By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE country’s security forces yesterday questioned why they were excluded from the latest industrial agreement between the government and the Bahamas Public Service Union.

At a press conference yesterday, representatives from the Police Staff Association, Customs and Immigration departments and prison officers said as the “watchers and protectors of this nation” they were surprised that their respective organisations were “specifically” left out of the agreement.

Sloane Smith, Vice-President of the Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union, said the union is ready to strike and the only thing that can stop it is if the government agrees to meet with them and solve their outstanding issues.

Two weeks ago, the government signed an industrial agreement with the BPSU to increase the minimum wage for nearly 2,000 members by $800 a year. However, the agreement does not extend to the secretary of the Cabinet, the financial secretary, the auditor general, judicial and legal officers, ambassadors, contract officers, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Custom and Immigration departments.

Chairman of the Police Staff Association Dwight Smith is calling on the government to meet with the security forces and to work out issues they have, including promotions and overtime pay.

“We only ask as various leaders of organisations, associations and unions that represent the protectors of our country that we are to be looked after,” Mr Smith said. “When we were able to view the document, we were taken aback that it is the first time in history that we saw an industrial agreement that clearly defines who is not included. And looking at the list, all of the security forces that are the protectors of the country are excluded from this document for whatever reason, we are not sure, but one may only wonder why,” he said.

“We should not be wondering whether we are a part of this exercise that was done for the public service because we are the public service.”

He added: “We were crying for a long time for salary increases and (value added tax) VAT is on the way… it is not to disrespect anyone or any government, we want the politicians to back us in this because we are protecting them and their families and we are saying enough is enough. It is time now that you look out for us. If you cannot do it in the public then speak with us privately and let us know what is there for security forces because right now we don’t see anything and just like any other worker, we want to see it in black and white.”

Mr Smith said his members are waiting for the government to finally address the issue of overtime as well as promotions.

He said: “Seven years ago, we had a promotion. Now what does that say about how the government feels about Customs and Immigration? Are you saying you don’t value our contributions? Are you saying the $50 million a year generated by the Immigration and Customs process is of no value? Are you saying that the workers should feel comfortable that they are not being promoted? Something is wrong with that. Just as salaries of Cabinet ministers are guaranteed, why can’t ours? For heaven sake give us a promotion.”