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