Widespread power outages were averted Wednesday following a successful meeting between Bahamas Electrical Utilities Managerial Union (BEUMU) executives and Works and Urban Development Minister Phillip ‘Brave’ Davis.
Union workers threatened to disconnect electricity services after Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) executives suspended its president Monday morning.
However, following an emergency meeting Mr. Dean was reinstated.
It is alleged that BEC heads decided to suspend the union president after he constantly agitated on behalf of another union member who was fired from the corporation.
Hours after Mr. Dean was suspended, the BEUMU and its junior union, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, convened a news conference and threatened to disrupt electrical supplies islandwide if Mr. Dean’s suspension was not revoked.
In response to the union’s threats, BEUMU Vice President Clinton Minnis said Minister Davis stepped forward to immediately address the union’s concerns.
“We met with Minister Davis and we explained to him that due process was not followed and I believe that was sufficient to convince him that Mr. Dean should not have been suspended. After the meeting last night I was informed that Mr. Davis sent orders for Mr. Dean’s suspension letter to be set aside and that Mr. Dean would return to work this morning and he did,” Mr. Minnis said.
Mr. Minnis applauded the government for its intervention.
He said he is grateful that Minister Davis realised the corporation’s egregious disciplinary action against Mr. Dean.
“We are grateful for the minister’s wisdom for sending this message to management on our behalf. I think our membership and the line staff members are very elated. This government, in a nutshell, came to power on being pro labour. While the decision concerning Mr. Dean was a speedy one, there should not be a perception that the decision was made just because it was a labour issue but because the process was discovered as being flawed,” Mr. Minnis said.
Mr. Minnis said the unity and persistence of the union spoke volumes.
“If you have facts and you are defending people of integrity you have no reason to be ashamed or defend yourself. The unity displayed by both unions showed that we are one. It is important that we be our brother’s keeper – not only looking out for ourselves, but also ensuring that the best interest of the corporation is maintained as well. We do not want the precedent to be set in this organisation that people are subject to fear that is not necessary. We are happy that the right message has been sent to BEC executives,” he said.
