The vast majority of customs officers stationed at the Arawak Cay port once again refused to work from the old mold-infested building at the eastern end of that location yesterday, fulfilling a promise to stay off the job until alternate accommodations could be finalized, said Winifred Lynden, chief shop steward for officers at Arawak Cay.
Lynden said 18 Customs officers at Arawak Cay refused to work, while seven decided to serve the public.
However, she said only two officers worked out of the contaminated building, while five worked from the mold-free installation on the western end of the cay.
"There were one or two officers who were willing to assist the public because the problem is really with the Department of Customs and not the port," Lynden said. "But I don't think we will be so mindful if the building is not completed [today]."
On Friday, members of the Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) demonstrated at Arawak Cay complaining of headaches, skin irritation and in some cases nosebleeds, as a result of working in the contaminated building. Lynden told The Nassau Guardian at that time that customs officials promised officers would be moved into a temporary facility last month.
However, Lynden explained that officers were again delayed from moving into the new building yesterday because some shipping agents now need to share the facility.
Lynden said alternative accommodations have to be made but said she was unaware why the new arrangement was necessary.
"In order to make appropriate space [we were told] some of the partitions needed to [be] broken down and that held us up from at least moving our supplies into the building," Lynden said.
Comptroller of Customs Glenn Gomez could not be reached up to press time yesterday, but he recently admitted there were delays in completing the new building but it was expected officers would be working in the facility yesterday.
"It has taken us longer than we anticipated...but (officers) are being kept abreast," he said.
When asked if officers would work if the building was not completed today Lynden said "we will not be working and we will not go into the [old] building".
Last week the temporary building had no utilities, including running water. Lynden said the building still does not have telephone lines but does have running water and electricity, and officers appreciate that some progress was made.
While the Department of Customs is responsible for the construction of the temporary building, the Arawak Cay Port Development Company will construct a permanent facility for customs officers later this year.

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