Prison Officers Work To Rule Continues
The Prison Officers Association [POA] confirmed this evening [June 6] that their Work to Rule continues.
A spokesperson said, “The POA wishes to advise that recent news media reports have been inaccurate. To be clear, the Work to Rule continues. Additionally the POA is not aware of any reported labor dispute as gazetted.”
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.”
Earlier this week, 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.
The notice added, “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.”
25-11 looking good..
No drone deliveries for the foreseeable future
The major issue is the Prison Officers do not want to contribute to the GEHI fund for their health care, while every other government worker does! Yet they fail to highlight this is the blocker!
“To be clear, the Work to Rule continues. Additionally the POA is not aware of any reported labor dispute as gazetted.”
Perhaps I am being thick but if there is no labour dispute what is the point to the work-to-rule?
so the Ministry has referred it to arbitration but not told the union?
Imagine you get in a fight with a prisoner. You defend yourself but you both have to go hospital because he stabbed you and he received injuries as well. He gets his injuries looked after for free and you have to pay because of the way G.E.H.I is set up. Unbelievable!!!
From what I understand they do have GEHI taken out and co-dependent pay at he Drs office. So they just don’t pay for themselves up front.
And now there is a labour dispute according to the union!