Trade Unions

Trade Unions are made up of an association of workers. These were founded to improve pay and working conditions of its members. Their other goals for its members are to ensure:

• That you don’t lose your job unfairly.

• That you are rightly compensated for any work-related injury.

• That you are given the right to obtain additional pay benefits (E.g. of additional pay benefits include bonuses, overtime, accrued leave).

• That you are given advice on financial and legal matters (essentially how you should be paid and if your company’s behavior is illegal).

• The ability for the union to advocate/voice major changes they wish to make.

The four major types of unions:

1. Craft Union - Only allows workers who possess certain skills (e.g. Mechanics. Plumbers, Electricians). The 1st craft union in The Bahamas was organized by Randal Fawkes.

2. General Union - Allows unskilled workers from all areas (Blue collar workers such as fishers and farmers).

3. Industrial Union - Allows workers from a certain industry (banking industry, tourism industry, hotel industry).

4. White Collar Unions - Allows people from professional jobs (doctors, teachers, accountants, lawyers).

History of Trade Unions in The Bahamas:

The 1st ever Trade union movement occurred in 1940, formed by the Salt Pond Workers of Inagua.

In 1958, a general strike caused Bay Street to close down. As a result, store owners lost around 85% of income. It ended 15 days later and caused the government to pass a new Labour Legislation Law for all Bahamian workers.

The Effect of the Legislation:

1. Hotel and Agricultural workers were allowed to join unions

2. Labour department was established

3. The Bahamas Transportation Authority was set up

4. The Bahamas Trade Union Congress formed.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC):

• Most of today’s trade unions are affiliated with this group.

• Their main goal was to negotiate with the government on the trade unions’ behalf.

Randal Fawkes Contributions (for these he was named “The Father of the Trade Union in The Bahamas”):

• In 1955, he opened an employment agency for all and organized the country’s 1st Craft Union.

• Formed “The Bahamas Federation of Labour” where he became its 1st president.

• Helped by Simeon Bowe and Anthony Roberts.

Unions established at the time:

1. Bahamas Hotel Employees Association

2. Bahamas Union of Teachers

3. Public Service Union

4. Bahamas Hotel and Catering Union

5. Bahamas Musicians and Entertainment Union

6. Airport and Airline workers Union

7. Grand Bahama Entertainment Union

8. United Brotherhood and Longshoremen’s Union

As present, there are over 36 Unions in The Bahamas with the largest being “The Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union”.

Collective Bargaining:

This is how most of the labour force’s wage rates and working conditions are decided.

During this process, trade union officials, representing the workers and members of the employer’s association carry out negotiations.

However, forces of demand & supply still play a role in wage negotiations. A trade union’s power to influence wages will depend on its ability to influence the supply of labour. By restricting the supply of labour to an industry or threatening to do so, a trade union can achieve an increase in wage rates.