Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson has applied for leave to appeal to the London-based Privy Council over a ruling made in The Court of Appeal on December 27th concerning over time and holiday pay for Atlantis workers.
“We have to be the legitimate guardian for the working people of this country. If we don’t do it, we will find that all of our gains will dissipate and we cannot afford that,” said Mr. Ferguson.
He argues that Bahamian workers should not have to fight for over time pay and public holidays.
“An issue arose where if they work on a public holiday, according to the Fair Labour Standard Act, they are entitled to be paid double the rate of wages for the work performed, that’s according to act.
“The act also says where there is a holiday that falls within the week, your total hours for the week is reduced by eight hours, but you are paid for the entire week, as though you actually worked,” Mr. Ferguson said.
The union chief insists that should the Court of Appeal’s ruling stand, all workers would be affected.
