Executives of Bahamasair Holdings, Ltd. and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, District Lodge 142 on November 4, signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement during a brief ceremony at Bahamasair Head Office, Coral Harbour Road.

The three-year contract became effective January 1, 2015 and covers approximately 40 Florida-based employees of Bahamasair.

Among others, the agreement provides for the safety of air transportation, the efficiency of operations, the continuation of employment under conditions of reasonable hours, proper compensation and reasonable working conditions.

As part of the agreement, all IAM members hired on or before the date of signing of the agreement will receive the following:

a.    January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015 - all U. S. based employees will receive a lump sum payment (not added to salary) as follows: Customer Service Agents - $550, Maintenance Technicians - $550, Certifying Technicians -$650 and Line Maintenance/Customer Service Supervisors -$750 with payments to be received with two pay cycles following the date of signing.

b.    January 1, 2016 -December 31, 2016 - effective January 1, 2016, all U.S. based employees will receive an increase to their wage rates as follows: Customer Service Agents -$550, Maintenance Technicians -$550, Certifying Technicians - $650 and Line Maintenance/Customer Service Supervisors-$750.

c.    January 1, 2018 -December 31, 2018 - effective on January 1, 2016 all U.S. based employees will receive an increase to their wage rates as follows: Customer Service Agents-$550, Maintenance Technicians - $550, Certifying Technicians-$650 and Line Maintenance/Customer Service Supervisors -$750.

Chairman of the Board of Bahamasair Valentine Grimes extended congratulations to both parties for an “amicable” conclusion.

He said Bahamasair Holdings looks forward to working with the IAM team in the future.

General Chairperson, IAM District Lodge 142, James Samuel expressed gratitude and noted that he has observed “great” things from the airline. “I think some of the recent changes are very positive and it looks like it’s going to have a great future. Keep moving in that direction.”

Selvin Basden, Director Human Resources; Henry Wood, Managing Director; Valentine Grimes, Chairman of the Board, Bahamasair; James M. Samuel, General Chairperson, IAM District Lodge 142; and Cornell Mortimer. Also present but not pictured were Keith Archer, Labour Consultant, and John Fowler, Chief Customer Service Officer.
Article: Kathryn Campbell/ BIS