National

Grand Bahama Feels Impact Of Massive Union Strike

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – The Trade Union Congress took industrial action on Monday, withdrawing labor across multiple government agencies impacting services in Grand Bahama.

Published

14 hours ago

January 13, 2025

Italia Hall

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – The Trade Union Congress took industrial action on Monday, withdrawing labor across multiple government agencies.

This move appears to have impacted both health and education services on Grand Bahama.

According to the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), protocols have been activated to ensure patient safety and well-being during the ongoing industrial action.

The PHA also confirmed that Grand Bahama Health Services would be affected.

While all community clinics remained open, the Pearce Plaza Clinic on Coral Road was closed when Our News visited, staff there advised that people could make appointments, but no services were being rendered at the time.

Over at the Rand Memorial Hospital, things appeared noticeably quiet. When we requested an interview with the hospital administrator Tevard Bastian to get an update on operations there, we were told that he was in a meeting.

We understand several doctors and nurses did not report to work on Monday.

Nurses Union President on Grand Bahama Murial Lightbourne, directed inquiries to Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson as the Nurses Union falls under the TUC umbrella.

Despite some not showing up for work today, not all patients experienced delays. Two Grand Bahama residents told Our News their hospital visits went smoothly.

As for Reverend Basset he says that he heard bits and pieces on the news, but however ‘they have to do what they have to do’ he remarked.

“I think its high time that all of us, all the people who are playing they part in the government in the union, I think its high time we trust God and we turn everything over to him,” Rev. Basset said. “

It’s one thing to trust the amor of flesh at time but we need to look to the Lord.”

As for education, we understand several teachers who are members of the Bahamas Educators, Counsellors and Allied Workers Union which also falls under the TUC, called in sick.

BECAWU President Sandra Major confirmed some teachers followed protocol and are out sick, but emphasized they are not participating in a strike.

She also directed us to TUC President Obie Ferguson for a comment, who expressed dissatisfaction with progress on multiple labor issues.