“Relationship Between Both Governments Are Night And Day”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – With labour day just weeks away, one union leader says this administration has been a standout when it comes to supporting workers.

Daniel Thompson – President of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas

“A nyone who knows Daniel Thompson knows his personal political position. I don’t like that. I’m very vivid about that. But when I sit here as a union president, I cut a spade. I call it a spade as it is.”

UTEB President Daniel Thompson is not holding back on his candid comments, delivering sharp criticism of past and present administrations for what he believes is their mishandling of the members he represents.

And as union leaders take stock of their options, Thompson says the verdict is clear.

Daniel Thompson – President of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas

“ When we were seeking recognition for BTVI it took almost a year notwithstanding me calling the minister of labor. It took almost a year to hear from them right before we got the recognition. Um, and i was under the former administration.”

Thompson says the pace and tone of negotiations has shifted significantly, especially as new unions form and agreements are signed more efficiently than in years past.

Daniel Thompson – President of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas

“ Under this administration, we saw recognition for, the University of the West Indies school of clinical medicine and research UWI at the Princess Margaret Hospital location. We wrote to them, our letters was in, in December, around about December and since then, we got response within about two months.”

Thompson says there’s still more work to be done, especially for underpaid security guards and unregulated small firms.

Daniel Thompson – President of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas

“ Men who are walking around with $240 every week because they only wait two or three days doing security. We have thousands of small security firms that have marginalized security workers in this country. That is another area where we must address. And so yes, I think the governor’s done well, but we must now move to another area in trade unionism that I, I am advocating of financial empowerment.”

He’s also calling for a workers’ bank, funded by unions to boost financial empowerment through loans, housing, and entrepreneurship.

Daniel Thompson – President of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas

“ We need our own banks. That workers. I know, um, brother BAIA and many years ago had established the workers bank and there were effort to do it well. Their needs now to be greater effort to establish workers bank to provide financial support and where we can harness that wealth of Bahamian workers in the country.”