Current Docks boss is unaware of incidents, asks why BIU did not pursue the matter
Union President Chris Furbert has alleged that a number of threatening incidents have taken place at Hamilton Docks in the past.
He made the comments yesterday, as the Bermuda Industrial Union addressed the ongoing overtime ban at the Cargo Docks.
The ban concerns the unfair dismissal of Chris Furbert Jr, son of the BIU President.
Mr Furbert Snr made the allegations when it was highlighted that the industrial action involves his son.
Mr Furbert said that “several years ago, while my son was walking on the dock, he receives a threat from one of his coworkers… ‘I’m going to get my son to shoot you’… That was reported to management, and they done absolutely nothing about it. Nothing.”
When asked if that was on record, Mr Furbert said it was reported to management, and that it was six or seven years ago, prior to Chris Furbert Jr. being terminated.
Mr Furbert also went on to state that “we have another worker, who is still there, who’s tried to stab workers. Got a knife in his locker.”
We reached out to Randy Rochester, CEO of Polaris, parent company of Stevedoring Services.
Regarding the allegation that a fellow worker had threatened to get their son to shoot Mr Furbert Jr, Mr Rochester said: “This pre-dates me by a number of years so the first I am hearing of this. However, if the BIU was not satisfied with the way in which it was handled, surely there was a line of recourse for them to follow at that time.”
On the allegation that there is a worker who has tried to stab other workers and has a knife in his locker, Mr Rochester said, quote: “Not sure what this is about but this matter could have been addressed with the appropriate authorities during the time this action was live.”
At the BIU press conference, after journalists had asked about reporting the incidents to the police or to other union members, Dawud Tucker, Division President of the Port Workers Division said that part of their agreement with the Docks operator is to try and deal with things internally first.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesperson advised that if someone is being threatened at work or at any location, do not take matters into your own hands, but instead make an official report by visiting the nearest police station, call the main police number, 295-0011, 211, or speak with a police officer you know.
