No tropical cyclones as of Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:32:21 GMT

THE National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas says the organisation will remain strong and continue to represent workers in the country after several unions ended their affiliation with umbrella organisation.

During a press conference on Sunday, the president of the Bahamas Union of teachers Belinda Wilson announced the launch of a new trade union congress called the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC).

The union is comprised of six unions and two associations, including the Airport Airline and Allied Workers (AAAWU), Bahamas Financial Services Union (BFSU), Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), Bahamians Public Service Union (BPSU), Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU), Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), Police Staff Association and Correctional Officers Association.

Mrs Wilson will serve as BNATUC president, while Kimsley Ferguson will serve as first vice president.

“Every union you see here was a part of another congress (but) as of today, we are no longer affiliated with any other congress other than the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress,” said Mrs Wilson.

In a statement yesterday, the NCTUB extended well wishes to the newly formed umbrella union.

The body also maintained that its work will continue.

“Acting President (Dwayne) Woods has affirmed that the NCTUB remains strong and will continue to represent workers of The Bahamas,” NCTUB Acting Secretary General, Daniel Thompson said in a statement. “We will remain resolute and work on behalf of our remaining Affiliates, more than ever before. As we begin the celebrations of Labour Day 2022, under the theme ‘Labour Marches on and Remains Strong’, our airwaves were filled with announcement of the formation of a new congress.

“The NCTUB is an organisation built predominantly on volunteerism and mutuality of benefits and shared vision. We therefore wish those Affiliates who have decided to withdraw their support from the NCTUB, God’s speed. We encourage them, in the spirit of comradery, to submit their decision in writing so that we can make the appropriate adjustments on our register.”

This comes just days before the Randol Fawkes Labour Day Parade on Frdiay, where all unions in The Bahamas traditionally come together in a show of solidarity to support workers’ rights.

Mr Thompson added: “In our Labour Day 2022 church service at the Church of God of Prophesy Cathedral, East Street, Bishop Hulan Hanna reminded NCTUB Affiliates present, about the importance of the work of the unions in protecting the rights and improving the working conditions of Bahamian workers throughout our history. He reminded us of our individual responsibility to be accountable for our own actions as referenced in Ezekiel 20. Each person must answer for their own action. The NCTUB matches on and remains strong.”

A BROAD low pressure trough straddling the Northwest and Central Bahamas will linger over the area for the next few days. This trough will eventually lift and move northeastward into the open Atlantic Ocean by Thursday.

Periods of scattered showers and isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are expected during the week.

Heavy downpours, strong gusty winds and frequent lightning activity will accompany severe thunderstorm activity. Prolonged rainfall resulting in localised flooding in low-lying areas is anticipated.

Some improvement in weather conditions is forecast for the extreme Northwest (Bimini, Berry Islands, Grand Bahama, Abaco) and Northwest Bahamas (North Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera) tomorrow and continuing on Thursday.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology is also closely monitoring the possibility of a broad area of showers and thunderstorm, associated with the remnants of Hurricane Agatha presently located of the southeast coast of Mexico. Development of this disturbance is expected near the Yucatan Peninsula and the southwest Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday.

Weather forecast models are indicating that this disturbance could develop into a low pressure system and begin moving toward the northeast Thursday night. This low pressure system is further forecast to deepen and move across Central Cuba on Friday and into the Northwest Bahamas early Saturday morning.

There is a possibility that this could develop into a tropical depression or storm as it approaches The Bahamas.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology will continue to monitor and update the public on any possible development. In any event, residents in the Northwest and Central Bahamas should prepare for intense thunderstorm activity with excessive rainfall beginning on Friday night continuing into Sunday.

The public should note tomorrow begins the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and is therefore advised to continue preparations.

HEALTH officials last night warned the public to be on their guard against a COVID phone scam that tries to extort money from families.

In a statement the Ministry of Health & Wellness said: “Persons have been receiving WhatsApp calls from the telephone number (1-450-232-2565) where the caller is claiming to represent the Ministry and offering money in exchange for personal information.

“The public is advised that the number does not belong to the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Ministry does not offer money for information. This is a scam and members of the public should not provide any of their details to the caller.

“The public is reminded to be cautious when answering calls, emails or text messages and releasing personal and financial information to strangers.”

The public is advised to check for information updates on the Ministry’s website, www.bahamas.gov.bs/health, Facebook – MOHBahamas, Instagram – mohwbahamas or twitter at mohw242.