Leaders of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) and the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) got into a heated exchange with Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller at the corporation's headquarters yesterday.
More than 60 union members, led by BEWU President Paul Maynard, held a lunchtime demonstration over the union's industrial agreement, which it claims is being "blocked" by Miller and the BEC board.
Miller has denied the accusation.
He has also said the board has several concerns about the contract, including union demands regarding lump sum payments and rostering.
BHCAWU President Nicole Martin and Vice President Darron Woods stood among union members at BEC's Baillou Hill Road building.
During the demonstration, Maynard announced that his members are on work to rule and refuse to work overtime.
The crowd became frenzied when Miller pulled into the corporation's parking lot.
As he exited his car, demonstrators swarmed him.
One employee shouted, "You are making more money than me and you refuse to pay your light bill.
"How do you expect for me to pay mine with what you are doing? You should be ashamed of yourself."
The Nassau Guardian revealed in June that Miller and his family-owned business owed the corporation nearly a quarter of a million dollars. They made a $100,000 cash payment after the revelation.
While being interviewed yesterday, Miller paused several times to respond to employees' rants.
"Your light is on, but everyone else was off," a BEC worker shouted.
Miller shouted back, "My light? My light was off all night, okay."
He was referring to a power cut on Monday night that lasted into yesterday.
As Martin got ahead of the crowd, Miller turned and asked whether she planned to "give him hell too".
Martin said, "Of course. I'm giving you hell all day, every day for these people."
Miller shot back, "For what? Your hotel workers got laid off the other day - [190]. What are you doing about that?"
Martin told Miller the matter involving the former Wyndham Nassau Resort workers is in the government's hands, but he must address the issues regarding BEC and its employees.
"Let's deal with your issues and try to get them solved because these are the people who were here before you and will continue to be here," said Martin, as the employees' shouting intensified.
Martin added, "We have done everything, Leslie. Throw a blow for the Bahamian workers."
Miller said he has been fighting for Bahamians all of his life.
"Who speaks for you more than me? Look at my record in Parliament. Who speaks for the small man?" asked Miller several times.
Amid calls for Miller to come to terms over the contract, he asked whether it is appropriate to do that through the press.
Miller was asked about the union's threat of industrial action and its plans to discontinue overtime.
He said BEC is prepared to take steps to ensure its service is not impacted by the union's actions.
As it relates to the contract, Miller said the board has not fully reviewed it, and as a result, has not voted on it.
"In due course it will be discussed," he said.
When pressed for a timeline, Miller repeated it will be discussed in "due course".
In a separate interview, Maynard said the union has not had a salary increase in six years.
He said the union has not requested a salary increase in the contract it ratified earlier this month.
"We understand exactly what predicament BEC is in," Maynard said.
"We understand the predicament the country is in. We are not monsters. We are responsible.
"We have not asked for anything. All we have asked for is to keep the benefits we have. That is all we did."
Maynard said after months of negotiations with the prime minister, deputy prime minister, minister of labor and other government negotiators "there are no do-overs".
He said the union is being reasonable, having compromised over rostering and contributions to the workers' pension fund.
He also said the lump sum payment for employees in the contract is more than fair.
"Seeing that Miller has a problem with us working the overtime, then we won't work the overtime," Maynard said.
"We will just stop. We are on work to rule."
Maynard added that the union has requested a strike vote from the Department of Labour and it will follow it through if necessary.

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