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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Ministry of The Public Service responds to Allegations made by the Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union
Apr 20, 2016 - 12:45:55 PM

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Nassau, Bahamas - This press statement is in response to the Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union’s (BCIAWU) recent press conference as published on Page A2 of the Nassau Guardian of Wednesday, 13th April 2016 and also broadcast via the media.

On 12th April 2016 the BCIAWU held a press conference at the House of Labour where the Union accused the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister of Labour of sabotaging the Union’s strike poll knowing that the Supreme Court Justice, on the previous day, 11th April 2016 dismissed the Unions claims.

Negotiations between the Government and the BCIAWU for an industrial agreement started in 2012.   The negotiations were going well until the Union presented new wording on the Article for Discipline and Discharge (Article 7.3) on 8th January 2013 for consideration by the Government’s negotiating team. In response to the Union’s submission the Government’s side caucused to review the new proposal. However, upon return to the negotiation table, the Government’s side was surprised and disappointed to discover that the Union had left the building without requesting an adjournment.

On 14th January 2013 the BCIAWU Counsel, Mr. Obie Ferguson, wrote Mr. Keith Archer the lead negotiator of the Government’s team, alleging that the Government’s offer was less favourable than the terms and conditions of employment that Union members currently enjoyed. On Wednesday, 16th January 2013 the Government’s team assured Mr. Ferguson that the Government’s position was not to offer terms and condition less favourable than his clients presently enjoyed. Further, in a letter to Mr. Ferguson dated 22nd January 2013 from the Government’s side, Mr. Ferguson was informed that it was the opinion of the Government’s side that no impasse existed and the Union was invited to resume negotiation on Monday, 4th February 2013.

On 24th June 2013 the BCIAWU filed an action against the Government claiming that members of the Bargaining Unit wages were unilaterally reduced and that overtime was part of their member’s wages.

The Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister of the Public Service agreed to sign an interim Agreement with the Union until the matter was resolved in Court. This interim Agreement which was executed on 4th December 2014 provided the following:


·  Geographical Posting Allowance - $2,650.00

·  Disturbance Allowance - $300.00 per month

·  Transport Allowance - $250.00 per month or $2.00 per mile

·  A lump sum payment of $600.00 July 1st 2012

·  Lump sum payment of $600.00 July 1st 2014

·  Uniform Allowance - $100.00 per month

On 24th March 2016 the Government again formally invited the BCIAWU to resume negotiations and to conclude the Industrial Agreement. There had also been informal invitations to resume negotiations over the last two (2) years. However, to date, the Union has not responded.

On 11th April 2016 a written ruling was issued in respect of BCIAWU’s court case. The Court upheld the Government’s position regarding wages and allowances and dismissed the Union’s claims, awarding the Government costs.

The Government again, invites the Union to return to the bargaining table to resume and conclude the industrial agreement for the hard working and deserving public officers within the Customs and Immigration Departments as this is one of three outstanding Industrial Agreements within the public service.

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