Statement by Senator The Hon. Dion A. Foulkes Minister of Labour and Social Development 13th April, 2012

Pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Industrial Relation Act I have referred the Trade Industrial disputes which respect to the Customs and Immigration Union and The Commonwealth Electrical Workers Union (CEWU) (Grand Bahama Power Company) to the Industrial Tribunal.

According to law, this now ends the strike by Customs and Immigration Officers and defers the CEWU strike certificate effective today, 13th April, 2012.

All Customs and Immigration Officers must now return to regular employment duties.

The Industrial Tribunal will now hear both sides of the disputes and make a final determination. My decision to refer these disputes to the Industrial Tribunal was based on the public interest.