Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) President Kimsley Ferguson is demanding the full lump sum payment for public officers to assist with back-to-school expenses.
During a meeting at BPSU headquarters on Monday evening, Ferguson explained that he wasn’t going to make any moves until he spoke to Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis about the matter during a meeting on Tuesday.
However, after receiving a number of calls, he felt it was best to at least inform union members about a scheduled meeting with the prime minister.
When asked if he didn’t get a response from Dr. Minnis on the matter, he stated they’ll have no choice but to take a position in order to get a response. However, Mr. Ferguson is choosing to be patient.
“I said to the prime minister that I will wait. If I’m the shepherd of this particular flock, we’re going to wait until we get a response from the prime minister,” Mr. Ferguson said.
“I believe that the prime minister is an honourable gentleman and I believe that a response from him on Tuesday will be forthcoming.”
In a statement earlier this week, the Ministry of Finance clarified the negotiation with BPSU and expressed that there was a previous meeting with the union to discuss the government’s ability to finance a payment to public officers for back to school preparations.
“The government sought to negotiate a good faith resolution which would be presented to Cabinet for approval. The union proposed a lump sum payment of $1,200 for the benefit of public officers. The total value of payments was estimated by the government at approximately $20 million,” the statement read.
“Considering the government’s cash flow needs, the Ministry of Finance offered to recommend to Cabinet, splitting the payment into two lump sums of $600 each, in August and December, 2019. The union refused to consider the offer, indicating $1,200 was already a concession. The BPSU was advised that due to the scale of the funding requirements, meeting an end of month demand would be a challenge in all instances.”
The president expressed that the union will get a good deal concerning the industrial agreement.
“We’re believing God that He’s going to do what His people needs and we know that people are crying because they’re burdened and we’re asking for some relief on their behalf,” Mr. Ferguson said.
“There’s some discussion that would’ve taken place and we are just waiting for the response and the discussion that would have taken place.”
