By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNMENT negotiations with the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union over sick leave benefits will seek to remove the practice of “double dipping”, Works Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed yesterday.

In clarifying the government’s official position on the matter, Mr Davis said the outcome of discussions will set a precedent for the entire public service, all of whom were said to have engaged in the long standing practice.

Although BEC employees on sick leave will still be allowed to collect both National Insurance and a full salary until the matter is resolved, Mr Davis explained that the government was in talks with the BEWU to align practices with the law.

Despite staunch opposition to proposed changes expressed by union leaders to the press, Mr Davis said he was optimistic that a resolution on the matter was forthcoming.

“The (government’s) position,” he said, “is what the law is, as an employer once I am paying your National Insurance, which I pay a part of, I should only pay a certain amount of your salary when you’re on sick leave and that’s all I’d be entitled to do.”

“First of all,” he said, “BEC’s staff are not the only group of workers that are benefitting in this way, the whole public service is. It has been highlighted by the BEC issue, but this impacts a number of the other corporations and the public service.

“The resolution, I trust, will be what is echoed on both sides, and we hope to discuss that and let them know,” he said.

Controversy over sick leave benefits at the corporation began last month after it was announced that BEC employees will no longer be allowed to “double-dip” by collecting both NIB and their full salary, beginning November 1.

BEC Chairman Leslie Miller issued a corporation-wide memo telling staff they will no longer be allowed to collect from National Insurance for certain benefits, such as sick benefit, while being paid a full salary by BEC.

What followed was a bitter war of words between Mr Miller and BEWU president Stephano Greene, who pledged that the union would take legal or industrial action if the changes were implemented.

BEC’s management union threatened that power generation could be cut if demands were not met.

As tensions escalated, Mr Miller was also threatened personally by the BEWU president, who warned the union would start representing employees of Mr Miller’s private businesses – forcing Mr Miller to deal with the BEWU in order to make his own living.

Mr Miller claimed moral high-ground, denouncing the ability of BEC workers to collect nearly double their salary while the general public continues to struggle with unemployment and a high cost of living.

The BEC chairman also lashed out at Mr Greene, warning that the BEWU leader could lose his job if he continued to insults him, or took part in industrial action.

Both sides claimed that they had the full support of the government.

Earlier this month, Mr Davis defended Bahamas Electricity Corporation chairman Leslie Miller as the battle waged between unions and executive management over benefits.

Although he admitted the practice of “double-dipping” by public servants has been a challenge at the National Insurance Board for more than a decade, Mr Davis underscored that the proper procedures must be followed.

Last week, Labour Minister Shane Gibson explained that unilateral changes to policy regarding sick leave benefits at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation would be in breach of labour laws.

Mr Gibson explained that no employer can alter a long-standing written or verbal contract without consultation.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said: “There’s always a way to do things, and sometimes process has a tendency of distracting from the substance of what has to be done as a result. It’s desirable that one pays attention to process.

“I think had it not been for the fiscal conditions we find ourselves in this issue may not have arisen. Now that our finances, our fiscal health, are being anxiously scrutinized this is a matter that came up.

“I think,” he added, “the unions are sensitive to what’s happening in the economy. I’m satisfied after having spoken to them that they understand the fiscal challenges that the government and the corporations have. I think they will be willing to sit and work out something acceptable to all of us.”