National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas

Vo l u m e 2

February, 2013

February is Heart Health Awareness Month!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Standoff at Anathol Rodgers High School Pg. 2 Fire When? Inequality Within the Public Service Equal Pay for Equal Work
Photo Courtesy of Rodney Moncur Community Activist

Pg. 5 Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Pg. 9

Gibson: Govt. Committed to Regularizing Pg. 10 Temporary Workers New Slate of Executive Officers for Police Pg. 12 Living a Healthy Lifestyle Pg. 13

New US Visa Procedures for the Bahamas Pg. 15 Useful Links Pg. 16

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Smoke covers Anathol Rodgers High School

Anathol Rodgers school after approximately 5 years of being in existence is plagued with problems ranging from smoke and foul odour to mold infestation. The teachers and students have been tolerating these unsafe unsanitary conditions for several months. President of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Belinda Wilson has been communicating with Minister Fitzgerald on these matters which have not yet been resolved. The environmental problems are compounded by violence on the school campus where students, mostly male students, have been engaged in counter productive activities. Very often, students can be seen fighting in the streets and it is alleged that several stabbings have taken place on or around the campus over the past few months.

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Teachers morale is very low at the school because despite their efforts to have their concerns address adequately by the Principal their cries have gone on deaf ears. Parents have now become involved and at a PTA meeting they sought to get answers to the myriad of questions related to, but not limited to mold, smoke and violence. In addition to these concerns the majority of the teachers are not being treated humanely and the Administration, in particular the Principal Myrtle McPhee has disrespected teachers in the presence of colleagues and students. The Union is calling upon the Ministry of Education to address all of the concerns at Anatol Rodgers in a timely manner so that the students may be educated; as much time is being lost and the students will be negatively affected as a result.

Fire at the Derelict Vehicle Facility in the rear of Anathol Rodgers High School

Information submitted by the BUT

Mold in the science lab at Anathol Rodgers High School

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Fire Department responding to fire at Anathol Rodgers High School

School gates locked to keep out media and union

Security Personnel from the Ministry of Education arrive at Anathol Rodgers to discuss violence on school campus

BUT meets with environmental personnel to discuss concerns at Anathol Rodgers High School

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Firemen battle fire at the Derelict Vehicle Facility on Marshall Road in the rear of Anathol Rodgers School. Community residents are demanding that the facility be relocated as fires in that area have become all too common. Residents are concerned about the possible health risk and the potential loss of life and property if the Fire Department are unable to contain the fire.
Information and photos Courtesy of Rodney Moncur Community Activist

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Photo Courtesy of Rodney Moncur Community Activist

Photo Courtesy of Rodney Moncur Community Activist

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By: Sheleta Collie

In her address to the staff of the Department of Social Services at its fourth annual Motivational Seminar, held on Thursday 7th February, 2013, the Hon. Melanie Griffin stated that she will see to it that the staff are treated fairly and receive what they rightly deserve. She made particular mention of the expansion of the Fox Hill Centre, Hon. Melanie Griffin Minister of Social Services and Community Development the creation of a new outreach centre in Southwestern New Providence and the overdue Career Path. Minister Griffin, Minister of Social Service and Community Development, also assured the staff that she discussed this Departments outstanding human resource issues with the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister with responsibility for the Pubic Service and they will be resolved in the near future. The question that looms is WHEN?. Continuous discussions without resolution is intellectual masturbation and does not benefit the staff. It is good that Minister Griffin thinks that social work is the noblest profession in the world, but her words need to materialize into action. Unfortunately, while the Government gives lip services to the needs of this Department, it continues to make demands, without the requisite resources, facilities or remunerations. Social Services is overdue for action, not more promise, so I hope that todays talk is immediately followed by action, otherwise, it was an effort in futility.

Excerpt from the Progressive Liberal Partys Charter for Governance

Ensure adequate staffing and training for social workers. Ensure adequate staffing and training for social workers in all areas including those concerned with witness protection programmes, human trafficking, domestic and spousal protection orders, community service orders and death penalty evaluation. Improve working conditions for staff and clients. Implement the Career Path for Social Workers. Continue the programme to regularize workers on the Unemployment Assistance Programme.

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By: Sheleta Collie

There is a growing legion of temporary workers within the public service in areas such as the Department of Social Services, Environmental Health Services and the Ministry of Education. Many of these persons have been employed in excess of 10, 15 and 20 years. These workers are also grossly underpaid, which severely limits their access to credit and greatly diminishes their quality of life. Their inadequate income also forces many into substandard living conditions which in some cases lack the most basic amenities. At its most basic level, this segregated employment situation violates workers right to equal pay for equal work as per the Employment Act and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Most of these employees come from the lower socio-economic class, and the overwhelming majority of them are single mothers. Some report feeling powerless and frustrated and there is a great deal of tension on the job resulting from the inherent unfairness of the situation. Others say they feel victimized by supervisors who see them not as fellow employees, but a subculture within the service, unequal in status and rights.

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UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

EMPLOYMENT ACT 2001 ARTICLE -6NON DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK (b) paying him at a rate of pay less than the rate of pay of another employee, for substantially the same kind of work or for work of equal value performed in the same establishment, the performance of which requires substantially the same skill, effort and responsibility and which is performed under similar working conditions except where such payment is made pursuant to seniority, merit, earnings, by quantity or quality of production or a differential based on any factor other than race, creed, sex, marital status, political opinion, age or HIV/AIDS;

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Government is committed to regularizing scores of temporary workers who are employed within the public service, said Minister of Labor and National Insurance Shane Gibson yesterday. Gibson said he did not have exact figures on how many government employees fall into this category, but stressed that the Christie administration has resolved to bring some sort of closure to the longstanding issue. The Golden Gates MP said some people have been temporarily employed within the public service for more than a decade, but do not have benefits, such as a pension, that their permanent counterparts enjoy.
Hon. D. Shane Gibson Minister with responsibility for the Public Service

"During the election campaign we committed ourselves to regularizing those workers," Gibson said. "Obviously it cannot all be done at one time and it's all a matter of funding, so we committed ourselves to sitting down with the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) and working out a formula.

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"The most natural thing would be for the first in to be the first ones regularized," he added. "It would be a shame to have persons working weekly and monthly for 15 years and they have to wait, when you have persons who just started working six months or a year ago and they are regularized. So we will be working out a formula for persons who are qualified and are willing and want to come in as permanent and pensionable." However Gibson said the process will "take some time" and added that he is unsure how many workers fall into the temporary category. "I'm not sure how many workers it affects because you have some agencies who have been allowed to hire individuals without reference to the public service, so in some instances you have workers who are hired on weekly and monthly terms who we have no knowledge about," he explained.

News date : 09/18/2012 Category : Nassau Guardian Stories Taneka Thompson Guardian Senior Reporter taneka@nasguard.com www.thenassauguardian.com

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STAFF ASSOCIATION
Serving the Protectors with Pride

The Royal Bahamas Police Force Staff Association (RBPFSA) executive team following elections held on January 23rd, 2013.
Executive Chairman Deputy Chairman Secretary Assistant Secretary/Public Relations Officer Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Chief Welfare Officer Private Engagement (Nassau) Deputy Private Engagement (Nassau) Chairman (Grand Bahama) Private Engagement (Grand Bahama) Deputy Private Engagement (Grand Bahama) Private Engagement (Abaco) International Affairs Sgt. 460 Dwayne Rolle Pc. 2886 LaShan Brice Pc. 3212 Julius Marshall Cpl. 2754 Jacqueline Jones Sgt. 1889 Tonya Thompson-Moss Pc. 2889 Krishna Campbell Pc. 3224 Emmanuel St. Vil Pc. 2942 Ronnie Ferguson Cpl. 1759 Inez Miller Pc. 2938 Andrew Clarke Pc. 2860 LaShanda Bowe-Frances Pc. 3230 Parez Demeritte Cpl. 1569 Garvin Mackey Insp. Dwight Smith

Executives of the recently elected Royal Bahamas Police Staff Association attend a Worship Service

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The World Health Organization defines HEALTH as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. HEALTHY LIVING is defined as the steps, actions and strategies one puts in place to achieve optimum health. Healthy Living is about taking responsibility and making smart health choices for today and for the future. Eating right, getting physically fit, emotional wellness, spiritual wellness and prevention are all part of creating a healthy lifestyle. As trade union leaders, we must not only fight for the rights of our members in their respective workplaces, we must encourage them to live more healthy lifestyles so that they are able to benefit from and enjoy the fruits of our struggles on their behalf.

heart disease can lead to disability and a decreased quality of life, but few women take their risk seriously or personally. Having just one risk Asst. Secretary General, BPSU factor can double your risk for developing heart disease; multiple risk factors will multiply your risk. Know the risk factors for heart disease: High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Diabetes Smoking Overweight/Obesity Physical Inactivity Family history of early coronary heart disease Age (for men: 45 and older; women: 55 and older)
Verna M. Bonaby

February is designated as Heart Health Awareness month, and in this issue we will provide some suggestions on how to Talk to your doctor to find out if you are at live a heart healthy lifestyle. risk and take action if you are! Not smoking, Heart disease is a broad term used to heart healthy eating, physical activity, maindescribe a range of diseases that affect taining a healthy weight, and taking preyour heart. The various diseases that fall scribed medication can help to control and under the umbrella of heart disease reduce the risks. include diseases of your blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease; heart Here are 10 Steps to follow, to help you live a rhythm problems (arrhythmias); heart in- heart healthy life. fections; and heart defects you're born 1. Get regular checkups. with. 2. Know your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. While heart disease has long been attributed to men, do you know that it is now the 3. Follow your doctors recommendations for diet and exercise. #1 Killer of women in The Bahamas? More women die of heart disease than any other 4. Take prescribed medications as directed. disease - even breast cancer. Living with 5. If you smoke, quit now.

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6. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. 7. Eat a heart-healthy diet, including lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods and fish. 8. Limit food high in saturated fats and cholesterol. 9. Limit daily salt intake to less than 1,500 mg per day. 10.Learn your family history of heart disease and talk to your healthcare provider to help manage your risk. Heart disease may be a leading cause of death, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it as your fate. Although you lack the power to change some risk factors such as family history, sex or age there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take.

Discomfort

in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. of breath with or without chest discomfort. signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light headedness. As with men, womens most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Shortness Other

Dont ignore any of these warning signs, even if you feel it may only be indigestion or gas. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as Grammy You can avoid heart problems in the future used to say! by adopting a healthy lifestyle today !

Warning Signs or Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, and no one doubts whats happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people arent sure whats wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Chest

Enjoy a Healthier Lifestyle for a Healthier You! COMMUNICATIONS

discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

To receive this and other health related information as a handout for your members, please email request to bpsucommunications@gmail.com.

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ILO Turin Centre http://www.itcilo.org/en International Trade Union Confederation http://www.ituc-csi.org/rio-20.html the ILO Workers' Relations Bureau http://www.ilo.org/actrav/lang--en/index.htm Decent Work Country Programme, The Bahamas http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/program/ dwcp/download/bahamas.pdf ILO Caribbean http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Regionsandcountries/ LatinAmericaandCaribbean/lang--en/index.htm Trade Union History, Bahamas www.nctu-bahamas.org www.sirrandolfawkes.com

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Dear Friends, We are very happy to have completed another edition of the newsletter for the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas and we would like to thank each and every one of you who took the time to make a contribution. The name of the newsletter is The Workers Voice which was a name that Sir Randol Fawkes gave to the Bahamas Federation of Labor's newspaper in 1959. This current newsletter gives to you, the worker, a voicea means to communicate with your fellow brothers and sisters in the union. Additionally, through The Workers Voice, you now have the opportunity of profiling your union and the work that you are doing. It is our aim to introduce to you all of the affiliate unions attached to the NCTUB. In each edition, we also will bring you content that is historical in nature. History informs us of the struggles that our forbears underwent and the debt of appreciation that we owe them for the sacrifices made. The newsletter will also enable us to document the history that is being made today so that future generations will be inspired by our efforts . Finally would you like to be a part of this communications venture? Do you have a story to tell, an opinion to share? Do you have English, photography, graphic arts design skills? If your answer is Yes! then we would appreciate hearing from you. With thanks, Sheleta Collie Chairman, NCTUB Public Relations Committee

National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas

Carter St. & Horseshoe Drive Ph: (242) 356-7459 Fax: (242) 356-7457 E-mail: ncongress@hotmail.com Website: nctu-bahamas.org