Wednesday, August 20, 2025
BY ANNELIA NIXON
Tribune Business Reporter
anixon@tribunemedia.net
INDUSTRIAL action has been pledged “in very short order” by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) - with the airport and the foot of Paradise Island bridge to be targeted.
The action comes as the TUC supports the Bahamas Taxicab Union (BTCU) and the Bahamas General Workers Union (BGWU). It follows complaints that livery drivers are being allowed to “steal” jobs from taxi drivers. The TUC includes thousands of members in its affiliate unions.
Obie Ferguson, president of the TUC, yesterday told The Tribune that there may be possible industrial action in the near future - and said it would likely take place at the airport and PI bridge.
Both Mr Ferguson and Tyrone Butler, president of the BTCU, spoke at a press conference on Monday at the BCPOU hall on the challenges plaguing the transportation industry.
The two locations targeted are those the BTCU have complained are in support of allowing livery drivers to service tourists.
Comments
moncurcool says...
If a tourist chooses to want to ride in e livery car over a taxi, is that not their right?
And this talk of industrial action is why these unions are so irrelevant today.
Posted 20 August 2025, 9:57 a.m. Suggest removal
whatsup says...
Is this because if all the taxicabs went on Strike....NO ONE WOULD CARE. The last time I got a taxi from the airport, the drives was eating cookies the whole drive and the taxi was nasty.
too many Haitians driving taxicabs!!!
Posted 20 August 2025, 10:43 a.m. Suggest removal
bogart says...
The union must first teach the taxi cab drivers how to drive on the public roads and respect other road users especially around the area of the Paradise Island bridges, Shirley St. and East Bay St. cutting/boring through into traffic driving through empty lots by Maud St., York St., and a block or two from the Unionist Legal Office.
The tourist have the democratic Bahamian rights to be allowed to choose.
Posted 20 August 2025, 11:05 a.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Most taxi drivers are lousy, ignorant, disgusting humans. They drive horribly and endanger other motorists, pedestrians and property. Plus 90% of the vehicles are disgusting and poorly maintained.
I think that they should go on strike AND STAY ON STRIKE!!!!
GO ON STRIKE AND KEEP OUR ROADS SAFE!!!!
Posted 20 August 2025, 11:29 a.m. Suggest removal
Dawes says...
At least the roads will be safe from them for a while then. They complain but don't do anything to grow their business. If they were smart they would have an UBER style app which we all could use. Many Bahamians would then actually use them. But all they really want is that run form airport to hotel
Posted 20 August 2025, 12:03 p.m. Suggest removal
Sickened says...
Question - do any of regular taxis take credit cards? Or it the same old scam of 'I don't have any change so I'll just keep the difference'?
Posted 20 August 2025, 1:32 p.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
Unions destroy societies.
Posted 20 August 2025, 3:05 p.m. Suggest removal
DreamerX says...
Please strike and let the government change the entire game. Tired of these outdated leeches. They barely even serve the Bahamian people. BTCU owes the government millions in various ways to various ministries but acts like they have any moral/legal grounds for this attitude.
Posted 20 August 2025, 3:16 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Just strike and stop talking. Suffer the consequences as a result of the strike. Either way,, strike!
Posted 20 August 2025, 6:15 p.m. Suggest removal
bogart says...
........er, hmmmmm.......did he the Unionist, not first just after the sermon from the pulpit of the Church, not hear of the leader, Love your Neighbour.
It is quite obvious that the Unionist will love your Neighbour.
Posted 20 August 2025, 6:50 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
Go ahead Mr Ferguson you the boss, but the strikers should note that your salary and income will not change their income will be affected, ,
Posted 20 August 2025, 6:59 p.m. Suggest removal
BONEFISH says...
The taxi drivers have no interest in serving the Bahamian public. They have largely abandoned the local market. Travel outside of the Bahamas, taxis catered to both locals and tourists. They are one of the groupings who keep the Bahamas behind in the dark ages.
Posted 20 August 2025, 7:25 p.m. Suggest removal
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