Sick-Out Impacting Airports Across the Country

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A sickout impacting operations at more than 17 airports in The Bahamas is being called illegal industrial action, according to labour officials.

The sickout forcing officials to put a contingency plan in place, as the labour minister is calling for more than 100 employees to come back to work.

Berthony McDermott reports.

The issue quickly intensifying as LPIA saw long lines at the international departure section. The actions of those union members giving the government no other choice but to call for backup. Despite this unrest, government is standing firm.

Hundreds of airport employees across The Bahamas staging a sickout Monday morning, impacting operations at Lynden Pindling International Airport and 17 airports in the Family Islands.

The sickout involves Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) members and stems from several issues, including an outstanding industrial agreement and money they say they are owed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Aviation Chester Cooper says a contingency plan has been put in place which calls for the assistance of both police, defence force officers, COVID-19 Unit officers and police recruits if needed.

Cooper explaining the unrest could not come at a worse time.

When Our News team arrived at LPIA, lines were growing, but Cooper saying there was minimal impact at the time.

However, videos circulating on social media showed otherwise.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Keith Bell calling the union’s action illegal as a strike certificate issued in 2020 was referred to the industrial tribunal, making the certificate ineffective.

Labour Director Robert Farquarsaon says 90% of the 200 employees in New Providence didn’t show up to work along with 107 employees in the Family Islands.

Bell says this could result in charges.

Now Bell says the plan isn’t to go down that road. As for the outstanding industrial agreement, the deputy prime minister says the Davis administration has been working to get the agreement completed.