John Pinder

BAHAMAS Public Services Union President John Pinder threatened industrial action yesterday if the government does not immediately relocate employees from the “unsanitary” General Post Office on East Hill Street.

Mr. Pinder told The Tribune that the union is “currently working on a strategy” to force the government’s hand and the first step is to participate in a protest on November 25, known as ‘Black Friday’ in the United States.

In September, the main post office was closed due to flooding and other hazardous conditions. Mr. Pinder also claimed workers are becoming sick because of the “mould and rat infestation.” He said it is a disgrace that the government moved all other agencies out of the “condemned” building, but has yet to relocate the post office staff.

“We understand that the government signed a $4 million deal with a construction company that will be doing minor renovation to the floors and walls and stuff so the staff can stay in the building, but that is unacceptable,” Mr. Pinder said. “We are not satisfied with that. It’s like putting a Band Aid on a large open wound. So we are putting a strategy in place to force their hand. We are working on something; we will take industrial action if we have to. What they are doing makes no sense.

“The original plan was to move the workers into the post office and that would have been great. It was the perfect site. We are not staying in that building, the working conditions are poor and the people are getting sick.”

Mr. Pinder said the union is participating in a silent protest, titled “We March” on Friday, November 25. He is encouraging all government workers to attend and “let their voices be heard.”

“The march isn’t just about the post office, it is also about the government giving away our land to foreigners as well,” Mr. Pinder said. “There is a plan of action being discussed to determine when we are going to make our move and the first part of that strategy is planned for Black Friday. After that march, we will put our plan into full gear.

“We are encouraging all the members of the union and the workers of the country to come and fight for what is ours. We cannot let the government keep bringing people in here to work when Bahamians are out of work. We need to let our voices be heard. The march will demonstrate to the government our dissatisfaction.”

In May, Labour Minister Shane Gibson told this newspaper that the government was in the process of acquiring the Independence Drive Shopping Centre as the new location for the General Post Office.

Sancheska Dorsett, Tribune Staff Reporter

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