Minister & BTUC On Labour Tribunal Decision
Both the Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] and Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy have commented on the decision of the Labour Disputes Tribunal.
The BTUC said, “The decision of The Labour Disputes Tribunal reflects the fact widely acknowledged throughout our community that the dispute between the Government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] over the Furlough Day issue is now over.
“The dispute ended in January 2015 when the Government of Bermuda decided mandatory Furlough Days would not be imposed upon the workers of Bermuda after the 31st March 2015 .The workers of the BTUC then immediately returned to work.
The BTUC added, “Since that time, the Premier and the Minister of Home Affairs have repeatedly said Furlough Days cannot be forced upon the workers of Bermuda. The decision of the Tribunal is also consistent with comments made by the Chief Justice who said the Furlough Day issue had been referred to the Tribunal.
“Finally, the Tribunal decided it would not be appropriate to have penal consequences hanging over the parties for an extended period due to an unspecific apprehension that a labour dispute of one form or another may arise.”
“The BTUC believes this is a commonsense and refreshing approach to Labour Relations which is much needed in our community at this time.”
Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy said, “Whilst the Government is disappointed with the ruling from the Tribunal, there is of course a current matter before the Supreme Court relating to very similar issues.
“The matter before the Supreme Court relates to the obtaining of a permanent injunction to prevent various BTUC member unions from engaging in activities that breach the various Labour Acts.
“Despite what has been said by some, the permanent injunction application is not seeking to prevent lawful activity, rather it is seeking to ensure the laws of Bermuda are followed prior to industrial action being taken”. ‎
The Labour Tribunal Decision follows below [PDF here]:
Well folks, we can only hope the Supreme Court has a brain??? If not, bye bye bermuda!!! This ILLEGAL work stoppages need to stop now, it is a sad day when Law Breakers prevail!!!!
Our For Fathers are smiling down on us.
That one was for you Burning Spear.
For…four…or fore?
This decision means nothing. Only that no present dispute is deemed to exist and they refuse to deal with it beyond that since it is in the courts. It shows weakness on the tribunals part and serves neither employees or employers effectively since the message is that either side can behave as they wish whilst the can gets kicked down the road for a few months until nothing of consequence is done by the tribunal. The real losers are the general public in most cases.
The decision of consequence here will come from the courts.
Not a single one of you have it anywhere near as bad as you forefathers. And u dont have the slightest incling as to how hard they fought for what u obviously abuse. Sad really as u lot will suffer the most.
True, but the more our young people are educated on the struggle the more they will appreciate it.
Its hard to build a Legacy and twice as hard to MAINTAIN it.
Please enlighten us
Organised labour must retain the right to strike as it is their most effective tool in the face of a true grievance.
But that should be the absolute last resort tactic once negotiations completely fail and must be carried out in accordance with the CBA.
If not then the Unions should have no qualms with the other side (i.e. employers) who breach the agreed upon CBA(s).
It has to work both ways or what is the point of a CBA?
You can’t expect the employers to abide by the signed and CBAs while at the same time having Unions believe they have every right to breach the agreement with no consequence.
Employers need employees and employees need employers. They have to work together as per the agreements or we get nowhere and the public suffer the most.
Its always the last resort, but employers want to play hardball and that’s when the S!@# starts.
The Union appears to always plays hardball.
The employers want their team of employees to get the job done properly for a fair days pay.
YO!!!!!!!!!
Yajgnikcom is that your email address?
What an idiot you are Kangoocar I feel sorry for you and people who think like you that is the only way for the working class to be heard and it’s only used after bighead government and bosses refuse to be reasonable and now the biggest Liar Michael Fahy and OBA turning out to be the worst government to date are still gonna fight the decision lol hahahahaha what a bunch of idiots