Director of Labor Robert Farquharson yesterday "summoned" representatives of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) and the management of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) to the Department of Labour in an attempt to intervene in a stand-off between the two groups.
The meeting came as the union entered its third day of work-to-rule over its industrial agreement, which it claims is being "blocked" by BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller and the BEC board.
Farquharson said as a result of the meeting, the BEWU agreed to end all industrial action and allow the Department of Labour to work on its behalf going forward.
However, BEWU President Paul Maynard said while the union has come to some agreements with the Department of Labour, it still has outstanding issues with Miller.
Maynard said aside from issues regarding the industrial agreement, the union also takes offense to Miller's repeated public pronouncements about the salaries and bonuses that BEC workers receive.
"We expressed our utter disgust at the chairman and his irresponsibility in putting the staff salaries out in the public domain," Maynard said after the meeting wrapped up.
"He's wrong with the stuff he was saying. I expressed to the director of labor that if anything happens to my members, I will hold the government responsible. BEC staff can't wear the uniform anymore for fear that they may get robbed.
"I also informed the director to inform the government that we will not have any dealings with the chairman anymore. We don't want [anything] to do with him. Absolutely nothing."
Underscoring BEC's financial troubles, Miller repeatedly pointed to the average the salaries and bonuses that BEC employees receive. On Wednesday, he told The Guardian that every BEC employee will receive between $1,500 and $3,000 in Christmas bonuses this year.
Farquharson said the Department of Labour has noted all of the union's concerns and is working to bring resolution to the matter.
"The purpose of the meeting was to try and separate the trade dispute that was filed by the union on November 6 claiming that the company was not acting in good faith as it relates to the executive bargaining agreement," Farquharson said.
"As a result of the meeting, a couple of important things happened: One, the union has withdrawn work-to-rule and all operations at BEC have returned to normalcy; secondly, the union has agreed that because the conciliation process has begun their application for a strike vote has been withdrawn and they will allow the Department of Labour to conciliate this matter."
Farquharson said he will submit some recommendations to the minister of labor, who, in turn, will make decisions on the matter.
Farquharson said he was unable to detail his recommendations because of the sensitivity of the matter.
"I can say the union is acting in the best interest in the public," Farquharson said. "They have committed to ensuring that they work with the management of the company."
Their meeting came one day after Miller said his resolve with the union will not bend.
"BEC union has the Bahamian people between a rock and a hard place," Miller said. "We have to stand firm. I believe that if we lose this battle the country is going to lose the war.
"There's a point of saturation where there is just nothing left. In BEC there is nothing left. What is there? You lose $33 million; the local supplier is cutting you off. You can't pay for your fuel. You owe Shell West $130 million. You want more?"
Maynard said despite Miller's firm position, the chairman will sign the document.
On Wednesday, Miller called for the union to renegotiate some of the terms of its contract, but Maynard said as far as he is concerned "negotiations are over".
"He will sign the industrial agreement," Maynard said, referring to Miller. "Or he will wish he did."

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