More than 100 customs and immigration officers protested again outside the arrivals terminal at Lynden Pindling International (LPIA) Airport yesterday, pressing their demands for the government to resolve outstanding labor issues.
The officers, who are members of the Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU), have been protesting since last week Thursday.
Yesterday was the second time the union demonstrated outside LPIA in a week.
As previously reported, an agreement has yet to be reached on a new industrial agreement. Outstanding issues include health insurance, compensation and what the union has claimed is an illegal shift system.
Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said yesterday the demonstrations have not damaged the tourism product as most visitors understand "the picketing that we see going on is something that is the function of a democratic country, and that is very much who we are".
The minister said, "We have gotten a number of compliments from visitors, some of whom are saying that they have come through before and they have never seen it as pleasant, and as easy as has been happening now.
"We were very concerned when we thought there would be chaos because we had some of the biggest arrival days ever over the Easter period, but to find that not only were people not complaining, but complimenting what they experienced was something that was extraordinary."
Vanderpool-Wallace commended Defence Force officers who are managing the immigration process at the airport.
But BCIAWU officials have repeatedly claimed that the country's security could be at risk because 'non-qualified' Defence Force officers were manning the system.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette refuted the union's claims on Tuesday and said they were "wild allegations".
"No disrespect to the deputy prime minister but it's actually laughable," said BCIAWU Vice President Sloane Smith at LPIA yesterday.
"You look at these people with...years of experience in the discipline of customs and immigration and you move them from the scene and you put persons who may have a week's worth of experience [in place]. I don't really think his comments deserve a response further than that."
Union officials said yesterday the protests and strike will continue until the outstanding issues are resolved.

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