BPSU On Yesterday’s Bus Service Interruption

February 17, 2021

The Bermuda Public Services Union [BPSU] said they would like to provide “clarity regarding yesterday’s interruption to Bermuda’s bus service,” saying that while they recognise the inconvenience caused, employers have a legal obligation to provide a working environment that “ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of all employees.”

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Public Services Union would like to provide the public with some clarity regarding yesterday’s interruption to Bermuda’s bus service. As the public can appreciate and respect, the Union has a responsibility to protect confidentiality and therefore, specific details will not form a part of this press statement. The BPSU, however, believes that it is important to dispel some of the mistruths that are circulating within the community.

“Through the collaborative efforts of the Unions, Government, employer and human rights representatives, the Island has adopted a modern legal framework that protects workers from discrimination, unsafe workplaces, bullying, harassment and incivility.

“While the Union recognises the inconvenience caused as a result of our emergency discussions with Government yesterday, it is important to highlight that employers have a legal obligation to provide a working environment that protects individuals’ human rights and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of all employees.

“In our role as representatives of the Supervisors of the Department of Public Transportation, the BPSU is responsible for ensuring that these labour laws as well as the mutually agreed terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement are upheld by employers. Yesterday, the BPSU did exactly that and as a result, the Government rightfully agreed to amend its original position.

“Much has been said regarding the lack of information provided to the public regarding the resulting interruption in service. For clarity, this responsibility falls under the remit of Government. Currently, the Government utilises a process to communicate daily bus route cancellations to the public.

“Notifications are typically sent via email blasts, announced on radio and through both electronic and social media. Given that Government was aware that there was a labour-related matter pertaining to DPT Supervisors that required immediate attention, the public should have been duly notified from Government.

“The BPSU is committed to its ongoing efforts to strengthening labour relations in Bermuda and has a proud history of responsible unionism.

“The Union will continue to be mindful of the services provided to the public by our membership while at the same time upholding workers’ rights that have been hard-fought for.”

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Comments (15)

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  1. sandgrownan says:

    Er, no. Not good enough. You can provide the service while simultaneously negotiating with Government.

    Not acceptable.

    • wahoo says:

      I call Bull $%!t on this. The Bermuda taxpayer paid for yesterday and got NOTHING in return I feel robbed by my own people. We are broke and this is how the BPSU treat us?

    • Jerry says:

      The BIU and BPSU are hopelessly caught in a timewarp and are a significant hindrance to progress in Bermuda.

      These comments prove it.

      • Southampton says:

        I agree 100%.
        Unions are pain in the butt.

        • What says:

          What is Burt going to do to stop this happening ever again. He already said it was unacceptable and Jason Hayward (the ex BSPU person is in his team.), so he has no excuses. If this ever happens again, then Burt is all fluff and no substance.

    • PBanks says:

      The public is literally last on the mind of all these groups.

      If they’re (the BPSU) begging for public goodwill on this issue, good luck to them.

  2. lizard says:

    Are DPT supervisors “bus drivers”? What stopped the buses from running?
    Little people from the BPSU trying to bully the Taxpayers.

  3. Ver says:

    What a load of you know what! The public appreciates and respects due consideration from Unions. To blame the Government for not informing the public that the buses were not going to run, is nothing short of asinine on your part. I had previously held the BPSU in high regard; with responsible and level-headed leadership. You have let me down and proven you are not much better than the BIU. Shame on you!!

  4. Disgruntled bus user says:

    It’s time we stop calling these inconveniences, they’re costs!!

  5. Pedal to de Medal says:

    And my refund for yesterday Bus Outage please?! My Bus Pass was paid for the ENTIRE MONTH of February.

  6. 5 wheels says:

    A compete waste of space,time and effort to say absolutely jack ship. Talk about BS baffles brains nice try but it aint working. It is obvious the union has NO RESPECT or CARE for the general ublicThe buses could have and should have run. Didn’t have much resect for the union before cause of the way they act now its NIL

    • Fisherman says:

      It will all slip out from under that flat tire on one of those unions buses. It is Bermuda for goodness sake! Just be quiet and listen……..

  7. Joe Bloggs says:

    “While the Union recognises the inconvenience caused as a result of our emergency discussions with Government yesterday, it is important to highlight that employers have a legal obligation to provide a working environment that protects individuals’ human rights and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of all employees.”

    I would like to see that law. I was not aware it existed.

    • CHRIS says:

      they can’t! and frankly was the “stoppage” not illegal?

  8. Mark says:

    what utter nonsense. Always someone elses fault. Smh