Men at Center of BPL Overtime Controversy Speak Out

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Kyle Wilson – President, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

“Electrical Workers Union was informed yesterday that they intend to bring action against a shop steward, Mr. Wellington Porter. We met with the CEO today, and she issued a letter of suspension to him for what they call gross misconduct. But there were no details concerning it as to why, and they claim to be some investigation.”

The suspension comes as BPL’s overtime spending faces increased public scrutiny, with the government moving to tighten controls after its annual overtime bill approached 20 million dollars.

The controversy intensified after a report revealed three employees in BPL’s Fuel and Performance Department collectively received more than 600 thousand dollars in overtime over a 12-month period.

Those employees have since been identified as President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union Kyle Wilson, Shop Steward Wellington Porter, and Manager for Fuel and Special Projects Melvin Babb.

Wilson is not disputing that overtime was worked, but says the public should be given the full picture.

He argues those hours had to pass through BPL’s approval process and says if employee pay is going to be subjected to public scrutiny, the same standard should apply across the company.

Kyle Wilson – President, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

“It looks sexy to see my stuff when they trump it up and fluff it up and make it look good in there right now. I wanna see who get all right, so don’t stop at me. Don’t stop by Mr. Porter. Don’t stop Mr. Babb. Everybody time now and everybody salary to the public.”

Adding to the scrutiny, one overtime record reportedly shows an employee claiming 18 hours on Christmas Day, followed by 24 hours on each of the next three days, a total of 90 hours across four consecutive days.

Porter, who works in BPL’s fuel operations, is defending those extended hours.

Wellington Porter – Shop Steward, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

“During that time we was dealing with the coastal tankers, the farmland tankers that take the fuel to our station in the farmland. So we had to work the farmland tankers, the ocean tanker, and also we had to work by transferring fuel. So these things take days to complete.”

The union maintains employees cannot authorize or pay themselves for overtime and is now calling for independent auditors to take a closer look at BPL’s operations, including the overtime approval process.

Kyle Wilson – President, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

“Show us the report and then they show me the money. Show us the report and show us the salary of all of his leaders and BPL.”