Labour Dispute Between Govt & Prison Officers
The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports issued a notice that a “labour dispute exists” between the Government and the Bermuda Prison Officers’ Association, and she is referring the dispute for settlement to the Labour Disputes Tribunal.
This is according to today’s [June 3] Official Notices, which said, “Pursuant to section 4 of the Labour Disputes Act 1992, I declare that a labour dispute exists between the Government of Bermuda as represented by the Department of Corrections and the Bermuda Prison Officers’ Association, its members and employees of the Department of Corrections.
Screenshot of the notice:
The notice added, “In accordance with section 11 as read with section 4, of the Labour Disputes Act 1992, I am referring the said dispute for settlement to the Labour Disputes Tribunal established under section 5 of that Act.
“In accordance with section 19 of the Labour Disputes Act 1992, after the publication of this Notice, any lockout strike or irregular industrial action short of a strike is unlawful and any person who takes part in, incites or in any way encourages, persuades or influences any person to take part in, or otherwise acts in furtherance of, a lock-out, strike or irregular industrial action short of a strike that is unlawful under this section is guilty of an offence.”
The notice was dated today [June 3] and signed by Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports Lovitta Foggo.
Last month the Prison Officers’ Association noted that they engage in arduous work inclusive of caring for mentally ill inmates for which there is no adequate support, with the Association saying they have been “faced with unaddressed adverse matters pertaining to safety, security, and work conditions for over 20 years.”
In May, the Association said, “The members have voted to Work to Rule. Simply put, our members will abide and work by the terms and conditions of the CBA.
“This is not industrial action but what a disciplined services does – work to the rules and regulations that govern the service. The Permanent Secretary has received documentation confirming a Vote of No Confidence against six members of the Department of Corrections’ Senior Management Team as voted on, almost unanimously, by our POA members.
A BNV discussion with the Prison Officers Association Chairman held last month
“The Prison Officers’ Association comprises men and women to engage every day in arduous work unlike the average job. This is inclusive of caring for mentally ill inmates for which there is no adequate support or housing.
“We believe that we are truly the forgotten service. We recognize every day that one of us may not return home to our families. The POA requests the respect and remuneration so belatedly forgotten and yet well deserved.”
This is one of multiple labour issues at this time, with public schools closing on Friday afternoon as the Bermuda Union of Teachers held an emergency meeting, and bus operators recently instituting work to rule.
It seems that the PLP who wanted the power, is incapable of running the Island. Four Unions are in dispute. While they are seeking to be heard and rewarded, the PLP elite are handing themselves lucrative perks and consultants. However, the greed will continue because the elite know their voter base won’t publicly complain with marches or demonstrations. Their voters will have to get used to no buses and poor schools and little opportunity to get good jobs. Too late to blame the UBP (no point since so many ex UBP MPs are now in the PLP) the PLP own it.
Ringmaster.. Excellent comment!!!!
This ^
Pee El Pee voters were told the OBA just pulled $77m out of thin air to host the Americas Cup and now they want theirs!! Shouldn’t have drank de titty milk is all I have to say!! Hahahaha!!
Hows that 25-11 looking voters! These guys couldn’t organize a hot in goslings warehouse.