Hon. Dion Foulkes/ Minister of Labour and Maritime Affairs
Click and listen to press interview: foulkes_gbpower_talks.mp3
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Minister of Labour and Maritime Affairs, the Hon. Dion Foulkes announced that talks this week between management of the Grand Bahama Power Company and leaders of the Commonwealth Electrical Workers Union (CEWU) and the Bahamas Industrial Engineers, Managerial & Supervisors Union (BIEMSU) were “fruitful”, with both sides committing to refrain from public demonstrations during his involvement in the matter.
Minister Foulkes travelled to Grand Bahama to meet with the parties in dispute in an effort to seek an amicable resolution to contract negotiations between them.
Thursday, Minister Foulkes met with the unions’ executives and management of the Power Company, with the second round of talks held as a joint meeting between the groups on Friday. The meetings were held at the Office of the Prime Minister, Freeport.
Minister Foulkes said, “We had two days of meetings here in Grand Bahama. Yesterday (Thursday) I met separately with the two unions and then in the afternoon I met with the management group.
“I have a clear appreciation for what the contentious issues are and also I am optimistic that we are able to bring about a resolution.
“We met again this morning (Friday) with both management and unions. The talks were very fruitful and very cordial. Both sides have agreed to refrain from any public utterances or demonstrations during the time of my involvement in this matter.”
Minister Foulkes confirmed that the parties will meet again next week.
“I shall return to Grand Bahama the week of November 5 to do a follow-up meeting to see to what extent we can bring a final conclusion to the negotiations,” he said.
