The Bahamian public is informed that the
management of Nassau Flight Services (NFS) has denied allegations made by the Airport
Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) that the services of 5 employees were
terminated for refusal to work overtime. The public should know that while the company
does not wish to delve into the facts surrounding the employees’ termination,
as they are the subject of legal review, and providing details on the matter
may prejudice that process, it is important to state emphatically that the termination
issues relate to aviation safety.
Additionally, the public is advised that
the Union referred the termination to the Department of Labor for conciliation,
and no consensus on the facts was arrived at in that process. The management of
NFS wishes to stress that the company abides by all industrial laws, and as
soon as the Union President files an industrial dispute with the Industrial
Tribunal, NFS will expedite the hearing of the matter, in the interest of
determining the correct legal finding. It is regretful that the Union has
failed thus far to pursue due process in accordance with the law, but has
chosen instead, by unlawful industrial action, to seek to coerce a result,
through duress.
This is even more regretful at a time
when the company is working with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the economic
health of NFS, as the company’s current status requires subsidization by the government
to maintain its operations.
The industrial action was taken during
peak hours at the airport, and were it not for preemptive steps taken by the company,
it could have caused severe economic circumstances to NFS. NFS has and always will continue to work in
good faith with the Union, and in keeping with the Industrial Agreement made
between NFS and the AAAWU.