BPSU Protest: UB Workers Demand 7 Years of Back Pay

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A group of workers from the University of The Bahamas taking a stand outside Parliament Wednesday morning, expressing concerns over long-standing issues affecting their lives.

Union leaders say these matters have gone unaddressed for years.

President of the Bahamas Public Services Union Kimsley Ferguson explains:

Kimsley Ferguson – President, Bahamas Public Services Union

“Salary review merit pay and we have not gotten to the table after presenting our proposed industrial agreement to the University of The Bahamas, and the additional unresolved grievances that we would’ve had we have been advised until the salary review is completed.”

“We would be unable to get to the table and so we’re saying this morning we wish to get to the table, we understand that the bell is going to ring shortly. We want to make certain that whatever funding is left available that the people that we represent can be captured in that funding and receive. We’re not begging, we’re demanding what has been agreed to on behalf of the people that we represent.”

Ferguson tells us that over 300 staff members are affected, ranging from administrative to maintenance workers.

The union is also calling for the resignation of University of The Bahamas President Dr. Robert Blayne and Chairman Allison Maynard, describing the ongoing issues as unacceptable and unheard of within a national institution.

They argue that despite repeated efforts to resolve these concerns, little to no progress has been made, leaving workers feeling overlooked and undervalued.

Now, with frustration mounting among university staff, Wednesday’s protest is seen as a call for urgent action – one that workers say can no longer be ignored.

Administrative Assistant Latoya Johnson says despite multiple attempts to get answers, she’s been left without response, alleging that repeated emails to human resources have gone unanswered.

Latoya Johnson – Administrative Assistant, University of The Bahamas

“A lot of us have not gotten our merit pays, I’ve sent emails to human resources, no response at all. I’ve went into the office no response at all, and it’s high time that the university acknowledges all of its staff members, that we are well needed, therefore you should go ahead and engage in the agreements as BPSU indicated.”

At the heart of it all, protestors say the bottom line is simple – they need their money – insisting that they have carried out their duties and now want to be compensated, also noting the cost of living rising.

Worker –

“Like we don’t matter, it’s us that got the backbone of the institution from the College of The Bahamas, from then to now we turn university and they don’t even acknowledge us, as common as getting a little bit of money, that’s not even a lot of money to talk about compared to what they been spending daily. Honestly it has us really frustrated, we need some kind of relief especially in this kind of time.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson says he did get the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Philip Davis, who indicated that he will look into the matter, and is expected to follow up in a meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Up until news time, there have been no further updates, but we will continue to follow this story closely.