explaining.

By: Sensible Talk

Sensible Talk — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:40:48 +0000

The Union Square meeting was the entire union body of the BTUC, this meeting only pertains to BPSU!! Oh mercy you people!

By: John

John — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:28:17 +0000

I shall not be “ordered” out of work to attend a vote for a job sorry

By: BBDA

BBDA — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:05:44 +0000

Well…

Maintaining our tourism image, plans, projects, advertising and such.

I.E Making sure the vast majority of Bermudians have welcome and eager tourists looking to visit our shores.

I.E Making sure most of us have reasons to have a job!!

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:48:11 +0000

Coffee no there were not discussed at the end of each pay period wiht my division. Yes my division had furloug days, but no meeting was held to discuss the furlough since two years ago. This meeting that was called on that Monday last was a missrepresentation of the unions. They had thier own agenda and were setting the workers up. How could one hold a meeting on Union Square. How did they think things would be setteled. What they felt that the talks with government were finish, they should have involved their shop stewards to hold meetings with their various departments to obtain some ideas of how to cut back. All shop stewards should of had a deadline to support thier members responses and then the union officials should have gone through them and selected the best 10 or 5 and than called a meeting to finalize a solution before they decided to have an unofficial strike. Stop acting like them and bet them at their own game.

By: Starting Point

Starting Point — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:37:51 +0000

LOL classic unions, as if most BPSU members have any intention of doing anything but going home after work on a friday. This is a move to avoid people actually showing up to vote because it is already a done deal.

how about the BPSU set a rule that quorum of the entire membership (60%) needs to be in place to even have a vote. Doubt it…

Then they will release the salary, prob 100K or so and say how reasonable it is compared to the BTA salary just released, will use it to rally against the government again. The BPSU is a political body and not a union, shame really, as if we had effective and professional unions in Bermuda our workforce would be educated, professionally developed and protected.

By: it is time

it is time — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:18:11 +0000

Yes it is time to take my money out of the union and donate to charity. Pronto

By: Truth is killin' me...

Truth is killin' me... — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 12:14:46 +0000

BPSU…have plenty of yous money to pay him what he deserves! He went to bat for you lot!! TALK IS NOT CHEAP!!! If you don’t want him paid…GO VOTE!