Live Video Replay: BIU President Chris Furbert
Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert held a press conference this afternoon [Nov 30], saying he called it to “clarify some issues that have been alleged against the BIU, in relation to four workers that were dismissed from the Corporation of Hamilton.”
“When you think about the BIU, who has been representing workers for 70 years now,” the BIU President said. “It’s very concerning when you have four members going to the press and saying the things they were saying.”
The press conference has just concluded, and the 12-minute live video replay is below:
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Sorry but I could only listen to the first 3 minutes and have no idea what the issue is…all I know is that Mr. Furbert is angry and mixing up his words.
@ wahoo………who really cares what you could or couldn’t listen to……
English subtitles would be helpful here.
So let me get this straight: instead of encouraging it’s members to NOT use drugs because they could lose their job, Furby tells members NOT TO TAKE A DRUG TEST unless their employer has an official drug policy? Sounds about right.
Here’s a thought, if you value your job, lay off the drugs.
It’s really unbelievable that that is the advice. Hopefully this puts the onus on the Corporation to implement a drug policy.
Also, why is Chris Furbert so confrontational? Even if he believes he is not at fault, he could be a less shouty.
He is confrontational in a weak attempt to justify his position. It is overcompensating because he knows he is spinning yarns. Read him like a book! So many tells!
Yes memebership….continue operating heavy equipment and when you injure yourself or domeone else (or worse kill someone) please approach the union for legal representation or mometary compensation for you and the victims.
Three easy payments of $19.99. Hooked on Phonics Worked For Me.
I’m looking above. You might want to get your money
Back
1. Bermudians who have to use the art of code-switching in professional environments can understand him just fine. He speaks like a homegrown and old school Bermudian, which is who he represents. I take offence to your comment as a Bermudian who understands that not everyone got the class-A private school education like you seem to have gotten.
2. He didn’t say that at all. He said as the CoH has no drug policy, their employees are not obligated to take a drug test. It’s that simple.
Here’s a thought: read to understand, not to criticize.
Drug test’em!!!! ouch..
The easiest way to downsize
Back to the same ole crap without having to read anything.
After the AC someone turn off the heat.
Drug testing? Is that what this is about? OMG! In other news the inventor of the Big Mac just died – I know right? And we are worrying about this? What a country.
The drug test policy requirement is a good point. He is not saying go take drugs. He is saying if blood test finds drugs in their system or whatever, what is expected after that? The policy may involve rehabilitation for example or disciplinary action as another example. For the President of the BIU to stand up for principals and for his members to be in line of that and to follow guidelines is a welcome sight. So we should be praising him, not putting him down. He has a tough job. BIU’s purpose is to look out for the rights of its members. And you know he does that well. And to be accused otherwise should get under his skin. It would get under my skin if I was in his shoes too. Truth be told.
Praising him??? This isnt something unheard of. He could have said far less, and sounded more professional had he sent a simple email which examples of similar policies tgat aee deemed to be professional. 12 minutes of yap yap yap qith no direction or real purpose other than…im in power, do as I say, bow down to me or I will bring you to your knees.
Well said.
You are right, he does an excellent job. He does it much too well.
Bermuda’s workers are aging, undereducated, and completely sheltered from job competition by an aggressive union and incredibly strict immigration rules. So, Bermuda’s workers are worse at their jobs, but get better pay, than pretty much anywhere in the developed world. So why would anyone want to hire Bermudian employees, if they can hire people somewhere else to do the same work?
Until Bermuda fixes its schools and gets a better balance of work output to salary, jobs will keep leaving Bermuda.
Legalize marijuana and we wont have a problem with people refusing testing. Why isn’t testing done for alcohol,proven to be the worst drug out there killing people,accidents, fatalities, health problems and destroying families!!
Alcohol drug testing is done at belco. All staff are subject to random testing that includes weed, booze and many other drugs too. Get your facts straight please.
Alcohol can only be detected for a couple after consumption, THC can be detected for up to a month and is not an indication or proof of intoxication, it just allows people to legally discriminate against some people.
I have not heard Mr. Furbert,s reply, so I will only speak in general terms. It is a known fact, that there is some loss in productivity, some industrial accidents, as well as abuse of sick leave due to the use of illegal substances as well as the consumption of alcohol. Should an employer take steps to safeguard his business and employees ?? If you own a business, and you felt that a portion of your business expenses were related to your employees use of alcohol and drugs, would you seek all legal remedies to protect your business??? Funny, if you refuse to take a sobriety test, as the operator of a motor vehicle, you can be penalised, I believe its equal to the penalty had you admitted guilt or takenthe sobriety test and failed. Drug testing is necessary to ensure the pilot is not operating a plane while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, same way for persons involved in any capacity in the operating room of a hospital. The answer is clear when lives matter we insist on a high standard of proficency, with-out any legal framework. It would be interesting to know, of the more than 200 employers in Bermuda, how many have a drug policy. Further, if there is no drug policy, can the employer demand a drug test? Perhaps there are many many people who have lost their jobs or been denied a promotion because they refused to take a drug test. It shall be interesting to many how this matter is resolved.
Known facts need solid evidence doesn’t they? I bet no one can produce accurate, itemized statistics concerning industrial and on the job accidents and their causes, just like road fatality and serious injury stats, the best we will get is “alcohol and drugs”.
don’t they?
BIU only interested in helping the old govt. Workers beware.
Like Bermuda Chamber of Commerce is not interested in U.B.P.
One solution to everything according to Chris: “Drop tools”. What happened to the legal requirement to give notice?
Wow, I find myself in the same boat as those brothers from the corporation. I was what I believe to be wrongfully dismissed from parks, its scary to see the unions position that no workers stood up for the dismissed workers.i now feel that since no one stood up for me in my case then I’m doomed to be one of those cases that reach the fifteenth month stage! I’m now in the eleventh month of my ordeal and feeling very dumbfounded and vulnerable. (Guess I should have been a preacher)
Our forefathers who fought tooth and nail for the powers that the union now has are turning in their graves for the nonsense that this union addresses.
My people we need to do better. Aren’t you tired of foreigners taking the jobs and businesses we should own?!?
Nothing is stopping you starting a business but yourself.
Your people are weak and deserve everything that they get.
Having a drug policy is rather important, for the protection of the worker, and the business. Ensuring that the policy is fair and adequate is also sensible. We have read of a number of situations where drug/alcohol was in the person,s system at the time of the incident. Sometimes parties to the agreement are anxious to put a substance on the prohibitive (controlled) list, but do not have a rehabilatative component. Is the employer responsible for the rehab component? NO! In an effort to save many and their families from a whole lot of suffering and demise of business, a social conscience was appealed to, and a plan to have a drug free work enviroment. I prefer that a drug test be given / required following a situation where a person suffered an injury on the job or damage to business property happen, if there is no evidence of drugs,fine, we can look at other causes.
I mean, what a total idiot. He goes on TV to expose the private issues of these workers because he’s too thinned skin to do his job? Time for a new leader.
Furbert has an extremely tough job. In many cases he is the last resort for the indefensible. He is trying to keep people working, these are not the children of the 40 thieves or the privileged.Bermuda be a lesser country to live in for everyone with these folks unemployed. Mocking his delivery sounds like snobbery.
On a related not, the COH is about most lenient/forgiving workplace on planet earth…things are changing i guess.
The Police Association,,,,,represents the Police,,,,,,The Prison Officers Association ,,,,,,represents ,,,Prison officers,,,,,Civil Service Union,,,,,represents Civil Service.Come into the real world……..Renegades….have to be dealt with by the rest of the workers,,,,like we used to deal with them………either leave the unions and represent themselves,,,and stop receiving the benefits hard worked for by the other members of their Union ,or Organization.You cant have it both ways.Peace
Who cares what this guy tries to articulate….
The problem is not Chris / BIU. The CoH must have a drug abuse policy in place before they fire anyone who tests positive for drug abuse. You people are taking shots at the BIU are ignoring the delinquency of the employer….AGAIN!
Everyone get your point. BIU has offered no constructive engagement here to assist these workers. Hanging them out to dry is completely ineffective.
Say what? An employer needs to ensure a policy is in place to address employees who contravene long established criminal statutes? Using this logic, employers should also have a policy against theft and if they don’t it’s ok? Really?