BTC Unions Air Out Concerns In Meeting With PM

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Unions representing employees at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) met with Prime Minister Philip Davis this morning to address a series of long-standing issues with the company, including poor working conditions, alleged mistreatment, and declining service quality.

Union leaders say they’re demanding a change in leadership at BTC, pointing to deteriorating equipment, unsafe offices, and management practices they describe as “toxic.”

BCPMU President Kendrick Knowles says both the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) and the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) are no longer staying silent.

“We ain’t quiet anymore,” Knowles said. “We have had the ear of the Prime Minister, he has listened to us, and we want them to know it’s not going to be a quiet thing moving ahead.”

Ahead of the meeting, BCPOU President Sherry Benjamin said her members are fed up with what she called poor leadership that has resulted in failing networks, overheating equipment, and uncomfortable workspaces.

“You can’t stay on your phone for long because the calls keep dropping,” she said. “Our equipment is running hot because of poor leadership.”

Both unions say many BTC offices are filled with mold and mildew, with limited air conditioning.

Following the meeting, union leaders described the discussions as productive and expressed confidence that the Prime Minister will intervene.

“A lot of the concerns, the deterioration of the network and the buildings themselves, have been brought to his attention,” Benjamin noted. “He’s committed to speaking with BTC executives to look into the matter.”

Knowles added that the unions left the meeting reassured.

“We feel very comfortable that we have a leader willing to listen and take the matter into hand to have it dealt with,” he said.

The meeting follows recent union demands for the reinstatement of terminated employees and greater accountability from BTC’s executive leadership.