BPSU President: ‘Be Guided By Conscience’

March 10, 2016

BPSU President Jason Hayward addressed the People’s Campaign call for an island-wide withdrawal of labour, saying “this issue is not a labour issue but a National issue” and “all workers are encouraged to be guided by their conscience and do what they believe is in the best interest of the Country.”

In a letter sent to the BPSU membership, Mr Hayward says, “All should be well aware that there has been a call from several organizations for an Island-wide withdrawal of labour today.

“Over the last two days, we have been in talks with the Government in an effort to help them appreciate and understand the level of discontent in the community over the tabled amendments to the Immigration and Protection Act 1956 and the lack of collaboration and inclusiveness in the process. We informed the Government that their current trajectory could ultimately lead to some form of unrest.”

Crowds of people outside House today as MPs discuss the immigration policy inside:

labour-dispute-mar-1116

“We requested that the Government withdraw the legislation and engage in a consultative process that was inclusive of all stakeholders. Unfortunately, despite recognizing the growing tension in the Country and the call for a balanced and inclusive approach to immigration reform, the Government has chosen to proceed. At this point, we have done everything that we possibly can.

“We also expressed to the Government our concern for Sis. Enda Matthie who has courageously engaged in a hunger strike to influence change in Bermuda.

“This issue is not a labour issue but a National issue. All workers are encouraged to be guided by their conscience and do what they believe is in the best interest of the Country.”

The withdrawal of labour has resulted in the loss of bus and ferry service as well as the cancellation of garbage collection and you can follow our live updates here.

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Comments (24)

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  1. Positivity says:

    Thanks for the update. so not a labour issue yet essential services not working. We are paying for these services….ridiculous.

    • Kevin says:

      What essential service is not running?

      • Star says:

        Well, the medications I was expecting to pick up tomomrrow from Phoenix, that were sent by FedEx from the U.K. because of their time sensitive nature, never cleared customs because customs was on strike. Now it looks like the earliest possible time I’ll be able to pick them up is on Monday afternoon. I only hope my condition doesn’t worsen by then.

        Customs is definitely an essential service.

        • Actually...... says:

          Customs is not considered an essential service

        • Actually...... says:

          Customs is not considered an essential service but I hope you are ok.

        • Facts says:

          Do your homework before you try to bust out in a rant about Customs being and essential servant. You know full well u ain’t got no damn medication at FEDEX. If indeed you do have medication there is hope it’s brain medication because you’re dumb. CUSTOMS IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL SERVANT!

    • Support Our Workers says:

      SO WHAT! If we are inconvenienced by the temporary withdrawal of labor in order to obtain a more bi-partisan immigration reform who cares!!! I’m not a government worker but I pay taxes and I understand and support their decision. It is just a shame that they are they main people out visually showing their concern while others sit on the sideline. While I know Bermudians working in private sectors are working under a foreign worker who makes more then them and knows much less. All workers should join them but if that happen we will still have something negative to say about government workers…SMH

      • Sickofantz says:

        What changes to immigration would you like to see?

    • Confused by your comment says:

      As far as I know the only services considered essential are Fire, Police, prisons and hospital which I believe we’re all available and neither are represented by the BPSU. So then what does the BPSU president’s statement have to do with the essential services? Please correct me if I am wrong or if I’ve misunderstood the comment.

      • Facts says:

        Thank you!

      • Correction says:

        BPSU does represent hospital staff such as nurses, social workers, physiotherapist, and other allied health workers.

  2. Donald drumpt says:

    Privatize let them all lose their jobs.

    • flikel says:

      What will privatizing solve? Workers are still entitled to union representation.

      • LiarLiar says:

        But at least the taxpayer won’t have to fund these services and our national deficit can be closed and the debt mountain finally tackled.

      • hmmm says:

        Workers will be incentivized by the success of the operations.

        That is a huge advantage to workers.

      • Triangle Drifter says:

        Yes they are, however they will need to vote to become unionised first.

        Choice, pay dues so that union officials can maintain the lifestyle to which they have become accutomed or keep that money in your own pocket & rely on your own peformance to earn a little more than the next guy doing the same job.

        What would you do?

    • cup of tea anyone? says:

      No ……fortitude to give a straight answer.

    • Onion says:

      That kind of rhetoric doesn’t help.

  3. hmmm says:

    Bottom line the OBA have not slashed 40% of the CS jobs, they have brought in programs to ensure as many people keep their jobs e.g. voluntary retirements.

    The OBA have been very fair to the Civil Service. To disrupt a country because 50-60 people may have the chance to vote in the next election, who have been contributing to you and I for 20+ years is disgusting. If you have a conscience you will be at work contributing to the welfare of Bermuda and all Bermudians.

  4. Clare says:

    If I took the day off “sick” and wasn’t sick, I’d be fired for misconduct, as that is lying.

  5. Acegurl says:

    Mr, Hayward, I thank my lucky stars everyday that as a lifetime paying member of the BPSU you never had to represent me. Why do you have such a desire to be so confrontational and radical? You are supposedly representing white collar workers who have the ability and capability to critically think for themselves. Me thinks you have your own agenda. It would be interesting to hear your philosophy on the paid role you currently hold. I can guarantee it would have been ‘agency shop’ for me.
    As for this TUC, they are the unnamed third political with the Reverend running the show. Watch out Chris, he is knocking at the door. BTW does the Reverend have a PRC?

  6. Stay out says:

    Stay out. As I understand the union needs to pay you to stay out and they do not have any MONEY. Ask them where all your dues are. Where does your conscience lay now.

  7. Rhonda Smith says:

    The Hospital is represented by both BIU and BPSU

  8. Leslie says:

    Jason Hayward you are wrong about this not being a labor issue. Most of these people that the Minister Fahy want to give status too are working. So in fact are taking jobs that Bermudians could and should be doing. And they don’t all need retraining for either. That is a red herring. And quite a few are probably illegal immigrants. Or they have over stayed their first work permit. How come you never or very rarely hear of the immigration dept hunting down other nationals besides Jamaicans for over staying their vacation or work visas. And yes a lot ot the countries that these other foreign nationals come fom are more dangerous and impoverished than Jamaica. Ask those Canadian tourists kidnapped in the Phillipines by the Muslim Islamists