PUBLIC Service and National Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle suggested yesterday that it's not unusual to see industrial unrest in the public sector when a general election approaches, saying "unions do what unions do" and "perhaps react based on the times".

His comments came after services at public hospitals and several Family Island airports were affected Monday after members of the Bahamas Public Services Union refused to show up to work in protest at unresolved workplace grievances.

Monday’s industrial action prompted the closure of airports on Abaco, Bimini, Cat Island, South Andros and San Salvador and also caused the suspension of services at Princess Margaret Hospital’s morgue.

Responding to union unrest yesterday, Mr Rolle, who also was a former unionist, said: “Unions do what unions do.”

“They, perhaps, react based on the times. I was active in the unions and so I know what the unions do. I have a good relationship with the public service union and other unions and what I tried to do is work with them to make sure their working conditions are satisfactory.

“I said to them from last year that I could not speak specifically on monies but my duty was to make sure the environment in which they work is safe and they’re comfortable and that’s what they sought to do.”

Last week, BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson, who represents some employees at the hospital as well as airport staff, warned there could be major disruption in hospital and airport services if workers’ longstanding concerns are not immediately resolved.

The union is calling for hazard pay; salary increases and uniform allowances among other things as part of its industrial agreement terms, which they are still waiting to finalise.

Speaking on the issue of workplace benefits, Mr Rolle told reporters: “If they were in the public service, they would have received an increment every year until they reach a service bar and if they’re outside of the public service, then I can’t speak to them.”

Click here to read more at The Tribune