Claiming that several Bahamian employees of the Grand Bahama Shipyard have been let go from the company without explanation, workers in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Port Authority Worker’s Union, yesterday expressed concerns of the fear, uncertainty and job insecurity they are dealing with at the company on a regular basis, allegedly with management.
Union president Mervin Wright spoke to the media on behalf of the employees regarding the issues on Wednesday, November 30 during a press conference at the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s entrance.
Wright shared that the press conference was being held to express the concerns over what he termed was the “unfair dismal” of at least 15 of the employees of the shipyard without any explanation. He said that just fewer than 200 Bahamians are employed at the Shipyard.
“The overall industrial relationship between management and the union is at an all time low. The morale of the hardworking, decent, industrious employees of the Shipyard is lower than whale waste and that is at the bottom of the ocean,” he maintained.
Wright alleged that the employees are practically, “walking on eggshells,” and that the Grand Bahama Shipyard is heading for a “shipwreck the proportion of the Titanic” under the management of CEO and vice president.
Steve Jervis was recently appointed CEO of the Shipyard, with Ian Ross as the vice president.
Wright claimed that he along with other members of the union tried to communicate with Jervis with very little success.
“Steve is a very condescending guy, you can’t talk to Steve,” he alleged.
Wright continued that during his 12 years as president of the union he has always believed in negotiating rather than going to the press; however, he maintained that he has made no progress with Jervis.
“Steve Jervis is the type of guy who said to me and to my vice president Dave Barr, go to your little begging government,” he claimed.
Wright said that he is insulted and concerned about this attitude towards the Bahamian government.
“I’m not referring about FNM or PLP or whoever it is. You are a guest worker in this country and I don’t have an appreciation for that kind of thing,” he said. “This is an urgent call to action to the Prime Minister (Perry Christie) and the Government of the Bahamas. The Department of Labor, the Immigration Department, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, all of whom are major stakeholders in the regulation of the Grand Bahama Shipyard,” he said.
Wright stated that they should all take a closer look at Jervis and Ross.
A group of Grand Bahama Shipyard employees stood together in solidarity during a press conference with Grand Bahama Port Authority Workers Union president Mervin Wright (left) and Dave Barr (right), vice president following the unfair dismissal of their fellow workers. (Photo Jenneva Russell)
“Whatever vetting that has been done in reference to them needs to be done again,” he said.
According to Wright there needs to be some more investigations into their backgrounds.
Wright expressed that the Union along with the Bahamian employees of the Shipyard have worked too hard towards having equal rights, justice, mutual respect and fair play in the Shipyard.
Wright claimed that Jervis and Ross also abuse their positions of authority with regards to Human Resources. He alleged that the Collective Industrial Agreement signed between the GBPA Worker’s Union and the Grand Bahama Shipyard is being ignored by management. He explained that the agreement guides the process by which any grievance, discipline, dismissals, or severance proceed.
Wright claimed that Jervis does not care about an agreement that was signed prior to his arrival.
According to Wright he was assured that there would be a meeting by the representatives of the company last week Wednesday (November 23) and that meeting never happened.
This Freeport News made several attempts to speak to Jervis and Ross immediately after the press conference, but was told that all calls to the Shipyard’s office were re-routed to the entrance gate. Later this daily reached via several calls to Ross’ mobile to obtain some comments regarding this matter, but was hung up on twice. This daily also reached out to Jervis, who was unable to respond at the time.
The Freeport News also reached out to Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville for comments on this matter. Darville told this daily that he appreciates that Wright wants to reach out to the ministry. He said that his main concern is the due process surrounding the circumstances of these terminations.
“It opens up concerns for me and I would definitely be prepared to meet with Mr. Wright and hear his concerns. While at the same time I’m certain that Mr. Wright must notify the Labor Department so that the various investigations can take place to substantiate due cause for termination,” he said.
According to Darville, as far as he is concerned, the ministry has a good working relationship with the Grand Bahama Shipyard – with an apprenticeship program that was established earlier this year under the new management where young Bahamians are trained as young support staff in areas of rigging, blasting, painting, and scaffolding.
This program is supposed to help to ensure that Bahamian youth have more job opportunities in the future.
“As far as this termination issue is concerned, I will definitely have to investigate it to ensure that it was done in order and decency, and I would have to ensure with the Ministry of Labor as well as a direct communication with Mr. Wright to find out the details of these accusations,” he said.
Darville furthered that as a result of such concern this is the reason the Department of Labor was put in place. This daily also contacted the Department of Labor on Grand Bahama, and spoke to Harrison Sands, Labor Inspector. However, he stated that he could not comment on the matter.
By Abria Cooper
Source: Freeport News
