Teachers Union On Decertification Legislation
“The BUT will stand firm with our unionized brothers and sisters in opposition to this proposed model of decertification,” the Bermuda Union of Teachers said.
A spokesperson said, “The BUT is fully supportive of our sister unions in opposition to the recent passing of legislation designed to allow for the decertification of unions in workplaces. Unionism is a right of every worker, and the struggle to improve conditions for workers has been an historically imperative one; it is the story of human evolution through compassion, determination, and solidarity.”
“Unions have made tremendous strides toward making workers’ lives better in Bermuda, and this Act evokes unsettling thoughts of attempts to demonize workers’ unions, and destabilize honest, hardworking citizens.
“The BUT will stand firm with our unionized brothers and sisters in opposition to this proposed model of decertification.”
Dr. Michael Charles, General Secretary of the BUT, said: “Having been a part of the original committee that worked on the consolidation of this Bill [Trade Union and Labour Relations [Consolidation] Bill], I anticipate that prudent minds will eventually prevail, and the resulting legislation will be favourable to all concerned.”
“Unionism is a right of every worker …”
No one is suggesting otherwise.
But the right NOT to belong to a union is also the right of every person. And the right NOT to contribute to a union’s finances is also the right of every person.
It is the requirement that workers MUST contribute money to the union that is at the heart of all of this.
That’s an untrue accusation that you have made. Every worker does have the right to refuse union membership and option not to pay union dues. In some cases the deduction is given to a charity. However be sure of what you say before spreading rumours.
Sorry, Facts Check, but you clearly have not read the proposed Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2020.
Instead of donating the whole of union dues to a charity, the new Act will entrench 50% of the union dues going to the union, whether the worker wants to financially support the union or not. Read section 64.
The law changes that. People must give funds to the union. Before they could chose to give some to charity, but now they are forced to give at least half to the union, even if they are not a member.
People who pay should vote in my opinion.