Cable Bahamas expressed "surprise" yesterday after the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) said it is prepared, with the assistance of other unions, to "shut Cable Bahamas down" if no resolution is reached within the next month to a dispute between the two sides.
The BISX-listed communications provider was hit with the threat of industrial action over an alleged decision not to complete negotiations with the union that would have allowed its employees to unionize.
In comments later contradicted by the company, the union claimed that Cable Bahamas has failed to recognize it as the legitimate bargaining agent for its non-managerial employees notwithstanding a court's recognition of the union having this status "over a decade ago".
The BCPOU pointed to the circumstances leading up to the closure of a building by Cable Bahamas as one of a number of incidents that have placed workers at risk during the time in which the union has unsuccessfully been seeking to represent them.
Cable Bahamas filed a civil action in the Supreme Court earlier this year against gas company Rubis seeking damages and compensation for the pollution-enforced closure of its customer service building. In March 2013, Rubis said it was working assiduously with the government to get a gas leak under control in the area where the building is located.
Suggesting that Cable Bahamas has only negotiated sporadically with the union, BCPOU President Bernard Evans accused Cable Bahamas of "disrespecting" workers, denying them a right to be represented by a union of their choice.
"The BCPOU has been extremely patient in this matter, but concluded that unless there is intervention from a third party or parties, the union will have no choice but to exercise its rights under the Industrial Relations Act and call for civil unrest and industrial action against the company," he said.
Placing pressure on the government, Evans said it has made a substantial investment in the company and called on the "government-appointed" directors to ensure Cable Bahamas enters negotiations with the union, "in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act and the order issued by the Supreme Court."
In a statement issued later, Cable Bahamas said it was with "disappointment and surprise" that it learned of the BCPOU's comments. It said it recognized and had been abiding by a Supreme Court ruling in relation to the matter and had sought to negotiate "in good faith over the year".
However, suggesting that the ball is in the union's court, Cable Bahamas claimed that it is still "awaiting a response" from the BCPOU following the last meeting between the two sides in May.
"Truth be told, the most recent discussions with the BCPOU and Cable Bahamas' labor consultants took place on two occasions in May of this year. The union, at the meeting, chose to advise Cable Bahamas that it would continue the discussions but would send its preferred approach in writing. Cable Bahamas is still awaiting communication from the BCPOU as promised," said the company.
In its statement, Cable Bahamas called the incident which affected its customer service building on Robinson Road "an environmental disaster". However, it added that the heath and safety of its employees and customers, in all of its facilities, "has always been a top priority",

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