¥Oicf at Lulle PONG's! an Ex-Boatperson from Vietnam and a Citizen of Bermuda for Several Years Has Sacked a Vol

Home , Bermuda Industrial Union, State of Independence

Peg(fM Copy M BERMUDA LIBRARY WOMAN' ACCUSED OF EXPLOITATION ¥oicf AT lULlE PONG'S! An ex-boatperson from Vietnam and a citizen of Bermuda for several years has sacked a Vol. 15. No. 15. Price: 15 cents Chinese worker from the restaurant she now owns, and has threatened to get rid of another Hamilton, Bermuda—Friday, April 3, 1987 four if they do not resign their membership in the Bermuda Industrial Union. Julie Connolly, one of the Vietnamese "boat people" accepted as Bermudian citizens some years ago, is the owner of the former Ding Ho Restaurant on Pitt's Bay Road in Hamilton. Butler^s book Since taking over the management of the business recently, she fired the Chinese employ ees already working there and brought in six workers from Hong Kong in April, 1986. For several months, the Chinese (only two speak English), were dissatisfied with the conditions of can be bought their employment, but did not know where to turn for help in solving their problems. Brother Tommy Tang heard about the BIU and he and his colleagues became members of the Union. When the BIU sent a letter to Connolly ask in advance ing for recognition, she replied that, "in ac If you are interested in purchasing an ad cordance with the laws of Bermuda", she was vance copy of the new book on Dr. E. F. Gor under no obligation to recognise any trade don, which was written by Dale Butler, you union. have until April 30 to get your application in A letter written the same day as the rejec to Brother Butler. tion letter to the Union, was addressed to According to the St. George's Secondary Tommy Tang Informing him that he was fired School principal, "we will have a limited num from his job, but could stay In the accommo ber of advance copies for sale when the book dation provided until March 27 when he is launched on August 22 at BIU Headquart would be expected to leave Bermuda. ers." These copies of "Dr. E. F. Gordon: Hero BLATANT EXPLOITATION of Bermuda's Working Class" can be pur In consultation with the five threatened chased for $20, but when they go on sale at Chinese workers at Julie Pong's, The Workers JULIE PONG'S: Scene of alleged exploitation the book stores they will cost in the region of Voice learned of some of the causes of their $30, according to Butler. dissatisfaction with the iob. permits and make them return to Hong Kong Send your applications and $20 (cheques We were told that the waiters have to work if they did not leave the Union. She also told payable to Dale Butler) to: Dale Butler, P.O. 48 hours per week and have had to work as them: "The BIU is not worried about you Box 108, Warwick WKBX. Advance copy pur many as 63 hours In one week. The two chefs because you are Chinese and the Union only chasers will be invited to the launching on have worked as many as 75 hours in a week. worries about its own black Bermudian August 22, said Butler. They only get Saturday and Sunday morn workers." ings off, and the only whole day off they have -======(Continued on page 8)======enjoyed was Christmas Day, 1986, 'because Lorraine Rest Home there was no busmass on that day." Employees at the Lorraine Rest Home in The waiters, at! fully qualified workers, Warwick recently voted to have the Bermuda told us that it is obvious that Ms. Connolly Industrial Union as tiie sole bargaining agent knows nothing about running a restaurant Molly answers for the ten workers there. and Tommy, in particular has often taken on According to Brother Austin Wade (a BIU the duties normally considered the responsib organiser), the ballot took place at the home ility of management. and the vote was 6-2 in favour of Union rep During two meetings with the workers, Ms. critics of the Connolly threatened to revoke their work resentation. Sonesta strike Hotel workers and Hotel organiser and General Secretary of the BIl\ Sister Molly Burgess, are angry at the charges of irrespon sibility and ignoring of the collective agree ment, levelled against the Union recently. Sister Burgess told Workers Voice, "As far back as last yeai', the BIl^ was concerned ab out the actions of managements, in certain hotels, which were creating tension in the work place." At the I nion's ui^ing, the Min ister for Labour and Home Affairs. Sir John Sharpe, and the premier John Swan, met wiih Sister Burgess and exoiulixi;- of (he Holds Divisicm of the l^nion. "As a result of that meeling. Sir Jtihn M'I up a three-m;m committee reccntU. to meet with Union officials", said Sister Burgess. The committee, compnscd ot Kenneth Richardson. Secretary to the Cabinet. Cian' NEGOTIATORS. Shown are the shop stewards of Sonesta Hotel with Sister Molly Burgess as Phillips. Director of Tourism and Krnio Owen, they prepare to attend a meeting with hotel man agement last week. =====~=~={Continued on page 8) --' -~ "-= Dear Madam: men, hotel workers, clerks and transportat this country. I put it right up there with the When I hear the likes of David Dodwell and ion and service workers, are being held host vindictive attitude displayed towards Richard Tony Correira talking about workers being age to corporate business, Bermudian "props" Hector in his struggle against The Royal Gaz "irresponsible" because they chose to walk and foreign mana^rs. And so ably assisted by ette. off the job at Sonesta Hotel last week, I get corrupt politicians and bureaucratic civil ser The Royal Gazette knew that Independ very angry. I get angry because there are a lot vants and big cheese union bosses; only inter ence is the one issue that irritates the voters in of people out there who will believe that gar ested in their financial interests, to enable the United Bermuda Party strongholds and bage emanating from the mouths of so-called them to purchase splendid homes, long vac any candidate who has any leaning towards intelligent persons. ations, fine sex, drink and drugs, with lots of Independence for this colony is fighting a I happen to know Brother Sylvester Hill, spare cash and security for their circle of losing battle. Yet, despite any favourable the chief shop steward at Sonesta, and he has friends. comments from Mr. Marshall himself, the R. one of the most tolerant attitudes of all the Very truly, G. on the morning of the primary decided to shop stewards in the hotel industry. He is a EX SHOP STEWARD canvass for Mr. Gibbons. soft-spoken, helpful, diligent and personable + + + The paper did not have the decency to young man and Charles Popper {general man Dear Madam: point out that on more than one occasion, Mr ager of Sonesta) and his cronies know this too Please allow me a little time to congratulate Gibbons stated that this colony has nothing well. So, Sylvester had to be totally frustrated the folks on the Low Cost Prefab Housing to gain from Independence, although recently to call his people out at the Southampton Committee for their fine work so far, and for he was rambling on about "letting the people property. saving a majority of the tenants from being decide". Furthermore, this was a straight I didn't hear Dodwell or Correira (or that put back to where they started. E.G. Paying primary between two candidates. Indeed, the upstart Peniston) call for Popper and Com outrageous and unaffordable rents and mort government has not tackled the Independence pany to get their house in order. Nor did I gages. . 4 issue yet. This was rotten journalism. There is hear them chastise middle-management per The whole iS3u4 on prefab housing was to no length to which the daily "garbage" would sonnel at Sonesta for being belligerent, self- ease the housing crisis and get families off the go to destroy its opponents. centred and downright ornery when it comes beaches and living separately, and for low in It is ironic that Senator Marshall did not to handling grievances. come families. lose because of his idiotic remarks about ver Perhaps Sylvester needs to expose all the To all the tenants, this crisis involves you balising the government's platform against his rats at Sonesta. And when he does, then Dod whether you support these fine people or not. conscience! well and his ilk will be justified in calling his And it involves people not living in a prefab. I take this opportunity to send a warning and his colleagues' actions "irresponsible"! If those cheap houses sell at those unfair to Mr. David Critchley to be on guard. The Fraternally, prices, imagine what your landlord or agent recent suggestion regarding a press council did CAPRICORN will do next! not go down well with The Royal Gazette. + -I- + So God bless the Prefab Committee folks, You sir, may be next on the "Hit List". Per Dear Editor, and give them the strength and health to fight haps there is one good thing that must come The advertisement by the Bermudiana Ho on. out of these spiteful attempts to destroy cer tel for a chief engineer and the Belmont Hotel Sincerely, tain members of this society. As more Bermu for a welder/fitter with City and Guilds, are A NON-PREFAB TENANT dians get to realise that differing views are not just another two examples to renew expats BUT A SUPPORTER OF L.P.H.C. welcome in Bermuda, then opposition must grow against such ungodly institutions such contracts and to import expats by false adver -t -I- -I- tisement. And practising deception, by play Dear Madam: as greed, corruption and The Royal Gazette. ing hanky-panky and pulling the wool over This is to express, through you, my deepest I hope that you print this letter, but like one's eyes and especially Bermudians. gratitude to the person who has given me the Senator Marshall, I am alas at your mercy! Sincerely, The advertisement by the Bermudiana ho gift of one year's subscription to The Workers LEON TROTT tel, requests that the applicant has knowledge Voice. + + + of absorption chiller air conditioners, when Again, "thank you" for the gift. Dear Madam: it is common knowledge that the old absor Sincerely, bers have served their time — cut up and de LEIGHTON ROCHESTER This is an open letter to Brother Joe (How livered by truck to the graveyard. And the ab London, England ard) Place; sorbers have been replaced by reciprocating + + + It is indeed a great pleasure to see another chillers, imported from the U.S.A. Dear Madam: brother retire. Apart from the actual retire ment, it is a true pleasure to see a brother live The Belmont hotel's applicant is to renew I hope the government is studying the pug to the day that his dreams come true. A treas the work permit of an expat worker, who is nacious attitude of a number of those people ure that not too many live to see! definitely working under a falsework permit, with or without status. In my opinion, it's like many foreigners. this attitude towards the indigenous popula Knowing you and sharing some great mom ents with you and Knobby (George Brown) The present expat worker is working in the tion that resulted in a fracas after the Ber on the water will be everlasting memories for maintenance department and 95% of his time muda Track and Field Association cross-coun me. and work is changing light bulbs, attending try race. I say "thanks" to a great guy like you and room calls, clearing drains or completing any The aim to dominate this country by that other brothers who have supported myself handy job. In other words, this worker is element with tacit approval by a number of and the other presidents of the Amalgamated working under a hocus-pocus work permit. indigenous Bermudians should be dealt with Building and Construction Division of the It is a shame and a disaster and a liability by those who really care about the country's Bermuda Industrial Union. You brothers who that the blue collar worker, including trades- future. have retired, and those who look forward to Naturally, they are encouraged in this atti this day, really give me a nostalgic feeling of tude after liieir victory in getting Dr. Gerard pride to know that it was during my presi Bean kicked out of the Bermuda Olympic As dency that the Pension Plan for construction The }/\/orker$ Voice sociation. If there is no vigilance for this type workers came about. Published and Printed by of thing in order to combat it, then it is going to be even more evident than it is NOW, Brothers of Retirement, I would like to THE BERMUDA INDUSTRIAL UNION take this opportunity to congratulate you. Union Square, Hamilton, Bermuda which is very bad already in every other de cent aspect of Bermuda life. I am sure this May your future days always be spent with a Editor Dr. Barbara B. Ball concerns both black and white. view to building a better Bermuda by way of an extended hand supporting the Labour Assistants Lionel Pearman and Fraternally, Movement in Bermuda. May God's richest Doreen Lightbourn ROSS TUZO blessings be with you always. General Council Representatives: George I remain, fraternally, Dear Madam: Smith, Shirlene Scott & Vonda Burgess BROTHER WENDELL HASSELL The headline of Monday, March 16, 1987 President of the A.B.C. Division Telephone: 2-0044, Ext. 121 which went on to outline How Senator Marsh all favours Independence is the most irrespon PRIDAY, APRILS, 1987 sible piece'of journalism I have ever seen in UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE FALL » Director of Municipal Credit Union pays courtesy Board, Brother Garfield is Assistant Treasurer Many of the directors of the MCU (there and serves as chairman on the Loan Service, are twelve of them) are tilso presidents of Search and Retreat Committees. He is also large trade unions. visit to CU on Vice Chairman of the Fiscal Policy Commit The object of the retreat — to be held here tee and a member of the Reports and Audits 13 — 17 May — is to assess the progress of the Union Square Committee. Credit Union and to plan for future growth. The longest serving director on the Board of the Municipal Credit Union in the City of New York, was in Bermuda recently, to make arrangements for a retreat for all the direc tors and their spouses, to be held here in early May. Brother Julian I. Garfield and his wife, Anne Marie, took time out to visit the BIU Credit Union office and to talk with chairman Brother Austin Wade and several of the direc tors and with Workers Voice. A native of New York, Bro. Garfield has been married ten years to his present wife. He has seven children by a previous marriage. "1 gained my family like instant coffee!" says Anne Marie. There are six boys and one girl, who range in age from 22 to 35 years of age. SAFETY AND HEALTH MEETING. Participants at a recent International Labour Organisa- Brother Garfield told us that he has been tion/DANIDA-sponsored conference are pictured at the Barbados Workers Union Headquarters a director of the Municipal Credit Union for during discussions on occupational safety and health. Representing the ILO were Brothers 16 years, although the present Board of Dir Neils Envoldsen and Alan Le Serve, while regional representatives included Sister Vereen ectors has only been serving for the past three Thomas (Montserrat), Brothers Paul Hines (Jamaica), Christian Frederick (Dominica), Joseph years. Jones (St. Kitts), Derek Allard (Grenada), Geoff Venner (St. Vincent), Tony Rocheford (Bar "The reason for this is that, back in 1977, bados) and Lionel Pearman (Bermuda). The topic was Methods and Techniques and Safety the New York Banking Department took over Training in Workers' Education - Evaluation. (See report below). our Credit Union, including control of all our assets, because of alleged "internecine war fare among the Directors at that time" he ex Pearman attends ILO-DANIDA plained. However, in 1983, the members of the Credit Union took over the direction of their OSH conference in Barbados activities. Brother Lionel Pearman recently returned was considered too short for consolidating the from a two-day conference on occupational results. So the project was extended to a total EXPANDING OPERATIONS safety and health in Bridgetown, Barbados. of five years and is scheduled to finish this Today, the MCU is the largest Credit Union Pearman (pictured) told The Workers Voice year." in the State of New York and among the top that the International Labour Organisation/ Brother Pearman explained that some of ten in the United States, with about 230,000 Danish International Development Agency- the more important achievements of the members and approximately $250 million in sponsored meeting made some important project included the publishing of a training assets. decisions relative to the promulgation of this manual specifically for the Caribbean region, It gives out loans up to $15,000, and more topic. a film "Prevention is Better Than Cure", and if secured. There are VISA credit cards, auto He said: "The first phase of this project on short promotion films for use on television. matic teller machines and fast track checking. occupational safety and health ran from Aug "The object of this Barbados meeting was An affiliate of CUNA (with which the BIU ust 1982 to August 1984 and an evaluation to give country reports and formulate recom Members Credit Union Is affiliated), the MCU meeting in January of 1984 concluded that, mendations that will determine whether or is planning to go into mortgage loans — main although the project achieved to create a con not the project will continue to be funded by ly providing finders' fees, and is presently siderable awareness of these safety and health DANIDA for at least another year", Pearman considering providing home equity, because problems in the Caribbean region, two years said. "The conclusions were positive, but the of the new tax law, enacted in the U.S. earlier final decision will be made by DANIDA" this year. Asked for his opinion on whether these Brother Garfield, who was a member of seminars on occupational safety and health Local 100 of the Transport Workers' Union have been beneficial to Bermuda, Pearman AFL-CIO for a number of years, was instru said: "First of all, I'd like to express myap- mental in opening up payroll deductions to preciation to the teaching profession. Until the Credit Union for hospital, transit and recendy, I had taken the dissemination of bridge and tunnel employees, "The police and knowledge for granted, but I now have a fire department, and all general city employ clearer understanding of what teachers have ees come under the Mayor's office, but they to go through to get their students to retain all participate in our Credit Union", he told what is taught to them. On the other hand, us. I feel that the message is getting through that He says his wife is a hard-working personal safety and health is just as important as the assistant. "She's my chief volunteer!" pay packet, vacation and other fringe bene As well as serving as a Director on the fits that are received by the workers. Now • OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO riD* that we have an Act and Regulations, the workers are beginning to appreciate the im portance of making sure that thotr workplaces IT PAYS TO are safe and healthy. Yes. I behove my over seas training has been beneficial." Pearman added, however, that employers WEAR YOU need to get the same type of training because, as he puts its, "some of these chaps don"t know the difference between a safety helmet HARD HAT! and a sombrero!" 4 The Workers Voice. Friday. April 3. 1987 'Comrades of ffie struggle' fo be remembered SERVICE PLANNED FOR MAY Supporters of the labour movement m Ber- Austin Wilson, a pioneer of the local labour ter, Gerald Brangman, William Davis, Allan muda, and Gordonites, in particular, have set movement, told The Workers Voice of the Russell will be cited for their contribution to aside Sunday, May 3 to attend a memorial plans. "Under the chairmanship of Brother the cause of the workers in Bermuda. "We felt service in the St. Paul A.M.E. Centennial Hall Collin Simmons and assisted by Mr. Dale But- that a memorial service with eulogies, prayers to honour and pay homage to "comrades who Ier, our group decided to pay homage to the and lots of songs would be a worthwhile ges- fell during the struggle to reform our Island late brothers and sisters of the labour move- ture", said Wilson. home". ment who passed on while being quite active An offering will be taken, said Wilson, and This was disclosed this week when Brother in the area of social, political and economic the proceeds will be equally divided between • oooooooooooooooooooo« reform." the Bishop Tutu Fund and St. Paul's building o Brother Wilson, who is one of the founders fund. Individuals taking part in the service in- o of the Bermuda Workers Association (out of elude Messrs. Walter Robinson, Albert Smith, o which the BIU was formed) and who is em- Charles Bean, Senator Hugh Richardson, Otti- o ployed by the Union, said that labourites such well Simmons and Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans, o as Dr. Gordon, Leonard Bascome, Willie Payn- The service is scheduled for 4.00 p.m. l: NEED BIG BUCKS? = : : Get a top Government /ob.' :

° * [Editor's note: The following article, which contains the salaries of top civil servants ° * in Bermuda, is a repeat of an article that appeared in the May 20, 1983 edition The Work- ° * ers Voice. It has been updated to include the present salaries being received by these posi- o * ' * Q * Many citizens are today wondering whether we can afford the government we have. « Q * Or whether we really are getting value for our money. Since the beginning of "responsi- ^ tQ ^ ble" govemment in 1968, the departments of govemment have grow'n and multiplied. Yet « Q * the benefits and services which we receive from the expenditure of our tax dollar do not « o o * appear to have increased at the same rate. * ^ DR. EDGAR FITZGERALD GORDOIM ^ ^ We should ask ourselves seriously: what are all these departments of govemment? * Q , o * -^d can we continue to pay the increasing costs of their expansion? Or, are we, in fact, « o .^flflHBl^. o * helping to perpetuate govemment by a particular political party, by providing a more « o .jUi^^^^lBBk. o * ^^^^ comfortable living to many who appear to believe that they hold their job at the >|: Q J^^BI^^^^^^^Bk o * Pl^ûre of the United Bermuda Party Govemment leaders? * Q #^^^^^^^^^^|H O * R would be an interesting exercise to discover whether we really have a true copy of * o » * ^^^^^^^^H o * the Westminister-type of govemment in Bermuda. Or whether we have only the outward * o I '^^^^^HB O * tiâppi'^gs of such a govemment and the reality is closer to the American style of govern- * o \ •^'^^sKKî^îk o * ™®^t — when the Republicans are in, the Republicans get the jobs and vice versa. For the * o \ jili^^^^^^H^ ||f o * information of our readers, The Workers Voice is publishing here a list of some of top * o ^flfli^^^^H^ y o * civil servants, showing their WEEKLY salaries as at 1983/1984 and 1986/1987. The * o ^^HnHi^^K^. ife- o * increases are effective from April to AprU each year. * o ;^^H^HfejP ° * POST 1983/1984 1986/1987 * ^ I^HH^HR ° * Chief Justice $1,205.36 $1,436.30 * ° ^^^K^^ml ° * ^"o"^^y General 1,153.44 1,374.42 ^ ° ^, TIT JBUT" T ° * Permanent Secretaries (Education, Health and Home Affairs). . . 1,056.28 1,258.65^ M % '^ W^^' " \ ^ Commissioner of Police 1,056.28 1,258.65 ^ ° % \- \ * Director of Public Works 1,056.28 1,258.65 ^ ° 'h^ § ^ ^ttlHii" * Iîiêctor of Tourism 1,056.28 1,258.65 * ° ^ ^ Ml^^Miff O ^ Accountant General 1,010.76 1,152.57 ^ ° LEONARD BASCOME ° ^ Dkector of Agriculture and Fisheries 1,010.76 *1,204.42 * ° =^3 ° ^ Director of Personnel Services 1,010.76 1,204.42 # ° ^^^^ V> ° ^ Commissioner of Prisons 1,010.76 1,204.42 * o .^MlPl^^^ o * Director of Civil Aviation 967.26 lil52.57 I ° m- JO^Bk ° * ^^^^- f'i^^cial Secretaries (three) 925.59 1,204.42 * ° ^t ^^HHÎI ° * Deputy Police Commissioner 925.59 1,102.94 * ° \ .^^^^^^^-^gal^^^^B ° * Director of Public Transport 925.59 1,102.94 *

^ JI^I^^I^^H ° * Deputy Director of Public Works 925.59 1,102.94 «

° ^^^^^m ^^^F ^^^^^k ° ** l^i^^ctor of Community Services 885.75 1,055.44 :,.

° ^BHB»i^^^B^^^^H o * Deputy Director of Tourism 885.50 1,102.94 * o WILLIAM (POP) PAYNTER o*' ..****** •oooooooooooooooooooo. ************************************************* J The Workers Voice. Friday, April 3.1987 5 THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE It is clear that one factor in the defeat of mockery of the prospect of an independent UBP Senator Charles Marshall, in the race for Bermuda. In this scurrilous paper, he likened the "safe" UBP seat in Smith's North (apart Bermuda's going independent to a takeover By Aim WILUAIiliS from the feeling in the grass roots base of the of Bermuda by the Gombey dancers. UBP, that Marshal! is a "Swan man"} was his And of course, countries in the West Ind have something that the Bermudian people alleged support for independence for Bermu ies were held up as examples of what could have yet to achieve. And this, despite our da. happen to Bermuda If we went independent. relative wealth, as compared to many of the Senator Marshall's bid for that seat was de In the eyes of white Bermudians, the Carib countries in that part of the world. feated by the independence "bogeyman". De bean has always been regarded as what could That "something" is a real confidence in spite the fact that, for some time now, rum happen to Bermuda, simply because the black ourselves and our ability to run our own af ors have been flying around that the Swan majorities in those Islands had long ago over fairs, and to exist in a world (as other people administration has been negotiating secretly thrown British rule and the small white popu exist) in a state of independence. for independence for Bermuda. lations that had held the power previously. That is what keeps any rational debate on ''^In fact, that issue on independence has LACK OF CONFIDENCE independence hostage to bogymanism. For reached such a pitch in UBP circles, that, at It is true that some Caribbean countries it is a falsehood, that holds the issue of inde a recent UBP Speaker's dinner, the Governor have had to go through some difficult phases pendence hostage, when the opportunity ex himself, had to come out with a denial that of economic and political development, as ists, to free it and to lead Bermuda forward any such secret negotiations were going on. they led their countries into the future. into the future. Of course, this fevered speculation on the But the peoples of thq Caribbean today ======(Continued on page 6)======subject of independence is being fuelled by a deep feeling, emongst the traditional, UBP grass roots political base, that their interests which are anti-independence and, in many ways, anti-Bermudianisation, are being threa Nina's paper on rape tened — although they don't come right out and say sol They feel that their interests are being pushed out of the centre of power by those presented to class in their own Party, who support "Swanism". pregnant and hating the unborn child, because They believe that premier John Swan, if not of the circumstances of its conception. "brought to heel", will commit the ultimate Sometimes the rape victims are too asham betrayal of their interests, by talking Bermu ed to tell the police, of what occurred. But da into independence. those who do (report it) are faced with the It must be said here that, within the UBP horrifying task of proving that they were rap itself, it is not just black UBP supporters who ed, and relating the actual experience over are at odds with the white and status Bermu and over again. dian majority. For premier Swan also has his Another blow to rape victims is that most white supporters within the Party, who sup rapists get very light sentences, or no sentence port his policies — including the speculated at all, if the woman cannot prove that what support for independence. transpired between her and her attacker actu Of late, the anti-Swan camp have had their ally took place. suspicions heightened by an announcement from the UBP Government, that it is to hold HELP FOR RAPE VICTIMS further discussions on independence, and There are several forms of rape. One horri that a thind Paper on the subject is likely to fying form is child molesting. Anyone that be presented to the country in the near fut molests a child has got to have serious pro ure. blems. The number of children that get molested CRUDE MOCKERY and fully recover is not very high. The pun The first Green Paper on Independence ishment for this type of rape if very harsh. was presented to Parliament in 1977, by the Women and girls are not the only ones that then premier of the UBP, Sir John Sharpe. are faced with this nightmare. Sometimes, That Paper dealt with the consitutional young boys are subjected to this form of deg advances made in Bermuda since 1973, and radation. listed the possible options open to Bermuda, The number of rapes that take place in if a move was made towards independence. prison, to prisoners is shameful. It has become Some other areas discussed in the Paper, like a regular occurrence. Prison officers are were future Bermudian relations with the Un Recently, students in the Third West class trying to stop this terrible nightmare that new ited Nations and the Commonwealth Secret at the Berkeley Institute were required to pre prisoners sometimes have to go through. ariat, as well as the issues of citizenship, nat sent a paper, on any subject they chose, to In fact, quite a lot of action has been taken ionality and passports. their classmates and before a video camera. to see that rape is brought down to a minim Defence and internal security were also dis Following is a paper on "Rape" presented um everywhere. cussed and, of course, the possible impact on by 14-year-old Nina Jacobs, daughter of Sister Unfortunate rape victims get the best treat Bermuda's economy, if we became independ Shirley (BIU Members' Credit Union officer) ment possible and every possible attempt is ent. and Brother Milton Jacobs: made to find their attacker. Back in 1977, the debate on independence "Goodmorning teachers and fellow stud There are several numbers that a rape vic was greeted with ridicule and scoffed at as an ents. 1 have come to bring vour attention to tim can call, to get help. One of them being unnecessary intrusion into what was an other a horrifying and degradinij experience that "Helpline", which is open 24 hours a day, wise well-run country — or so the anti-indep women — and sometimes men — go through on 5-5159. There is also "DIal-a-prayer" if endence element would have us believe. every day. What I have ''- ' to talk about is you are in need of spiritual guidance. That While the UBP Government took what I Rape. number is 975. felt was a sterile approach to independence, as "Rape" is the unlav j' ..:«i:al intercourse There are several other numbers you can set out in the Green Paper, the anti-independ with a woman wothout her consent. It is- call. For example. Family Services, 6 0224, ence element carried out a loud and scurrilous chiefly made by force or deception. Women Police, 5-0011 and Community Ad campaign against independence. The rape statistics are alarmingly high, and vice Centre, 2-1343. One of the most vocal of the "antis", was the number of women vJio do not recover Thank you for allowing me to come and the late Mr. Donald Smith, who even went so emotionally from that evpenence, is drastic. have this talk with you, and I sincerely hope far as to produce his own paper on independ For some of the rape victims, the horror that none of you have ever had, or will ever ence, headlined "In-depen-dance" — a crude never ends, as they sometimes fmd themselves have to go through that sort of degradation.

^ ^ 6 The Workers Voice. Friday, April 3, 1987 BAHP presents panel discussion on Women The Bermuda Association of Helping Pro fessions (BAFTP) will be presenting a panel discussion on Women's Changing Roles: How They Affect the Bermudian Family, on Wed nesday, April 8, 1987 at 7.00 p.m. The discussion, which will be held at the Chamber of Commerce on Front Stree, will feature premier, the Honourable John Swan, who will speak on Government's Role in Deal ing with Women's Problems in Bermuda. Other panellists will be Angie Hayward, "Assertiveness as a Tool for Women", Karen Lomas, "Women and the Legal System" and NEW BUILDING FIRST. A shop steward seminar, which was the first to be held in the Dr. E. Conchita Ming, "Women's Rights in Bermu F. Gordon Memorial Hall in the new BIU building, took place two weeks ago. Members who da". participated in the event are shown above and they are: Brothers Mark Monk, Clarence Light bourne Jr., Gilbert DeCosta, Maurice Caines Jr., Brian Scott, Charles Williams, Edward Wolffe; Sisters Diane Peterson, Debra Fox, Joan Brown and Ruby Mallory. BIU Education Officer, Calvert Bean is also pictured. The seminar was opened and blessed by Brother George Smith, ANNIVERSARIES president of the General Division. Congratulations and best wishes to: Sister Islow Wade, Hotel Division, and her husband, Arthur (Heads), on the occasion of THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE their wedding anniversary which they celebra = (Continued from page 5)======than with the consequence of our geograph- ted March 31, That opportunity exists, partly because ical position. This has enabled us to develop « • • of a political formula, that supposedly holds an economy based on tourism, because of Brother Collin (BIU Treasurer) and Sister the political order in place (an order that our close proximity to the American market. Shirlene Simmons, who celebrated their 9th claims that Bermuda is a British colony, and Another factor, perhaps, is the smallness of wedding anniversary April 2. And to their son Britain is the "Mother" country; out there to oUr country that, along with a strong trade Ajani, who will be celebrating his birthday April 5. protect us and always in a position to hold union moverment, has drawn most Bermud us up, if we ran into trouble or did ourselves ians into the economy. in) has become less of a factor in the overall Bermudians must stop regarding Bermuda issue. as a "dependent" country. The economic act Because we like to believe that there is ivity that goes on here, not only provides em BIU Taxi some type of "safety net" out there, in case ployment for thousands of non-Bermudians, we fall, we don't feel the need to develop con but we Bermudians participate in the world fidence in ourselves. Or to regard ouselves as economy, through the goods we buy. an independent entity, capable of working Japan gets thousands of Bermudian dollars for the cars it sells us. The Americans get the cc5itop out our own problems, without having to get someone from outside to do it for us. use of our land for their Bases, for little more Union Street • Hamilton At any rate, the figure of Britain as a final than the cost of what it takes to maintain arbiter in Bermudian affairs, is a receding op those bases. tion — if indeed, there ever was such an op Also, Bermuda is an important market for tion, in Britain's post World War 11 era. the Americans, in terms of the food we im port from the United States, and we provide NOT DEPENDENT dollars for the American tourist market our The irony underlining the whole issue of selves. independence for Bermuda is the fact that, As Bermudians, we must begin to look at for the most part, we have been running our the world around us, in terms of our impact own internal affairs for some time now. on it and stop regarding ourselves as a "de One of the few exceptions is in the matter pendent" people. of external affairs, which are still in the hands Only in this way, will we arrive at the point of Britain. where we lose our fear of going it alone and, We never hear what Bermuda has going for thereby, gain confidence enought to make Phone: 2-4476 it, in the matter of independence, nor the fact an independent Bermuda work. that Bermuda Is one of the few countries that • 000000000000000000000000000000000000 000 is in the best position to take such a step. o The Bermudian economy is stable, provid o ing full employment, not only for its own o Subscribe fo people, but for thousands of non-Bermudians, o (This has been a plus in one way, although it o The Workers Voice has had some bad side effects for Bermuda's o society, in that it has brought Bermudians in o I enclose $6.00 for one (1) year's subscription to THE WORKERS VOICE to conflict with non-Bermudians). But there o you have it. o Name. As an independent country, Bermuda o would not have to face many of the problems o Address that other newly-independent countries have o had to cope with. Problems dealing with eco o nomic development and the necessity of put o Overseas subscription: $9.50 for one year ting into place a basic social infrastructure, o to which a previously rural population may o Mail to: THE WORKERS VOICE not have had access. 0 Bermuda's fortuitous position has less to o c/o The Bermuda Industrial Union, Union Square, Hamilton HMIO, Bermuda do with the fact of our being a British colony, 000000000000000000000000000000000000000 (

The Workers Voice. Friday, April 3, 1987 7 BERMUDIANISATION: ENGAGED FACT OR FICTION? By CALVIN SMITH What is Bermudianisation? For me, Bermudianisation is a policy of government which has the object of ensuring that decision-making with respect to how we are governed, how we make a living, and how we are protected, Is made by Bermudians. When Bermudianisation is examined in this context, I contend that the Bermudianisation policy has generally been successful. For instance, Bermudianisation of the government is much more fact than fiction. Consider, Bermuda receives no budgetary handouts from Eng land; its Parliament is elected almost entirely by Bermudians; Ministers of government are appointed by the Premier; and permanent secretaries and department heads are almost entirely Bermudian. In fact, given the extent to which the management and financial underpinnings of the Bermuda government are Bermudian, one wonders why the United Bermuda Party is so terri fied about entering into independence. Our high living standards depend upon the health of two export industries - tourism and international finance. Bermudians are very much in con trol of how these industries develop and whom they benefit. For example, despite the existence of many foreign-owned hotels, the success of the tourist industry reflects a healthy partnership between government and the foreign owners. The thriving offshore business was developed by Bermudians and Bermudians own and manage the financial, legal and accounting firms which continue to service this business. PROTECTED BY GREAT BRITAIN Bermudianisation is a fiction when It comes to the maintenance of law and order. We con tinue to be protected by Great Britain from both internal and external threats even though Bermudians head up internal security forces. Still, that fiction could quickly become fact SISTER DAISY MAE BURGESS, who works should Bermuda's paranoid government opt for independence. at the Co-op Supermarket, and Floyd Grimes Since there is so much progress toward Bermudianisation, why does the average Bermu of the U.S. Naval Station, were engaged on dian perceive the opposite? Some reasons for this perception are: The large and growing for March 25. They plan a 1988 spring or summer eign work-force; and the highly visible foreign managerial and professional staffs. This is sup wedding. Congratulations, Daisy Mae! ported by data from government's manpower surveys which is reproduced in the accompany ing table. From 1978 to 1986 — a period of only nine years — the foreign work-force has grown from 17% (all workers) to 21%. This growth rate will increase in the future since the Bermu dian work-force is growing very slowly. The table also shows that the proportion of foreign

SHARE OF JOBS HELD BY BERMUDIANS AND NON-BERMUDIANS 1986 COMPARED WITH 1978

Categories of Workers Bermudians Non-Bermudians All Workers

PERCENTAGE: AUGUST 1978 Managers 76% 24% 100% Professional & Technical 58% 42% 100% All Other Workers. 87% 13% 100% All Workers 83% 17% 100%

PERCENTAGE: AUGUST 1986 Managers 71% 29% 100% Professional & Technical 58% 42% 100% All Other Workers 83% 17% 100% All Workers 79% 21% 100%

workers in jobs other than managerial or professional have grown from 13% of the work-force to 17%, thereby taking up the slack left by the slow growing Bermuda work-force. FOREIGN WORKERS HAVE NOT LOST GROUND Of even more importance is the fact that despite the significant numbers of Bermudians entering the professional and managerial ranks, foerign workers have not lost ground! Foreign managers were 24% of the work-force In 1978 and Increased their share to 29% in 1986. In the professional occupations, they held their share of jobs at 42% over the nine-year period. It is this highly visible presence of foreign workers in the middle-management and profes HOW ABOUT THIS! Our camera caught this sional ranks that gives Bermudians the feeling that foreigners dominate all aspects of Bermu very obvious contravention of the Health and dian society. These findings suggest some hard questions: Safety at Work Act at a Hamilton auto garage. • Why do Bermuda's political and business managers continue to expand the economy The picture shows oil drums blocking a door even though they are fully aware that this will mean increasing numbers of foreign that is ostensibly an exit from the paint shop. workers? ' Our photographer attempted to open the door from the inside but it was either nailed • Why does the Bermuttia government make no attempt to curb economic expansion that or sealed shut. Note that the door doesn't is labour intensive? have a handle or knob. This is just one of the • Why does the Bermuda government show little concern that its expansionist policy will obvious violations existing at that particular increase the demand for foreign workers which in turn will put pressure on housing and garage. worsen an already bad traffic situation? • Given the strong and continuing demand for professional and managerial staffs, why hasn't the Bermuda government shown more imagination in training Bermudians to meet this demand? Think about it, my fellow Bermudians . . . this government and its business partners are taking you for a ride. And believe me, it's no free ridel

^ 8 %The Workers Voice. Friday, April 3, 1987 BOAT WOMAN tfrganiser hits ======(Continued from page 1)======rights of these workers. Nor do they seem to" have the authority to take action against any ======(Continued from page 1)======The chefs have to wash the pots and pans employer who quite opep.ly flouts the gener Permanent Secretary for Labour and Home and clean the kitchen, and the waiters are res ally accepted labour standards accepted in Affairs, met with Union officials February 19 ponsible for keeping the restaurant clean. Bermuda. this year. The waiters get $750 per month and the The five workers at Ding Ho have no pro "At that meeting, the Union representa chefs get $800 per month. The 15% gratuities vision for sick leave or holidays with pay tives presented a list of potentially explosive are deducted, to pay for their accommodat and, though they were told in Hong Kong problems (including those at Sonesta) to the ion — a cottage owned by the Connollys. Ms. that they were being employed on a three- committee, and urged the committee to ad Connolly also deducts $50 per month from year contract, none of them has seen any dress the problems as soon as possible". each workers' pay "to save money, so tfiey sign of any such contract since their arrival will have some money to go home with." Since then, the Union has heard nothing in Bermuda. ftirther from the committee. Union organiser. Brother Austin Wade told The Ding Ho is one of the restaurants in Referring to the statement made by John Workers Voice that the Union has appealed Bermuda where it has long been accepted Harvey, Hotel Association Executive Officer, to the Immigration Department, on behalf that foreign workers may be employed, and to the effect that the Union had broken the of Tommy Tang, but, to date has received that does not deprive Bermudian workers of collective ^reement and acted in an irrespon no reply. It has since been learned that the a job. "The Chinese restaurants and Chinese sible manner, Sister Burgess remarked, "Mr. Chief Immigration Officer has left the Island. workers have long been a part of the Bermu Harvey, at least should be weU aware of the Said Wade, "There is no doubt that Tom da scene", said Brother Wade. many occasions, when Union ofticials have my is being penalized for organising his fellow Meanwhile, one Chinese worker is being had to deal with tensions in the work place, workers, and trying to stand up for their hum penalized for his membership in the Bermuda caused directly by management's breaking an rights." He said it was a sorry reflection on Industrial Union, and it is understood that of the collective agreement." Bermuda, wheiira|Ty Workers in this Island the Vietnamese boat person has already been could be so bUtianffy exploited and threaten In fact, she said, on one occasion, Mr. Har in telephone communication with Hong Kong ed, while being denied recourse to some form vey himself created a problem at Marriotts with a view to bringing over some more wor of help. hotel. "He was approached by the manager kers - no doubt to replace the four workers of that hotel, with regard to the creation of DOUBLE STANDARDS already here , simply because they dared to a new category of worker. And he advised It appears that the Bermuda Government join a trade union. the manager to go ahead and create the new and, more specifically, the Minister for Immi category and the wage rate, without negot gration and Home Affairs, Sir John Sharpe, iating first with the BIU". are powerless to take steps to protect the Discover your credit union. Sister Bui^ess pointed out that Mr. Harvey We're doing more for you. is weU aware of the Article 3D, in the collec tive agreement, that is very specific about IT PAYS TO WEAR YOUR HARD HAT Union officials being consulted about any proposed new categories. MANAGEMENT CREATES PROBLEMS "I find it hard to believe that Mr. Popper, manager at Sonesta, was unaware of the ten LIBERTY THEATRE sions existing amongst his staff, when it is no secret that industrial relations at that hot presents el are worse than at any other hotel in the Island", said Sister Burgess. She claims that Mr. Popper's actions were He's survived the most hostile and directly responsible for several of the prob primitive land known to man. lems that existed. Some time ago, he made arrangements with his dining room staff, one Now all he's got to do is of which included getting rid of the Bermu make it through a week in New York. dian maitre d', which he did. "But he did not fulfil other promises, and that has left the dining room staff dissatisfied and angry.'* she said. Another action of his upset his housekeep ing staff. "They had been laid off for three months, without pay, because of renovations to the hotel. Yet, when it was time for the rooms to be cleaned, in readiness for the op There's a little of him in all of us. ening of the hotel, Mr. Popper did not call in -jf the regular maids and housemen. Instead, he employed a private firm to do the job." i 1986TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX The staff had not received their holiday pay for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Da/ and finally, they had not received PG the raise in wages, negotiated in the collective agreement, by March 27, this year, when the new wages should have come into effect on February' 25. Showing froi Said an angry Sister Burgess, "Our member ship have become increasingly frustrated with management's KNOWINGLY breaking the collective agreement. And, when the workers protest, telling them 'If you don't like it — grieve it!', or "Do it, and then grieve it!". She pointed out that it would be in the inter 6 est of all concerned and of industrial relations Bda. Library as a whole, if problems were settled at the Queen Street point where they were identified. l?:.';i/f/ i^am i 1 ton