BTUC Celebrates International Workers Day
The Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] will be hosting a series of events in celebration of International Workers Day, including three public meetings and a May Day rally.
The public meetings will be held on April 27 at Clearwater Middle School, on April 28 at St. Paul’s A.M.E. Centennial Hall, and on April 29 at Sandys Secondary School Hall.
Topics at the meetings will include the “adverse effects of immigration policies and need for immigration reform, PPPs and privatization, and government’s attack on workers.” All meetings will begin at 6.30pm.
On Friday, May 1, a May Day rally will be held on the steps of City Hall at 12.00pm.
The event poster says, “We encourage all workers to come out in red [the colour of labour] and join together in solidarity with the BTUC to celebrate International Workers Day.”
International workers day celebrations, yet they want to keep out international workers….SMDH !
You sound stupid.Think before you post.
Does text make sound? Hmmmm check your mirror.
Hmmmm here’s some advice. Just shut up next time. Nobody is trying to keep out foreign workers!!
Stop hiding from under that rock.
GOOD.
Someone needs to uphold workers RIGHTS.
Exploitation of workers needs to STOP.
International Workers Day Celebrations – take time off for meetings and hold a rally.
Thats normal in a Democratic environment but I know some of you would like to turn back
One can only laugh at the topics above in light of the BTUC’s members deafening silence when their preferred political Party advocated for privatization and actually embarked on privatization/outsourcing of government services such as recycling pick up, numerous functions at the airport, TCD, elimination of a whole DoT team in favor of the foreign firm Global Hue which saw nearly $30mn leave our shores, closure of St. George’s golf course for a failed foreign developer. Didn’t hear a word from these organizations regarding the PPP used for the hospital either.
Actually below is a March 2011 David Burt speech regarding his desire to see privatization of several government departments as he notes that the private sector would be much more efficient in providing these services. And yet there were no calls to March, overthrow the Government or shut the island down. Why is that BTUC?
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Junior Finance Minister David Burt suggested today that Government
should consider privatising some of its services in order to inject “much needed innovation” into the economy.
He told the Senate candidates for privatisation could include public transport, postal services, waste collection, waste treatment, water and recycling.
But he cautioned: “Just because something has worked in another place in the world, doesn’t mean it will work in Bermuda.”
Senator Burt, delivering his personal views on the economy in his first Budget speech in the Upper Chamber, referenced how Tony Blair and New Labour introduced a new breed of politics termed the Third Way when they swept to power in the UK in 1997.
“This politics was meant to represent the radical centre, a mix between traditional Labour and Conservative policies to deliver for the citizens of a country,” he said.
“One of the items that he pushed through was the partial privatisation of some government services.”
Sen Burt went on: “It will surprise no one when I say that governments are not known to be the most efficient organisations.
“It is my hope that, as the Government looks to open up the budget process and looks to medium-term planning, that we take a serious look at what government services may be able to be provided by the private sector in a more efficient manner.
“It is my belief that, as this Government considers all of the available options, there may be room for some government services to be privatised.
“Government must collaborate with our social partners in the unions and other stakeholders. We can do it in a way that provides secure employment for workers and ensures that their pensions and benefits are secure.”
He claimed the long-term benefit of a policy of deliberate privatisation of government services would be increased efficiency and a reduction in future pressure on public finances.
“The new entities will have a stable income stream that will allow them to expand and reinvest, thereby creating additional employment in our economy” he said.
“The efficiencies created will lead to more economic activity and increased growth.”
The former Progressive Labour Party chairman said he did not believe the issue should be approached “haphazardly or insensitively” and warned: “The risk of damage to our economy will be great if we get it wrong.”
But he added: “Considering the risks, and with careful planning, it is my hope that we’ll look at these items in the near future as a way of injecting some much needed innovation into our economy.”
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Why the silence from the usual suspects I wonder?
As a 11 year member of the BPSU I will not attend any of the events, instead of celebrating labour your agenda is given to you by your political masters, sad really. Perhaps if our union leadership were not unfortunate puppets we could actually demonstrate how dedicated we as a union are to Bermuda and its future, and to those who shun me for speaking against my own Union, please review who fought for my rights to speak out.
Fortunately you are the minority.
How about you comment on Burts speech……
It’s nice of them to wear OBA colours though.
Hey Dreamer that is the color of Labor worldwide.
The color of labour is not red that is the oba colors DA
It is also the colors chosen by the so called peoples campaine
I as a lobour person all my life we not ever wear red
“Government’s attack on workers” …. Sounds like a real positive approach. You’ve already set the stage with a title like that. Too bad.
Too bad its true.
How so? No rights have been infringed. Not one.
No it isnt
I’m sick of the unions. They are more politically motivated than the will to represent workers. My money is going to charity!