Trouble In Paradise

[bdahunter]

Trouble arrived on the Bermuda Government's doorstep this morning with close to 3,000 public servants turning out in protest of the Premier's decision to ignore binding arbitration in a labour dispute with all of the island's public service union members. Firemen, police officers, nurses, garbagemen, bus drivers, ferry drivers, public works, teachers and civil servants are all represented by a single union in Bermuda, they haven't had a raise in 4 years and are poorly paid. They finally had to go to binding arbitration which came down in their favour but the government decided to arrogantly ignore the settlement.(they did find the money to buy the Premier a brand new BMW 750IL limosine though, $190,000.00)
Over 3,000 angry workers marched on the Bermuda Parliament this morning to protest this arrogant approach by the government. Unfortunately for me, I had just parked my jeep at a job site 1 block from Parliament and was suddenly surrounded by streets full of angry workers carrying banners and beating drums. The protest lasted 3 hours and my 5 minute job site visit lasted the same amount of time as all traffic was stopped for blocks in every direction.
I'm not a union guy but I have to say that I sympathize with the workers this time, they really are underpaid. It was a big thing for this little island and the odd part is that the government is run by the PLP People's labour Party.

Cheers,

[EBCIII]

Man BDA that is some wild news! One union for all those workers? That is in itself strange. I hope it all works out. It could make foe a long summer if it does not, Beale.

[bdahunter]

I forgot to mention the postal workers as well as many others, Beale. The island has pretty much ground to a halt today. Interestingly, everyone one I've talked to so far is in support of the workers who are getting a raw deal, even the people who are angry at the disruption are siding with the workers.
With all of the off shore banking and re-insurance companies on this island the cost of a shut down of services will cost millions of dollars per day. I think the government will have to become more reasonable, very quickly. Billions of dollars move through this tiny island daily and business will not put up with this for very long.
Apologies to those waiting for their Pirate Tee Shirts they won't be moving through the mail until this clears up, hopefully by Monday.

I'll keep ya posted,

[Gary]

Bda,be very careful,You know what mob mentality can do!Best Wishes Pirate T-Shirts????

[bdahunter]

Originally Posted by Gary

Bda,be very careful,You know what mob mentality can do!Best Wishes

Bermudians are very laid back people generally and there were no altercations at the main protest that I saw. Just a bunch of folks exercising their democratic right to free assembly.(the cops are in the union too so there was no body for the workers to clash with)
Orderly and civilized is how the event took place, very Bermudian.

Kewl,

[Gary]

Cool,I forgot that it was'nt here in America.Dont get me wrong I'm a patriot for sure,but we have a lot of scumbags that will riot when they dont get everything given to them.I do have all the respect for anyone who works for a living and it doesnt matter what they do as long as its an honest job!

[bdahunter]

Nothing wrong with an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.
There have been riots here in the past, back in the late 60's and early 70's. Two black guys were hung after being convicted of assassinating the Governor and two other people, the black population went ballistic and they had to call in the military. My business partner was a volunteer fireman back then and he had to hose down the rioters so they could put out the fires started by the riot.
I must admit that the memory of that tale crossed my mind as I walked through a crowd of angry black people today but I don't believe that you can give into your fears so I just kept walking like it was any other day. Fear is like cancer to your soul, to my way of thinking.

Cheers,

[rip]

Originally Posted by bdahunter

Nothing wrong with an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.
There have been riots here in the past, back in the late 60's and early 70's. Two black guys were hung after being convicted of assassinating the Governor and two other people, the black population went ballistic and they had to call in the military. My business partner was a volunteer fireman back then and he had to hose down the rioters so they could put out the fires started by the riot.
I must admit that the memory of that tale crossed my mind as I walked through a crowd of angry black people today but I don't believe that you can give into your fears so I just kept walking like it was any other day. Fear is like cancer to your soul, to my way of thinking.

Cheers,

I'm afraid to say that I have no fear myself ! Be carefull out there bud,I hope everything works out for the people there,an Honest days work deserves a fair wage.Ya know how it is goin that extra mile and all that. But seriously,I'm lucky to have a great job that I enjoy and I realy DO go the extra mile .......well most of the time anyhow.

[bdahunter]

ou're braver than me then, Mate! (or crazier?) I know fear, I just do my best not to give into it. So far, so good.

Cheers Bud and be safe underwater,

[rip]

Originally Posted by bdahunter

ou're braver than me then, Mate! (or crazier?) I know fear, I just do my best not to give into it. So far, so good.

Cheers Bud and be safe underwater,

I used to be afraid of drowning.I almost did drown 3 times that I can recall the first time was when I was mabey 5-6 but I got over it ! Tomorrow I get to save the day and find the lost ring ! Have a good one bud !