Make Unions Voluntary

From an excellent editorial in the FREEPORT NEWS:

...The question that now demands an answer is this: With so many hotel workers in Grand Bahama facing some lean times ahead, what contingency plan does Hotel Union President Pat Bain and the other high-salaried officers of the union have in place to lessen the hardship members of the union will face in the months ahead?

Keep in mind that these union members are required "by law" to have $10 a month in dues deducted from their salaries by the hotels, which in turn prepare hefty cheques for the union to pick up. With more than 7,000 members, this means that the union pulls in an estimated $70,000 a week in dues, which means that it should have an astronomical cash reserve to adequately provide some sort of financial assistance for its members in Grand Bahama who now find themselves out of work.

Now is the time for the officers of this multi-million-dollar entity to come to the aid of its members who are responsible for making it the richest union in the country. Whether they want to or not, non-managerial employees of hotels pay $10 a week dues to the union, and there is no better time than now to return some of their money back to them. ["Where is the hotel union?" September 15th, 2004]

The unions should be made voluntary, so that employees who are displeased with the union performance can leave the union, or join another union. Forcing Bahamians to join a union that they feel does not serve their own interests is a violation of ther political rights.

[feralproof@hotmail.com]

is the "freeport news" a publication that can be sourced via the internet?.also are there any other daily newspapers and what are the leanings or affiliations of these publications [if any].freedom of speech along with that of the press is a sign of a healthy and robust democracy.although a small nation i hope that the bahamas is 'free thinking', along with a non restrictive attitude in regard to different opinions from various groups/organisations.with regards from "the far side of the world".gary.

[LDaneen]

Dear feralproof,

Bahamians do have freedom of speech, and freedom of
the press. I think the article was referring specifically to
the structure of unions and the mandatory requirement for
hotel employees' to be a part of one. I agree with the
writer. It should definitely be optional.