Bahamas Electrical Workers Union

BEWU Year in Review 2011

The first BEWU election was held on January 27th, 2011. The results of the election were certified on February 24th, 2011. On April 19th, 2011, the elected President resigned, and the Vice President, Mr. Urban Smith (the BEWUs first Family Island VP and Acting President) took the helm of the union as Acting President. On June 15th, 2011, a presidential election was held and on June 22nd the Department of Labor certified the results of the Presidential elections.
Mr. Stephano C. V. Greene President Mr. Urban Smith Vice President
Mrs. Gina Russell Mrs. Nia Mills Ms. Vinteerie AdderleyMs. Aquila KnowlesMr. Michael EdgecombeMr. Keyshon Moss Mr. Kranston Simms Mrs. Sabrina Bain Mr. Kevin Lockheart Mrs. Gloria Moss Mr. Richard A. WrightSecretary General Asst. Secretary General Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Chief Shop Steward Executive Board Member Executive Board Member Executive Board Member Trustee Trustee Trustee

Election 2011

BEWU Administration Upon taking office, the new administration found itself with a tremendous amount of debt, including two (2) active law suits. The union was able to refinance its mortgage on the union building to the tune of One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand Dollars ($186,000.00) the majority of which went towards paying off fully, the outstanding dept that the new administration met in place. The balance of the funds is being used to continue work on the Union Building.
Mr. Kranston Simms Executive Board Member, was involved in an accident. Kranston was injured, hospitalized and is now at 1 home recovering. Please let us keep Kranston in our prayers, as a visit, email or phone call will be greatly appreciated.

BEWU Keeping the Memory Alive Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out the family, friends and co-workers of our Dearly Departed Brothers. May their souls rest in Peace! Mr. Bruce Sands Electrical Technician and Mr. Delroy Daxon Assistant Plant Operator, Clifton Pier P/S

BEWU Union Office Poinciana Drive BEWU Labour Day and Social The union office located on Poinciana Drive was Labour Day 2011 was again a huge sucunoccupied for over two years. Upon taking of- cess. The BEWU in its usual fashion went fice, the new Executive team had the office all out for the annual Sir Randol Fawkes cleaned and re-opened. All outstanding bills were Labour Day celebration held on Friday paid up for the office including rent, telephone June 3, 2011. and cable/internet bills. On February 17th, 2012, the BEWU partThe union rehired the Administrative Assistant, nered with the BEC sports and social club Mrs. Indira Williamson, who was very instru- along with the BEUMU to hold a joint mental in getting the office up and running. Mrs. social for all employees of the corporation. Williamson is in the office for two days a week. Everyone had a Great Time!!!. The union also took advantage of the Governments Employment Assistance Program and engaged the assistance of Ms. Patrinka Johnson BEWU Building Gregory Street and Farrington Road for one year. Now the union office is opened five Upon taking office, the Executive placed days a week Mondays Fridays from 9am 5pm. The office numbers are 322-4289 or 322- focus on the new BEWU building. The build4711 (fax). The unions email address is bewuba- ing had been sitting for quite some time without any work being done to it. The union hamas@gmail.com . initially had the building cleaned and held an open house along with having the first union meeting at the building for the Presidential BEWU Training and Seminars The BEWU through the National Congress of nominations. Trade Unions of the Bahamas (NCTUB) and The Executives to date has gotten the electrithe International Labour Organization (ILO) cal supply at the union building, along with took advantage of as many training programs the meter for the owners supply installed. and seminars as possible. They are as follows An assessment of the building indicated that the doors have to be changed along with sevbut not limited to; NCTUB Labour College , Certificate eral broken windows. Contracts have already been awarded to have the work done. in Labour Studies. Focusing on the three (3) shop spaces on the NCTUB/ ILO Media Workshop. ground floor, the union has already gotten the NCTUB International Womans Day three shop spaces tiled out. Additionally, the Symposium. entrance area has also been tiled. In the up Anthony Thompson & Co. Legal Aid coming weeks, work will continue to be done Clinic. with a view of completing the three shop ILO Workshop - Elimination Haz- spaces preparing them for leasing and also ardous Child Labour. securing the upstairs area and the back of the NCTUB/ ILO workshop on Occupa- yard. tional Health and safety. The Union looks forward to completing BHC&AWU Shop Steward Seminar works on the Union Building, and having a 2 Caribbean Congress of Labour Re- soft opening of the building in the upcoming weeks. gional Assessment - HIV NCTUB Worker's Platform

Abaco

Eleuthera

Exuma & the Southern Bahamas Area Vice President Mr. David Pinder - Secretary General

M. Latoya Lightbourne Area Vice President Ms. Michelle Thurston - Secretary General Ms. Monique Curry - Treasurer Mr. Javares McIntosh - Chief Shop Steward Ms. Anitra Cornish - Asst Secretary Mr. Marvin Mills - Asst. Treasurer

Mr. Donald Fernander Area Vice President Mr. Kevin Cambridge Chief Shop Steward Mr. Alvin Johnson Secretary General Mr. Cranston Scavella - Treasurer

Mr. Clifford Strachan - Treasurer Mr. Leonard Dames Jr.- Chief Shop Steward

Mr. Kendal Rolle - Asst Secretary/

treasurer

BEWU Abaco
On October 20, 2011, the BEWU held elections for the BEWU Abaco area branch. Travelling to Abaco to oversee the elections were the President- Stephano Greene, Secretary General Gina Russell and Trustee- Mr. Richard A. Wright. The results of the Abaco branch elections were historical with the first ever female President for the BEWU- Ms. Latoya Lightbourne. On November 8th, 2011, the President travelled back to Abaco to be a part of the first BEWU Abaco branch meeting conducted by President Latoya Lightbourne.

BEWU South Andros

On January 20th, 2012, the President along with Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to South Andros to meet and hold a social with the members there. This was the first meeting and social held in South Andros in over 16 years, and the first time a President has been to South Andros in over 9 years.

BEWU Long Island

On February 28th, 2012, the President along with Urban Smith, Clifford Strachan and Kendal McPhee and Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to Long Island to meet with the BEWU members and management of Long Island operations.

BEWU Exuma
On February 28th, 2012, the President along with the Trustee Richard A. Wright travelled to 3 Exuma to meet with members and hold a lunch time social.

BEWU Shop Stewards

Bimini - Mr. Pedrito Roberts North Andros - Mr. Anthony Evans Central Andros - Mr. Prince Duncombe South Andros - Mr. Anthony Andrews Great Harbour Cay - Mr. Norman Bastian Cat Island -Mr. Arthur Maycock San Salvador -Mr. Raymond Jones Accounts Big Pond Clifton Pier P/S Mr. Marcus Pratt Mr. Carlington Pratt Mr. Kevin Collie Mr. Merrill Johnson Mr. Kennedy Strachan Mr. Javon Bonaby Mr. Troy Cargill Mr. Edwin Thompson Mr. Radley Collie Mr. Tanico Colebrooke Mr. Kevin Collie Mr. Kendrick Clarke Mr. Basil Thompson Mr. Carl Kemp Mr. Charles Knowles Mr. Edwin Burrows Mr. Cyril Minnis Mr. Darron Gilbert Mr. Sean Cargill Mr. Javon Stuart Mr. Otto McLounder Mr. Kareem Williams Mr. Devon Rox Cust. Services Call Center - Ms. Thelma Neely Cust. Services Cashiers- Ms. Anishka Christie Cust. Services Mall- Mr. Toyel Newry Generation & Family Island - Mr. Selvyn Rolle Human Resources Internal AuditMeter Reader/Disconnectors- Mr. Nathan Coakley Planning - Mr. Allan Adderley Stores- Mr. Gregory Clarke Supply ChainSupport ServicesSystem Control- Ms. Omease Joffre Transport- Mr. Kevin Ferguson Customer Services Blue Hills P/SMr. Ricardo Gray Mr. Kyle Wilson Mr. Samuel Johnson Mr. Stephen Adderley Mr. Christopher Virgil Mr. Sergio Davis Mr. Samuel Johnson Mr. Michael Simmons Mr. Newman Munroe

BEWU - Benefits of Membership:

Excellent Representation, Sick Benefit, Hospitalization Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Disability Benefit, Death Benefit Retirement Benefit.