Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans said yesterday the union has reached an impasse with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) over aspects of its new industrial agreement.

Evans called BTC’s final proposal a “slap in the face”.

The union’s previous agreement expired in April 2014. The new agreement would cover a three-year period. According to Evans, BCPOU members unanimously rejected BTC’s final proposal during a meeting last week.

“The next step from a procedural standpoint is to write the Ministry of Labour and management of BTC to let them know we are at an impasse,” Evans said.

“The Ministry of Labour will get involved to try and remediate, to see whether or not there can be movement between the two [sides].

“Failing that, we will have to seek a strike vote.

“The members are pretty much ready to do whatever to ensure they get a fair deal.”

Evans said the union proposed a base salary increase, beyond a performance-based increase, to reflect the increased cost of living. The union proposed a five percent increase per year over the lifespan of the contract. In its final proposal dated June 9, BTC offered employees a lump sum of $2,700 or $900 per year.

“To suggest $900 for each year in the contract is really a slap in the face,” Evans said.

“...The government’s contracts for ZNS, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), Water and Sewerage and Bahamasair far exceed, in terms of value, what BTC is offering us now.”

BTC also proposed a six-day working week.

Employees would be provided with a lump sum equivalent up to four times their annual increment with a total cap of $5,760. There would be a premium of $150 for working on a Sunday. This is intended to cut down on overtime, according to Evans. He said while the union understands the desire to cut overtime, management needs to put more money behind the new schedule.

“We are going to give up a lot in terms of our way of life, having enjoyed a way of life for so long,” Evans said.

“They are asking us now to change it, and so, it should come with significant recognition and value.”

Evans said with redundancies looming over employees and the new agreement outstanding, tensions are high and morale is low. He said the union wanted to sign off on an agreement sooner to potentially provide any additional benefits agreed upon to employees made redundant. BTC is engaged in a redundancy exercise as it prepares for competition in the cellular services market. The downsizing follows a “failed” voluntary separation package drive.

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