Nassau, Bahamas - The Democratic National Alliance
(DNA) stands in support of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) employees
that have been affected by recent negotiations with Restaurants Bahamas
Limited (RBL). As with the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP)
workers a few months ago, the DNA is prepared to listen to the concerns
of disenfranchised employees and to fight for those that cannot fight
for themselves.
It is unfortunate that Minister
of Labour has proven to be unable or unwilling to swiftly address this
issue in the best interest of concerned KFC employees. Once again, Minister
Dion Foulkes has demonstrated his inability to protect the most vulnerable
in our society, working families.
Leader of the DNA, Branville
McCartney, recently spoke out saying, “the right of workers to organize
and petition their working conditions is inherently Bahamian; it is
apart of our fabric. The DNA is prepared to protect that right at all
costs.”
Alfred Poitier, DNA candidate
for Sea Breeze, noted that according to employment laws, employers cannot
take away a benefit that an employee is already receiving without the
employees consent or that of the bargaining unit of the employees. This
seems to be the case according to information provided by KFC, who are
requesting a reduction in the salary range for their employees.
Mr Poitier said, “Realistically,
I do not know any bargaining unit that would readily agree to that.”
In fact, Mr. Poitier poised
several questions, which may be shared by the Bahamas Hotel Catering
& Allied Workers Union, that offer a better understanding of why
it is necessary or unnecessary to ask staff to take pay cuts. Those
questions are:
-
Have they sought to reduce
any other expenses other than salary?
-
What is the exact financial
position of the business?
-
How has the volume of traffic
in the business decreased over the last 12, 24 or 36 months?
-
If the volume of business
decreased, did KFC reduce the staff count?
“We must be mindful that
the livelihood of many of our Bahamian brothers and sisters—Bahamian
families, are being adversely affected due to this issue during an already
poor economic period. Openness is key to a favorable solution,” Mr.
Poitier said, adding that the Party prays that calm heads prevail and
the employees are protected from a loss of jobs or income.
The DNA Party strongly urges Minister
Foulkes, the Union and KFC owner, RBL to reach a swift and immediate
resolution that protects the interest of workers.
The Party will continue to
champion workers’ rights and will map out the way forward for swiftly
resolving Union and management disputes. A DNA government will be one
where workers are seen as the beneficiaries instead of adversaries of
government.
The DNA recognizes that its
time that the diligent, mobile workers of this nation reap the benefits
of their labor.
