BIU Defends Dock Worker Vote Process
The Bermuda Industrial Union has issued a statement clarifying their position.
A spokesperson said, “We will not revisit the specific discussions that took place during the union meeting in which the vote occurred. However, we categorically deny any allegations of intimidation or procedural flaws in the voting process. The union is made up of members who attend meetings and exercise their democratic right to vote. While a secret ballot is not required under the union’s constitution except for specific types of meetings, the option was still presented to members during the meeting. It was clearly stated that a secret ballot would be held if even a single member requested it. No such request was made at this meeting.
“To clarify, of the 35 dock workers, 33 are unionized and were eligible to participate in the union meeting. All eligible members were notified and given the opportunity to attend. To prevent service disruption, the union agreed that 5 workers would remain on the dock during the meeting. At least 3 other members were known to be on vacation, meaning 25 members had the opportunity to attend.
“24 members were present at the start of the meeting. When the vote took place, 21 members [approximately 65% of eligible unionized members] remained and participated. A clear majority voted in favor of the overtime ban and there were none against.
“We recognize that some dock workers disagree with the decision made by the division, which is a natural part of any democratic process. However, those voicing concerns may include non-members, members who chose not to attend the meeting, or individuals who are simply dissatisfied with the outcome. While we respect differing opinions, it is equally important to uphold and respect the democratic processes that govern our union. Dismissing the outcome of a majority vote or suggesting the process lacked legitimacy undermines the integrity of that process and the collective strength of our membership.
“Regarding the emergency request for overtime, this should have been directed to the union committee for consideration, rather than the employer approaching individual members directly. Doing so bypasses established processes and creates a divide-and-conquer dynamic that undermines solidarity.
“Lastly, the Port Workers Division has previously implemented overtime bans not only in support of its members but also in defense of managers who were unjustly terminated. In those instances, the Division actively advocated for their reinstatement.
“We respectfully ask that any member with concerns or differing views use the internal union channels available to them. This ensures that issues are addressed constructively and in a manner that upholds the values and principles of trade unionism.”
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