President of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) and First Vice President of the National Congress of Trade Unions in the Bahamas (NCTUB), Sherry Benjamin gave an update this week on the unionization of the employees at Cable Bahamas and Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority.

Benjamin was speaking to reporters outside of the BCPOU Hall on Monday.  She said, “this is my second term and I’ve been fighting from day one to get to the table with Cable Bahamas and they have still be ducking and dodging.”

The union leader also said that recognition has been submitted for Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches.  “That has been from last year March.  We’ve actually sent in in March and we’ve sent in in July and the Chairman has not responded to us yet.”

Minister of Labour and the Public Service, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle also commented on the issue.  She said, “the matter of the BCPOU who are seeking recognition with Cable Bahamas and also with the Beaches and Parks Authority.  Regarding Cable Bahamas it is our decision that they will have to go to poll to determine that they do have the fifty plus one that is needed for them to gain representation.  However with Beaches and Parks this is new request that has been ratcheted up to the Minister of Works who is reviewing.  It just got to him over the past few weeks right before the holidays and he’s assured me that he will be reviewing the matter and of course seeking to have a meeting with the BCPOU executives.”