An overtime ban at the docks is the latest in a five-year dispute that raises questions over Collective Bargaining Agreements
Fresh produce may take longer to hit the shelves after port workers have implemented an overtime ban, exacerbated by the breakdown of dock cranes.
The union’s dispute with the management of Hamilton Cargo Docks has dragged on for 5 years, over the unfair dismissal of Chris Furbert Jr, son of BIU President Chris Furbert, back in 2020.
The row may also raise questions about labour relations, and the strength of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Late last year, an Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal ruled that the dismissal of Chris Furbert Jr was unfair, and awarded Mr Furbert just over $250,000 in compensation. The tribunal did not, however, order that he should be reinstated.
Dawud Tucker, President of the Port Workers Division of the BIU, argues that the Collective Bargaining Agreement states that a wrongfully terminated employee should be reinstated and receive any losses.
Union members cited the potential undermining of the Collective Bargaining Agreement as one of the reasons behind the industrial action.
With a cargo crane out of service, it appears the matter has further threatened local goods reaching the island.
In the report above, Gary Foster Skelton provides the background on the dispute, and speaks with Dawud Tucker, President of the Port Workers Division of the BIU.
One crane back online
Meanwhile, one of two cranes servicing the Hamilton Docks has been repaired.
Randy Rochester, the CEO of Polaris, the parent company for SSL, said one crane is in service, “with the second crane being worked on by the local and overseas technicians.”
He added, “if all goes well, we should have both cranes operating as soon as possible – and things will return to normal on the docks.”
The cause of the fault is unclear.
