The Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister of Labour & National Insurance is profoundly saddened by the death of Mr. Percy Sweeting, President of the Bahamas Musicians Entertainers Union on Monday July 11, 2016. President Sweeting became a member of the Union in 1976 and was first elected to the Executive Board of the organization in 1979. He served in numerous positions in the Union including Treasurer and Vice President and was elected to the position of President in 1999, a position he held up to the time of his death.
A student of the late Edwin Elliot, Clement Bethel and William Tizard, Percy entered the music industry in 1975 while serving in a group called Holiday Express. Percy and his colleagues performed initially at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Paradise Island and later moved to the Atlantis Resort & Casino where they performed for residents and guests for over thirty years. In addition to his national exposure, Percy was privileged to perform in many cities in North and South America including Atlantic City, New York, Orlando, Chicago, Mexico and Brazil.
As a member of the National Congress of Trade Unions, Mr. Sweeting and members of the Bahamas Musicians Entertainers Union played a pivotal role in maintaining industrial harmony in the Bahamas particularly in the tourism and hospitality industry. His quest to ensure that Bahamians musicians and entertainers were afforded the opportunity to work and perform in hotels and nightclubs was matched only by his desire to move his union to higher heights. Percy was instrumental in the overseeing of the refurbishment of the Leroy “Duke” Hanna building and was present at the many events that were held there by affiliates of the NCTUB during labour Week celebrations.
Considered as a role model by hundreds of musicians, entertainers and Bahamian trade union leaders, Percy was well respected. His wisdom and knowledge regarding union rights for all Bahamian workers were sought after by many in the industry.
On behalf of my family, the staff of the Ministry of Labour & National Insurance and the People of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family of Brother Percy Sweeting. I also extend my condolences to the Executive Officers of the Bahamas Musicians Entertainers Union, the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas and the wider Bahamian Trade Union Movement. I pray that the Almighty God keep each of you strong until your storm passes by.
May his soul rest in peace.
Hon. D. Shane Gibson
Minister of Labour & National Insurance
& Minister for the Public Service
Source: Bahamas Information Services
