salary

In an address to public workers, Prime Minister Philip Davis delivered a pointed message–saying he doesn’t “believe in cussing and carrying on,” but in “partnership and finding solutions,” – a slight at union leaders of the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) and the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), Kimsley Ferguson and Belinda Wilson, who threatened another protest over the delayed salary increase.

Speaking during a national address on Tuesday night, Davis bypassed the union leaders whom he had promised a meeting, and said he was speaking directly to public workers as tension rises.

“I will not sit in rooms where respect is not mutual. Real progress happens when grown men and women sit down and reason with each other,” Davis said.

While reiterating his respect for unions, Davis said, “Fights get us nowhere. We need progress and respect. We achieve nothing by thrashing words in the press.” He continued, “Cussing and carrying on don’t work for ‘Brave.’ We are adults and  we must act like it.”

The big picture

This comes after Ferguson and Wilson met with Davis on Monday as promised, following a heated protest last Wednesday over the delayed salary increase to December instead of September.

During Monday’s meeting, the pair and Davis reviewed the salary for public servants, but were to meet on Tuesday to finalize the logistics of the increase. Wilson, addressing the media afterward, stated that a protest was imminent if the agreement was not finalized for workers’ next pay day, October 25.

Davis, moments later, issued a press statement, cancelling Tuesday’s meeting due to Wilson’s comments.

What’s at stake?

By addressing public workers instead of union leaders in a meeting as promised, Davis could be seen as undercutting unions’ influence. The move risks alienating Wilson and Ferguson, who may feel publicly sidelined.

Davis may want to be seen as the reasonable figure in a heated dispute, positioning his government as solutions-oriented and above the fray.

It remains to be seen if this tone and new position will calm tensions or deepen the divide between the government and the unions.

Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming, is praising Prime Minister Philip Davis’ decision to confront angry public workers on Parliament Square on Wednesday—calling it an act of ‘bravery.’

In a social media post, Rahming wrote, “At least the man I work for is brave enough to walk among and speak with the people. The others (the Free National Movement) are hiding in the crowd. They never used to speak to the same workers they’re walking with now. Leaders don’t run.”

Rahming’s remark followed a dramatic scene outside Parliament on Wednesday, where hundreds of public servants, led by union heads Kimsley Ferguson of the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) and Belinda Wilson of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), demanded overdue salary increases that were promised in September but delayed until December.

Davis initially appeared confused about the protest, saying he would “find out” what the demonstration was about. Later, union leaders walked inside the House of Assembly and walked out hand in hand with the Prime Minister, who promised payments “before Christmas” and said the increases were “from my heart.”

But Rahming’s praise of Davis as “brave” drew a swift backlash online.

“Be brave enough to pay what was promised,” wrote Daphne Lundy.

“All of y’all work for us. His job was to come out there and speak to the people,” said Channy Burrows. “Lord, what is this we promoting? Where is Nelson Mandela?”

“Y’all spin doctors out now trying to change the narrative,” commented Elvardo Laing.

“A true leader would never let it get to this point,” said Anthony Clarke.

The protest underscored growing frustration among public workers.

Featured images: Facebook and  The Tribune