BPSU Threatens Airport Shutdown

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Disruptions at various ports of entry may be on the horizon as outraged employees at airports across the country are giving the government until the end of the week to give them an answer to their list of concerns.

The threat coming in a union meeting Monday evening as peeved BPSU members say they’re tired of being overlooked.

Berthony McDermott reports.

The threat coming in a union meeting Monday evening, as Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) members say they’re tired of being overlooked.

Berthony McDermott reports.

The BPSU threatening to withdraw its services as early as this week over some outstanding issues.

According to union president Kimsley Ferguson, members are outraged over an outstanding industrial agreement and monies owed that they say has yet to be paid.

They say they’re done waiting, after being at an impasse for years.

According to Ferguson, Prime Minister Philip Davis informed him that $800,000 was approved by cabinet and forwarded to the Airport Authority for Family Island salary adjustments. However, Ferguson alleges it wasn’t paid out.

He also claims the financial secretary informed him that $10 million to address concerns in the industrial agreement was approved and sent to the authority.

But the union chief says his members have yet to get the funds.

When contacted, Airport Authority Chairman Paul Bevans declined to comment.

The BPSU president says these issues are impacting Family Island employees, security officers, security screeners, firefighters, and administrative staff.

Speaking to a union meeting Monday evening, members told Our News they’ve had enough.