New Category : Disputes

Teachers union in retirees cash row

Fri, Feb 4th 2022, 08:37 AM

THE Bahamas Union of Teachers is accused of not paying hundreds of retirees monies owed them for payment of retirement benefits and payment of their money to the pension trust.

It is believed that some retirees are owed more than $7,000, which includes interest over seven years.

Averell Mortimer and Frances Friend, former area vice presidents of the BUT in Grand Bahama; and Jacob Rolle, former chairman of BUT Central and North Andros district, are claiming more than 400 retired members are owed money from the union.

They accused BUT of allegedly circumventing the authority of the annual general meeting, which they said passed a resolution at its 2008 meeting instructing the union to pay each retiree $1,000.

The union was also reportedly instructed to deduct $8 per month from members’ dues into a pension fund.

Mr Mortimer said they have written letters requesting assistance from the Department of Labour and the Minister of Education to help resolve this long-standing issue that spans some 13 years. He confirmed they have received letters of acknowledgement from both government agencies.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Director of Labour Robert Farquharson said the Department of Labour is of the view that the dispute is an internal matter between members and the union, thus the agency cannot get involved. He stated that the issue would have to be resolved in the court.

When contacted yesterday about the allegations, BUT president Belinda Wilson declined to comment.

In a press statement issued to The Tribune, the disgruntled group alleged some retirees were still paying dues after 40 years of service when the union’s constitution indicates dues would not be deducted after 40 years of service.

“Some members are owed in excess of $7,000,” the group claimed.

According to the statement, after 2019 many members would have contributed more than $1,000.

The former executives stated at the 2015 annual general meeting, the union was instructed to pay the funds collected from members to the BUT Pension Company Ltd, commonly called the Pensions Trust.

The BUT Pension Plan Company Ltd is registered under the Companies Act 1992.

Since 2015, the pension trust reportedly paid five percent interest on deposits. It was claimed that BUT now owes five percent interest compounded for seven years to those retirees owed the $1,000, plus the deduction beyond $1,000 after 2019.

“Some retirees have died and are still owed funds,” the retirees claim. “We are seeking ministerial intervention in this matter.”

Mr Mortimer said he finds it egregious that the union has reportedly asked retirees to accept $500 as a final payment for their pension money.

He claims the union is trying to shortchange retirees.

“This is less than half of what is owed to the retirees,” the statement said.

The former executive also said: “It is our belief that the Ministry of Labour can put an end to these appalling acts against the mandate of its AGM, the Industrial Relations Act, and its membership. It is our hope that some action will be taken to resolve these issues through the powers of the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education.”

Teachers union says 'issues' not resolved

Fri, Jan 28th 2022, 08:29 AM

Shaback defends place on Dubai trip

Wed, Jan 26th 2022, 08:59 AM

Victim's torment in her final days

Tue, Jan 25th 2022, 11:40 AM

Cruise ship sails to Bahamas to avoid fine

Mon, Jan 24th 2022, 08:41 AM

Beaches and Parks to terminate all current contracts

Fri, Dec 17th 2021, 10:26 PM

THE Beaches and Parks Authority will terminate all current contracts after an audit found numerous problems and irregularities.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister Friday, Press Secretary Clint Watson said the contracts will be terminated in a legal manner, meaning contractors who have a valid control will be paid.

However,” Mr Watson said, “they will now be paid in a way that fully complies with all existing laws, regulations and best financial and accounting practice.

“Given that there is no information on file relating to the ‘Know Your Customer’ requirements, every contractor will be required to attend in person at a venue to be announced shortly and provide the basic KYC documentation for the maintenance of proper internal records of the Authority.

“They will have to produce a document or documents to prove their identity (such as a passport, driver’s licence or NIB card), they will have to confirm their bank details, and they will have to be tax and NIB compliant, as the law requires.”

K Christie and Co Chartered Accountants conducted the audit. Auditors noted that the authority consistently received supplemental funding beyond its budget during the last three fiscal years.

“We did not identify the exact need for extra budgetary allocations and there is speculation that it was fueled more by the demand and requests for economic stimulation than by any real needs on the ground,” the report said.

“This operational review revealed a combination of material weaknesses and significant deficiencies that created an environment to facilitate such overruns.

“The material weaknesses stemmed principally from the board’s failure to exercise oversight by meeting regularly and requiring reports that would enable it to monitor the budget versus actual performance of the Authority. Additionally, the procedures within the Accounts and Inspection Department lack checks and balances that can militate against errors, improper behavior, and other risks. Deficiencies were reflected in the Authority’s inability to reduce risks and incorrect information.”

Mr Watson emphasised how the authority's spending skyrocketed above its budget.

He said: “From July 2019 – June 2020, the Authority’s budget for awarding contracts was $19.1 million. However, the Authority actually spent $25.9 million of the Bahamian people’s money on contracts, an overspend of $6.8 million, slightly more than 35% above amounts approved in the budget.

“From July 2020 – June 2021, the Authority’s expenditure skyrocketed. They were granted a budget of $15.2 million, but in fact spent $28.9 million, an overspend of $13.7 million, or an astonishing 90% higher than the budgeted amount.

“Their budget for this year, from July 2021 to June 2022 was $15.2 million. By October 31st, just four months into the financial year, the Authority had already spent $9.3 million. Had they continued spending money on contracts at this rate, they will have spent $27.9 million, an overspend of $12.7 million, amounting to more than 83% above the budgeted allocation.”

Mr Watson added: “Given the three years of massive over-spend on contracts, our New Day Administration commissioned a leading accounting firm to conduct an Audit of the Authority’s finances, particularly in respect of the Authority’s Internal Controls and Operations.

"We received the Auditors’ Report yesterday. Their findings were so jaw-dropping that we decided to immediately release the full report, so that the Bahamian people can see for themselves how their money has been spent by just one single authority during the former administration.”

Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club Co. Ltd publicly thanks Prime Minister “Brave” Davis

Thu, Nov 4th 2021, 04:33 PM

Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club Co. Ltd publicly thanks Prime Minister “Brave” Davis for representing the Bahamas at COP26. We sincerely hope the actions are exemplified and a herculean effort measures up to the commitments expressed. We know the Prime Minister to be a man of his word and fast to act in addressing matters with urgency and the environment will significantly benefit with the Prime Minister’s strong leadership.

We also express gratitude to “Protect Our Islands Fund” for their environmental campaign in opposition to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s proposed Beach Club on Paradise Island. We appreciate them joining us at the front of the battlefield. We have the support of Protect Our Islands Fund, ReEarth,  Save The Bays, The Bahamas National Trust, Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society, Nassau Pilot Boat Association and thankfully the Bahamian people at large.

The former Prime Minister rushed through an alleged deal with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and was subsequently ousted for such malfeasance and his lack of regard for Bahamians complicit in disregarding the matter before the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. All of this, while not listening to his (former) Minister of the Environment referred to the cruise lines as saying “They treat our waters and our country like a toilet.”

Clear wanton disregard demonstrated by cruise lines for the very environment in which they operate and want to exploit. When things go south and the destruction is done they can easily pull anchor and move to another target, leaving Bahamians to live in a mess.

Please also see attached the Cruise Line score card, statistics that the cruise industry would rather keep secret, having even plead guilty to massive environmental destruction.

Some might brag having five megaships docked in Nassau Harbour at the same time, however, very little is spoken by them with regards to their air pollution, discharge of ocean pollutants with such vigor much less the concentration of destroying our beautiful natural environment. It goes beyond this though, as they find new ways to circumvent actually doing what needs to be done. Using our pristine water to “scrub” their smoke stacks: The cruise lines will spin the narrative to say they have reduced their air pollution emissions, meanwhile they are merely gathering air pollution by fouling good water and pumping the pollution out into our ocean and walk away like they’ve done something marvelous. They make grandiose pledges for thirty years in the future, The Bahamas needs action now, not decades in the future when the cruise lines will arrive at blaming everyone else. If cruise lines are not prepared to make substantive changes now, on our terms, for the benefit of all Bahamians, then keep out of our waters until such time as they are prepared to respect our natural environment. Some cruise lines are putting their pledges into action in some regards and we welcome positive contributions of meaningful change.

Bahamians are tired of being trodden on, both by a tyrannical oppressor of yesteryear, who cannot read the billboards of unpopularity. We are also tired of foreign corporations exploiting the natural environment of the Bahamas and the Bahamian people while attempting to convince us this foul pollution is good for us.

They spin numbers trying to convince Bahamians their projects are good with economic numbers however, when the spin is removed, we know that approximately 85% of the revenues is exported before it even touches Bahamian’s pockets. We also know that cruise lines keep their casinos open while at the dock, seek massive incentives and concessions that Bahamians cannot and will not get.  

In the light of protecting the environment Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines are attempting to stampede over the western portion of Paradise Island where we have already been granted a lease. We have filed a Writ in the Supreme Court and made sure both the previous government and RCL have a copy of same, and yet they continue their land grab attempt for Bahamian Crown Land. RCL made the commitment to purchase the Grand Lucayan Hotel in 2019 and made Bahamians foot the bill of tens of millions of dollars for their indecision for years. Believing Bahamians to be gullible and foolish, RCL now want us to believe they will be bringing the solution to The Bahamas’ woes as they wish to squeeze every penny of revenue for their own fat pockets and export it out of the country.

 Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club has pledged from day one to be an all-Bahamian project, one that has to pass the simple litmus test of “Is this best for the Bahamas and is this best for Bahamians” and we have lived up to our commitment.

 RCL wishes to strong arm Bahamians, force pollution down our throats, into our lungs, take revenues out of our country and leave us with the dregs, pollution and trash and somehow spin it in some ludicrous manner to say it’s a good thing for our country.

 The Prime Minister of the Bahamas has publicly declared that any deal done with RCL for Crown Land on Paradise Island will be cancelled. We welcome the wisdom expressed by the Grand Lucayan board of directors that the Heads of Agreement done by the past Prime Minister with RCL does not have their support with a unanimous “cut them loose” position. What also brings hope is this position being pressed further by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper in citing the Grand Lucayan deal “egregiously bad”. We hear our new leadership loud and clear, it is a “New Day” government and one that looks out for Bahamians. This is the perfect opportunity to show the world what Bahamians can achieve on a world stage when afforded the opportunity and we believe this to be the case with this government.

 We look forward to The Government of The Bahamas’ sincere commitment to making changes for the benefit of The Bahamas’ fragile environment and to look out for the best interest of Bahamians. We appreciate this publicly expressed sentiment and look forward to Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club breaking ground in 2021 as a low impact, sustainable project, working in harmony with nature, practicing safe environmental measures and setting an example of corporate responsible business practices for the benefit, not detriment, of our beautiful country. We believe this is a golden opportunity for the Government of The Bahamas to showcase a Bahamian success story and inspire others to keep trying.

 May the light shine on…….

Immigration officers add to disputes

Immigration officers add to disputes

Fri, Sep 10th 2021, 07:00 AM

IMMIGRATION officers staged a sick-out yesterday, citing general poor treatment from executives and the lack of proper promotions in the ranks.

According to Deron Brooks, vice president northern region of Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union, the sick-out severely affected operations at the Immigration Department.

“What happened today was not orchestrated by the union,” Mr Brooks explained. “This is something that the officers did. For the most part the officers called in sick because they are mentally, physically and emotionally fatigued.

“From what we know the officers are frustrated because they are not being treated well. One of their major issues is that they see other law enforcement agencies having promotion exercises but the Immigration Department has been neglected. The last major exercise was in 2015 and before that it was in 2008 so basically those exercises were few and far apart by comparison.

“Shortly after 9am I received a call saying that there were two immigration officers at Lynden Pindling International Airport; two senior officers at Grand Bahama International Airport; two officers at West End; three at Freeport Harbour; three or four officers at headquarters in Freeport; hardly anyone at Hawkins Hill in Nassau; three officers in Bimini and across The Bahamas in general officers just did not show up for duty today.”

He explained the reason for the action.

“Because of the sick-out the government was unable to collect any government funds in the office today in Freeport because the account section was also affected,” he said. “As it stands now several of the latter squads in particular have some issues.

“They are long overdue for confirmations and promotions. For example, when you join the civil service, about 12 months after you are on the job you get an employment confirmation letter. In Customs and Immigration after your second or third year, the most, you transition into the next rank. That has not been happening for those latter squads.

“Officers from Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama that are in the 2014 squad have not even gotten confirmation letters yet. Similarly, officers from 2016 and 2017 have experienced some of the same things.

“The union has attributed this to bad leadership from the director of immigration. While he was not around when some of these squads joined the civil service, the union is of the view that he could have done more to bring resolution and closure to these issues.

'If you can sort out BPL - what about us'

Thu, Sep 9th 2021, 07:00 AM

Unions at odds over deal with PLP

Fri, Aug 27th 2021, 07:20 AM

Unions dangle national strike threat

Fri, Aug 20th 2021, 08:33 AM