National

Minister Slams Union Over BPSU Protest

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Unnecessary and disrespectful is how the public service minister is describing BPSU’s approach to the acting prime minister.

Published

1 year ago

December 9, 2022

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Unnecessary and disrespectful is how the public service minister is describing the BPSU’s approach to the acting prime minister this week. But the BPSU president is hitting back saying even after the demonstration, the union has received nothing.

Days after peeved members of the Bahamas Public Services Union took their concerns to the streets, Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell is speaking out on the issue. Mitchell is calling some of the union’s actions hostile.

On Wednesday, unionists said the approach was the only way to get a proper response from the government as multiple letters and emails had gone unanswered.

Today, Ferguson hit back to that claim with this.

The union decried what they’re calling stalled negotiations with government as they seek to meet to sign its industrial agreement. Additionally, Union President Kimsley Ferguson also decried salary increases for multiple senior public servants.

Despite the demonstration, Mitchell maintains the delay in signing the industrial agreements wasn’t the government’s fault.

Since the demonstration Wednesday, Ferguson said the union met with the Ministry of Labour, looking to get those finished documents. But, he says they are still empty-handed.

He says members are fed up, adding that the membership will decide the next steps.