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LABOUR PARTY COX SEPT. 21

L,AI\IDIDATE IN THE AND GIVE SANDYS

SANDYS NORTH PARISH ANOTHER

BY-ELECTION . . . GOOD MAN!

Vol. 6 - No. 1. HAMILTON, BERMUDA - FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1976 Price: 15 cents

RBITRATION of the dispute between the image is cherished and fostered by the Amer­ A sanitation workers of the Public Works Div­ MINISTER FAILS ican Arbitration Association. ision of the Bermuda Industrial Union and the The Minister's action in this case should Bermuda Government began last week and is bring home to the workers of Bermuda that now in the hands of the Arbitration Tribunal. TO APPOINT arbitration in Bermuda is designed to suppress The Arbitration Tribunal is headed by Mr. and repress trade unions, using 'community Lawrence E. Seibil, an arbitrator from the Unit­ IMPARTIAL interest' as a cloak to hide his (Or her) Gov­ ed States, assisted by two employer-orientated ernment's real intentions. persons: Messrs. E. T. Sayer (former editor of The Chairman of this Arbitration Tri­ The Royal Gazette) and John I. Pearman (Man­ TRIBUNAL bunal has allowed himself to be put in an in­ ager of Holmes, Williams & Purvey Garage and vidious position which must raise doubts in Vice President of the Employers Council). The question may well be raised as to the many minds as to his own impartiality. The fact that there are two labour repre­ position of the Chairman, who has obviously If the Bermuda Government wishes ar­ sentatives on the Panel — chosen by other consented to sit with this type of a Tribunal. bitration to be an acceptable method of re­ Unions—has been completely ignored by the The Bermuda Industrial Union is well solving disputes then it must cease in its at­ Minister of Labour and Immigration, who, on aware that an Arbitrator is supposed to be an tempts to suppress and repress workers and this occasion has blatantly shown the extent impartial person who should not only be im­ restore the trade union rights which have been of his own bias. partial, but must be seen to be impartial. This destroyed by the present Labour Legislation.

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This photo shows the crumpled crane boom which crashed down on the 'FreakA twrompts BIU site of the Provident Bank building recently. This is one of the accidents that prompted the BIU to call for Call for Sa hty Legislation safety and health legislation. The second industrial accident within a "A letter received yesterday from the Min­ opinion that your job is unsafe, then you week has prompted the Bermuda Industrial istry of Labour and Immigration informed us should bring the matter to the attention of Union to repeat its call for safety and health that'. . . the incident at the bank was merely a your employer or raise a grievance with your legislation. The BIU has been appealing to Gov­ freak accident, therefore in the circumstances shop steward before risking an accident. ernment for many years for some type of law the Minister does not think that a special com­ "The Bermuda Industrial Union is press­ o to protect workers on job sites. mission of inquiry is likely to add any more ing for health and safety legislation and, as Following the two accidents which oc­ pertinent information than is already known'. such, it has an important part to play in acci­ curred recently, the BIU President, 0. A. Sim­ "In view of the Ministry's decision re­ dent prevention: but it isa fallacy to think mons, last week appealed to employers and garding this incident, the Bermuda Industrial that it is a panacea. We should point out that workers to check on machinery and working Union is making an appeal to all employers passing a law does not prevent a man from conditions, He said: and workers to please carry out a thorough ex­ contracting a disease or becoming involved in "Yesterday's (August 16) accident at amination of their machinery and general work­ an accident. The first prerequisite of acci­ the Waterlot restaurant further exemplifies ing environment, to ensure their safety and dent prevention is safety consciousness on the urgency for human safety at the work health. the part of all the people working, from the place. "To the workers especially, we appeal to managing director down to the youngest em­ "The Bermuda Industrial Union, only vou to ensure that your jobs are safe from ployee. a few days ago, called for a special commiss­ the possibility of industrial accidents and oc­ "To this end, the Bermuda Industrial ion of inquiry into the causes of the accident cupational diseases. If it is your reasonable Union will endeavour to print short articles in at the Provident Bank site, where it was re­ The Workers Voice, in order to increase this ported that a worker almost suffered a fatal See "Guidelines To Safety" - Page 7 consciousness of safety and health among em accident. ployers and workers." 2 THE WORKERS VOICE, Friday, August 27. 1976 ******* »^^i^^«*^^** * • * • • **i"i"i~i~"i~i~"'~'~'~*'*i'v'M'V'VVV^~M*w'V'«*u-uTj>ru-u'\j'\r_ruri>»jx/\riL^^ n The Workers Voice Compulsory Arbitration Following is a definition and explanat­ PUBLISHED AND PRINTED BY cause of deadlock on one or more issues, the THE BERMUDA INDUSTRIAL UNION ion of 'Compulsory Arbitration' from the law directs that government intervention UNION STREET, HAMILTON, BERMUDA International Confederation of Free Trade Un­ should impose compulsory arbitration on Editor Barbara Bali ions (ICFTU) Trade Union Handbook:- both parties, whether or not they like it.... Assistants Lionel Pearman, Doreen Lightboum "Although many trade unionists regard "Compulsory arbitration contains sever­ \-> General Council Representatives: the use of the right to strike as a method of al dangers, such as the temptation for Gov­ George Baisden, Kenneth Young and Austin Thomas lubricating the wheels of industrial democ­ ernment to dictate the award of its own arbi­ Telehone 2-00445-6-7, Ext. 19 racy, there have been attempts from time to trator, the danger of corruption of govern­ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ time, by wily and other-minded persons or ment arbirtrators by parties to a dispute, and groups, to reduce the principles and extent of the ever-present danger that trade union lead­ strikes by resort to compulsory arbitration. ers will be displaced by lawyers. In countries Compulsory arbitration simply means that where compulsory arbitration is either absol­ Financial when a labour dispute arises between the em­ utely or partially the rule, it is notable that ployer and trade union, and when it has been lawyers form a fairly large portion of the found impossible to resolve the dispute be- trade union leadership, inasmuch as winning

Si"t-^iniAi>%'>i'S^lN^^kA^a^^^M^VM^"> labour dilutes means spending much time Double Talk pleading cases before labour courts or gov­ ernment-appointed labour relations comm­ Our Finance Minister, Mr. David Gib­ ittees. bons, must feel extremely confident about "Subjection of collective bargaining to his party.s continuing in office for many judicial action in formal courts tends to stunt years to come. Otherwise, he would never the growth of trade unionism, particularly as have made the statement contained in the union members believe that all the union has Sun interview of Saturday, August 21. to do is hire a slid< lawyer or two and let the In this interview, the man candidly lawyers fight their problems in court! Further­ admits that the $30,000 per year which more, the growth of voluntary arbitration in the Financial Secretary receives would not many countries has represented a very real be sufficient for his (Gibbons) needs. He moral gain for democracy, in that employer states quite blandly that he has three chil­ and union, including government as an em­ dren abroad in secondary schools. Why? •fe ployer, resolve their disputes andmethods of Aren't the local secondary schools good '%> arbitration by mutual agreement and without enough for them? 'Af tha necessity of any intervention on the part Then, to add insult to injury, he of the law. calmly states that Bermuda's economy is recovering, and will recover further, IF the workers of Bermuda are content to ask for no more than 6% increase in their wages! i^-, --i:-!*.--. It would seem that David Gibbons and his ilk are so above and far removed from the daily lives and problems of the vast majoMiv in these islands, that his govern­ WHY COMPANIES MAKE ment's claim to being representative of the people of Bermuda would be laughable, if AN ISSUE OF UNION DUES it were not basically tragic for the hopes of the workers of Bermuda. In the same interview. Gibbons gives Pey Cheek his smug views on the average man in Berm:- WHhoutUiaen uda, and what he is doing. He states, "There is no doubt whatever that due to the low rate of inflation and the average increase in wages, there has been a real increase in in­ come for those who have been working." What about those who, through no fault of their own, have not been working? It is informative to note that, during the worst period of recent world inflation, both the governments of the United States and Great Britain, considered, the use of 'artificially induced unemployment' as a possible cure. The United States govern­ ment appear to have shelved this idea, (may­ be because it is election year), But, from re­ ports received from that country, it appears that the British Labour government (to their everlasting shame) may well be using unem­ ployment as a threat and a weapon to sub­ due the worker^, demands for better living Aft«r paying union diMS; standards. your profit por wook $4.75; The remarks made by Bermuda's Min­ your profit por year $247.00. ister of Finance give grounds for suspicion. that the UBP government may be follow­ ing the example of the British Government. Finally, if this Minister in a supposedly Don't lot Compony Propogonda mislMd yoiH- 'representative' government cannot afford to live on $30,000 per year, what right has he k doom't cost you-k pays you to bdong to alMon ... got to demand that those he 'represents' should be content to sweat and scrape for srmuda Jndjistrial BSnton an average of 37,000 to S8,000 per year? THE WORKERS VOICE, Friday, August 27, 1976 3 ILO Team Pays Visit o To Union George DePeana, who is now Caribbean Regional Adviser on Workers' Education with offices in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, recently paid a visit to Bermuda. Accompanying him was Asger Grandjean of Denmark, who has taken over the job of Sub-Regional Adviser recently held by Bro. DePeana. Bro. Grand­ jean will be stationed at the Trade Union Education Institute on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the second phase of the Caribbean Workers' Education Project (1976-1978) as well as to plan for seminars and other related activ­ ities in Bermuda.

l^^^^«^^iii^pi^g^g^l^l^^^^^l^^^^»^>^>^»^»^ The needs in the area of education were discussed at a meeting of the Joint Trade Union Education Committee — a body comprised of representatives of the Bermuda Industrial Union, Bermuda Public Service Basic Questions on Association, Bermuda Teachers' Union and the Musicians and Variety Artistes Union — of which BIU Education Officer, Stanley Lee, is co-ordinator. At the meeting, cer­ tain areas in which training should be con­ Bermuda's Economy ducted were identified and plans drawn up for a series of seminars beginning in early b) Devonshire — St. Georges How much do YOU know about the 1977. economy of your country? In order that you c) Pembroke - St. Georges During their stay in the island, the I LO may test your knowledge, we present below d) Pembroke — Hamilton team also held talks with Minister of Labour a list of ten basic questioris on the economy 8. The recent depreciation of the pound and Immigration, Mr. Jim Woolridge, Presi­ of Bermuda. sterling will mean that:- dent of BIU, Mr. Ottie Simmons, and Exec­ Read the question and then put a tick a) English exports to Bermuda utive Secretary of the Bermuda Employers' against the answer which you believe to be should be cheaper Council, Mr. Keith Jensen. the right one — a,b,c or d. b) Bermudians travelling to England 1. The body or institution responsible for should find their dollars go Our photograph shows the men from the Inter­ the issuing of Bermuda's currency is:- further. national Labour Organisation (ILO) chatting a) The Bermuda Government c) Bermuda's move to have its curr­ with BIU officials. From left: President Otti­ b) The Bermuda Monetary Authority ency on parity with the US dollar well Simmons, Grandjean, Stanley Lee and De­ c) The Finance Minister has been of great benefit to Ber­ Peana. mudians. d) The Bank of Bermuda Ltd. •.^fc^»>^—-*.•*•*- 2. Which of the following currencies are d) All of the above legal tender in Bermuda? 9. Institutions such as the Bermuda Build­ a) U'S'dollars ing Society, Rego Savings & Trust Ltd., John HOW ABOUT b) Canadian dollars Swan Savings Co. all form a part of Bermuda's c) Bermuda dollars a) Capital Market THAT! d) All of the above b) Money Market 3. The maximum rate of interest in Bermu­ c) Banking System The Workers Voice is currently try­ da, as imposed by law is:- d) Stock Exchange ing to do a survey on the employment/unem­ a) 2y2% 10. According to Professor George Roberts ployment situation, with regard to Bermud­ b) 7% of the University of the West Indies:- ian workers. c) 11% a) Bermuda firmly exercises control In the pursuit of our enquiries, we rarig d) 13%% over both mortality and fertility. the Bermuda Library and asked if any Ber­ b) The question may be raised whether mudians had applied for the job of library 4. Bermuda's non-institutional civilian pop­ the present demographic and social assistant, recently advertised in the daily ulation (that is, excluding those in hospital position provides the type and vol­ paper. We were informed by the Head Lib­ and prison) in 1970 was:- ume of labour needed for the econ­ rarian that she doubted whether we could a) 52,976 omy obtain that information but that we should b) 42,640 c) Another aspect of external migration check with the Permanent Secretary for Ed­ c) 52,330 calling for study concerns the outward ucation. d) 55,000 movement from the country of young We then rang the Attorney General's 5. The birth rate m Bermuda has fallen persons. office with regard to Bermudians who might c from 30.4 in 1950 to in 1975 have applied for the two advertised posts of d) All of the above a) 16.1 Parliamentary Counsel and Crown Counsel. b) 19.7 Keep this copy of The Workers Voice with We were referred to the Personnel Office of c) 18.34 your answers and check with the correct ans­ the Cabinet Office, and spoke with a Mr. d) 15.0 wers which we will be publishing in our next Millward, who informed us that he was leav­ 6. The current unemployment situation ip edition. ing Bermuda, but noted our question and Bermuda is a direct result of immobility of said he would refer it to the proper author­ labour due to a lack of :- ity. a} geographical mobility Later, a Mr. Rout from the office, rang b) industrial mobility the office of The Workers Voice and inform­ c) occupational mobility Wear Your ed us that he had checked with the Secretary 7. The majority of Bermuda's population to the Cabinet, who had stated that the num­ resides in The smallest number of bers of any Bermudians who may apply for the population resides in any advertised post is STRICTLY CONFIN- a) Pembroke — Southampton Union Button ENTIAL! 4 THE WORKERS VOICE. Friday, August 27, 197_S

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A very interesting open air meeting was held in pate in the Karate tournament in New York. I Several Speakers Talk on had to fill out their basic embarkation forms Victoria Park, Cedar Avenue, last week that saw sev­ \y eral speakers take the podium and give their opinions Developing Our Potential for them. And two of those kids were still go­ about "Developing Our Potential". The programme, ing to school! which was staged by the Bermuda For Bermudians also a potential for ships of ten thousand tons You want justice? You want happiness? group, was well-timed in that it revealed to the aud­ or more - freighters. What is wrong with Ber­ amongst us Bermudians, and amongst any ex­ ience that. In spite of the Bermuda Government's muda ordering three or four cargo ships and patriates who want to stay and inject their claim to the contrary, there is a problem in this coun­ giving some of these people who can barely energies here for Bermuda? O.K. Beautiful. try relating to unemployment, ex-patriates and race. read or write when they come out of school We'l I work together and we can do it. The Workers Voice (which was there and recorded a chance to travel and educate themselves by Now there are a lot of questions about the all the speeches as well as the questions and answers) seeing the world? This is how I did it. I left defense of this country. We all know what a feels that much of what was said was of importance here in 1946. lousy deal we got during the second EVorld War, to Bermudians. Because of the length of the speeches, I remember, one day whan I was about when the United States government and the we will endeavour to publish excerpts in this and 13 years old, riding from Darrells Wharf to Ham­ British government made a hasty decision, with­ future editions. ilton. The white kids from Warwick Academy out consulting the people of Bermuda. There We Start with Skipper Ingham, who had were sitting in the bow and I was in the pilot was a grave injustice. this to say:- house, listening to these kids rap on biology We know that this island is vital to the de­ "I'm not a college graduate. I'm a gram­ science, tha arts. You name it. And there was fence of the Eastern seaboard of the United mar school drop-out. However, It's a pleasure I, listening to these ten year old kids, and I States. We can negotiate some kind of agree­ to be here today with such distinguished people couldn't even talk. My grammar was bad. I ment with the US government, for protection to give you my views on our potential. couldn't even communicate. and for consular services in New York. This is * First, I want to say to you 'Stand up for 1 tell you folks, that the educational sys­ simple. It can be done easily, without any ex­ your rights! Stand up for truth! Stand up for tem in Bermuda is specially designed to keep pense to us. justice!' We are only going to be able to do you stupid. Kids leave school today at six­ Lastly I say again. If you want peace in this if we are able to determine our destiny. I teen years of age and they cannot even fill out this country, you must determine your own don't want any foreigner guiding my life, or an application form for a job. At the begin­ destiny. We have a situation here right now, telling me what I must do or what I must not ning of this year, I took three kids to partici- where we have an economic expert to deter­ do. mine who is what and who gets what. And this The only way we are going to have jus­ man is being paid to the tune of $40 per second! tice for Bermudians, Black and white, is thro' What is wrong with our own Cal Smith, the independence. They say that independence Government Statistician. He is quite capable. cannot work for Bermuda. Why? They say we Why did they allow this foreigner to come in have no army. We have no coastguard. We can­ and do this job? I'll tell you why. Because they u not defend our shores, so to speak, but this is don't want you to know what's going down! a cop-out! It's as simple as that. And if you don't get out the books and put some knowledge in your head, We alt know that, in order to sustain our­ and get your physiology together, forget about selves, we must have industries. And there is it! Because, to have a good brain, you must only one industry in Bermuda, and that is tour­ have a good physiology. ism. Jamaica had its heyday; Nassau had its hey­ day; Porto Rica had its heyday, in tourism, and Everybody is always stressing the mind. now Bermuda is enjoying her heyday. It it goes The mind, the mind, the"mind. But I'll tell you to the bottom, what have we left? Nothing! how the mind is in regards to a human being I do agree with Mr. Frith. We should dev­ living in a neighbourhood, as to the mind liv­ elop our potential as far as farming is con­ ing in a body. You can produce a beautiful neigh­ cerned. We have to feed ourselves. If there bourhood. All the green trees manicured and should be any catastrophe in the United States, everything nice - garbage collectors and every then how are we going to feed ourselves? We body speaking to one another. All of a sudden, cannot get ships to bring food here, we cannot there is some kind of treachery in the community, get the airlines to bring us food, then how are that causes this area to deteriorate. It gets so we going to survive? This is one potential, the bad, you will say, "Hey, this is not for me. I'm farming industry. going to leave it and move into another area which is healthier!" Well the same applies to the There is another potential, the shipping mind. When a body becomes sick, the mind industry. I come from a long line of sailors. My SKIPPER INGHAM speaks to the large gathering at leaves the body. great, great, great grandfather was a pilot here Victoria Park (top photo). The bottom photo shows in Bermuda. Through private 'development' my part of the audience listening attentively as Skipper Well, that's all I have to say. This may family lost their property. You alt know that speaks on Devek>ping Our Potential. leave you something to talk about. Thank you." story. t believe that the Mid Ocean Club today stands on that property, and I'll tell you exac­ tly how it happened. One day. Sir Howard Trott went down, with a Black policeman and a horse-drawn wagon, put my great grand­ mother in this horse-drawn wagon, and put her in a hole (house) in Devil's Hole. Three weeks' later my great grandmother died. She didn't want to sell her property. I could understand it if it was a Government development scheme, but it wasn't. It was a private development, assisted by Government to take the Black peo* pie off their properties in Tucker's Town. And believe vou me, I'm getting it back. O.K., I got that off my chest! Now let's get back to the shipping industry. We used to ply from Tortola to Nova Scotia on ships that were built right here in Bermuda. And I don't see why ships cannot be built in Bermuda to­ day. We have some of the best shipbuilders in the world - builders of small craft. There is

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THE WORKERS VOICE, Friday, August 27, 1976 S THE ROOTS OF ALCOHOLISM Alcoholism is a major public health pro- Early phase: Use of alcohol precedes, uitm. Alcohol abuse is rocketing, and alcohol­ rather than accompanies, enjoyment; social ics are tying up many hospital beds. Their doc­ occasions are preceded by a 'fortifying' drink; tors disguise their true illness so they will be alcohol becpmes the goal of social activites, admitted, and some alcoholics are hospitalised and is relied on for coping with stress; frequ­ c ency and degree of intoxication incraese; men­ as many as 30 times a year. Many just dry out in the hospital and later end up back in the hos­ tion of drinking and behaviour produces annoy­ pital to repeat the cycle. ance. There is a growing awareness of the mag­ Middle phase: Drinking is surreptitious, nitude of alcohol and drug abuse, but the an begins early in the day; drinks are gulped; public does not fully understand the problem. intoxication is reached regularly; justifications for drinking become more profuse, less valid; WHAT MAKES AN ALCOHOLIC? growing preoccupation with alcohol produces By: P. de la Chevotiere, M.D. L.M.C.C. There is no single cause of alcoholism. guilt feelings; attempts are made to control Alcohol itself does not cause alcoholism. The intake, sometimes substituting other drugs for vast majority of people who drink do not be­ if alcohol; blackouts appear; expansive emotional come addicted to alcohol. However, the phar­ for a particular type is believed immaterial to behaviour appears, with grandiose plans, in­ macologic properties of alcohol may contri­ the development of alcoholism. It is usually cluding those for reform, which nearly always bute to the development of psychological and determined by taste, availability and price. As fail. the illness progresses, patients may become less physical dependence in susceptible persons. Late phase; Lossof control over drink­ discriminating in their choice of drinks, or re­ There is no known personality profile ing leads to repeated, often stuperous, intoxi­ sort to cheaper and more available alcoholic that identifies the potential or actual alcoholic. cation; drinking becomes an instrument of beverages. While such traits as emotional immaturity and self-destruction; life centres on alcohol; as soc­ strong dependency needs are commonly ob­ ALCOHOLISM DEVELOPS IN DISTINCT ial, occupational and psychologic deteriorat­ served among alcoholics, they may be effects PHASES ion becomes obvious, former associates are rather than the precursors of the conditions. Alcoholism takes many guises. Relatively abandoned or avoided; tolerance to alcohol There is no conclusive evidence that al­ few alcoholics are ot the '^id row' type. In wanes, physical complications often overshad­ coholism arises from an inherited trait. It has some cases, alcoholism may be difficult for an ow psychiatric and social symptoms. been suggested, however, that certain in heri experienced clinician to diagnose, while in others Numerous definitions of alcoholism exist. ted characteristics may be a factor in warding it may be readily apparfRt, Behavioural changes It has been variously called a symptom, mani­ off alcoholism by predisposing the drinker to of alcoholism usually pre(^e signs of physical festation, or complication of other illness, as unusual distress after alcohol ingestion. decline. The insidious an43 gradual course of the well as a disease in itself. Alcoholism has been There is no similarity between the mani­ disease often makes it difficult to tell the alco­ described as a type of drug dependence, or, festations of alcoholism and those of known holic from the heavy (JlrjifUfeer. However, cer­ broadly, as: "...an iliness characterised by pre­ allergies. While ingredients of alcoholic bever­ tain traits may distingoisN between the two. occupation with alcohol and loss of control c ages may provide allergic reactions, they do For instance, the aicohqfic typically has a great­ over the consumption such as to lead usually noLseem to-be responsible for dependence on er emotional response to alcohol and attacks to intoxication if dirinking is begun; by chrom- alcohol. inordinate significance to it. Many alcoholics icity, by progression, and by tendency toward The kind of beverage doesn't matter. No display somewhat similar.symptoms and behav­ relapse. It is typically associated with physi­ particular form of alcoholic beverage predis­ iour patterns, and the general course of the cal disability and impaired emotional, occup­ poses the drihker to alcoholism. Preference disease can be outlined. ational, arKl/or social adjustments as a direct consequence of persistent and excessive use." BERMUDA FOR BERMUDIANS BERMUDA FOR BERMUDIANS BERMUDA FOR BERMUDI

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS of the recent "Rap Session" at Victoria Park. Mr. Michael HoHis. a lawyer, was one of the featured speakers and he is shown addressing the audience in the top photo. Also shown is the Hon. Eugene Cox, Messrs. Wesley Simmons. Greatfield Carmichael, Bill Frith and Skipper lisgham. !n the bottom phoio, Ihe aurlrenrfi lends an ear to what is being said by a speaker.

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THE WORKERS VOICE. Friday, August 27, 1976 WHY INDEPENDENCE? One of the most important benefits manding all kinds of qualifications plus sev­ they were originally brought in to do. After which independence could bring to Bermuda eral years of experience. A Bermudian, who three years, according to the present Consti­ is the elimination of the "Bermuda status" probably has the basic qualifications neces­ tution, these persons are eligible to vote. label and a complete re-vamping of the pres­ sary, will however, hesitate to apply, since he There are many who have lived and worked in ent Immigration and Labour laws. or she does not have all the qualifications nec­ Bermuda for quite a few years, who have not ^ Under the present system, British and essary. On the other hand, many Bermudians even bothered to apply for Bermuda status. Commonwealth citizens may enjoy the best who have applied for jobs have beentold that Some, when they reach retirement age, and of two worlds. The born Bermudian, how­ they were OVER qualified. realise that they can not afford to live in Ber- ever, is slowly being forced into the position The Workers Voice published a story muca, sell up their properties in Bermuda (of­ of second-class citizen in his own country, some time ago about a young Black Bermud­ ten at a great profit on the original price they and is treated as a foreigner in the countries ian who worked hard and saved his money to paid) and return to live in Britain, enjoying all from which the "Bermuda status" citizen s go to the United States for a course in elec­ the benefits of the British citizen. Some, who came. trical engineering. On his return, he applied have worked for the Government of Bermuda For instance, there is a rule in Bermuda to 20 firms for a job, only to be turned away retire to Britain to live comfortably on the that stipulates that all job vacancies must be on some pretext or another. Several employers old age pension supplemented by a very com­ advertised locally. If no qualified Bermudian told him that he should have at least two '0' fortable pension from the.Berqiudian govern­ applies fortthe job, then the bosses may bring levels in the Cambridge Schools Certificate. ment - paid for by the Bermudian worker. in a foreigner to fill the post, with the con­ Yet these same employers brought in Eng­ But the Bermudian worker has nowhere sent and the blessing of the Department of Im­ lishmen who quite definitely did not even to go, and because, generally speaking, he has migration and Labour. sit the Cambridge Schools examinations, as . been underpaid and exploited all his life, he Since this ruling has been in effect, the they are products of the eleven-plus system in has little to look forward to when he can no bosses (man y of them 'status' Bermudians) the English schools, and therefore were chan­ longer work for a living. have discovered several ways around it. In nelled into technical schools at the age of Though confirmation of the fact would some cases, they have already taken on a for­ eleven. have to be sought from the Ministry of Edu­ eigner, and their local advertisement isa British workers have been brought out cation in Britain, it is logical to assume that the tailor-made copy of any or all the qualific­ here on one or two year contracts, and three children of British persons out here on contract ations which that foreigner may possess. or four years later, are still here, sometimes would qualify to be treated as British students, Again, the bosses will advertise a job de­ working at some other job than that for which and be eligible for all the benefits and incre­ ments that British students enjoy in that coun­ try. Yet Bermuda-born students , if they go to Britain to study, are treated as foreigners and must pay tiie higher prices demanded from foreign students (recently almost doubled). Any British person who comes to Bermuda to fill a job vacancy can expect help from the employer, in the provision of housing, transport etc. With the much higher rate of pay which he or she may get, it does not take long to repay any loans incurred A Bermudian worker must find his or her own accommodation and transport, and, gen­ erally speaking, on a much lower wage. The children of those British persons who came to Bermuda in the early fifties, are Ber­ mudian born. Due to the educational system which existed in Bermuda until 1968, they have been able to enjoy greater educational oppor­ tunities, thus qualifying themselves for the top jobs in an increasingly sophisticated economy. Jobs which ihe children of the working class Bermudians cannot qualify for because of the lack of educational advancement that was af­ forded them. Many of the foreigners coming to Bermuda have left newly independent African countries where they prospered under the old colonial regimes. They appear to feel quite at home on the Bermuda scene. The UBP Government's clamp-down on Happy birthday! the granting of Bermudian status appears to be a vocal rather than an actual one. For there are Congratulations and best wishes to: several cases of persons whose applications for Manika and Malika, twin daughters of Sis­ status have been rejected by the Immigration ter Debra Smith, King Edward Vll Hospital, Board, only to be granted by the UBP Cabinet. who celebrate their birthday August 21. Also, if a family man gets his Bermuda status, then his wife and whatever children h e may have, will automatically become eligible for status, just by signing a form. After the British, the greatest number of immigrants into Bermuda are Portuguese. Now that this Government has reached an amicable agreement with the Portuguese government {in ANOMALY the Azores) more and more Portuguese workers Term applied to wage rates or working are being brought into Bermuda. At present, the conditions that differ substantially from those department of Immigration and Labour is 'pro­ prevailing in the company, locality or industry cessing' some 100 Portuguese workers who ar­ for comparable work. rived in this country recently. They will re­ place the Ecquadorians, who proved useful to ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT FACTOR the establishment, when the source of cheap Wage increase granted automatically each Portuguese labour dried up. The UBP govern­ year, in addition to cost-of-living adjustments, ment has not publicised the terms of the pres­ in recognition of employees' share in increased ent agreement with the Portuguese govern- productivity due to improved technology and methods. (Continued on page 7) THE WORKERS VOICE, Friday, August 27, 1976 7,

•.%%^^*»'%^ Guidelines To Safety - Part 1 Jn support of the Bermuda Industrial onomy and highly dangerous to skimp on for. Tubes that are bent or weakened by rust Union's call for safety regulations and for a materials, and if faulty materials are pro­ and damaged couplers and boards with bad greater awareness amongst employers and vided the dangers may be hidden from those splits or knots should be thrown out." workers of necessary safety measures. The who use them. Before they are used, tubes, In our next edition we will be contin­ Workers Voice will be printing a series of couplers and boards should be inspected by uing with further advice on Safety in Con­ ^ • articles dealing with safety on the job. The someone who knows what defects to look struction Work. first in our series deals with the construc­ tion industry. There are many Bermudians involved in the construction industry and, as there is no legislation in Bermuda covering safe­ ty and health for the workers, we are quot­ ing from manuals issued by the Ministry of Labour in England. Following are some guidelines contained in manual N0.6D, on Safety in Construction Work — Scaffolding, the introduction to which reads: "Every year scores of men are killed and thousands injured in scaffold and lad­ der accidents. Many of these accidents would have been prevented if a few sim­ ple precautions were observed during the construction and use of scaffolding, and if ladders were sound and firmly secured. In this booklet these precautions are de­ scribed, and although it deals chiefly with standard metal scaffolding and with single section builders' ladders, the principles laid down apply equally to any type of gear." Uner the heading, 'Before Work Starts' the manual advises:- "A scaffold should be erected only by men knowledgeable in the job, working un­ der immediate supervision of an experien­ ced foreman who knows the purpose of the ^ scaffold and how it should be constructed to carry the loads which will be placed on it. He must also be given sufficient and sound material for the job. It is a false ec-

^M^^^V^'^^^^^W^^^^^^^»^^^^^»^^>^>^^^^^^^ WHY INDEPENDENCE? (Continued from page 6} ment, but it would be logical to assume that the terms are more favourable to the workers than previously, when the families of Portu­ guese workers were not allowed to come to Ber­ muda. It is indisputable fact that all those com­ ing to Bermuda from Great Britain and from the Azores are white. Whereas the majority of the Bermudian working population is Black {although that majority is rapidly decreasing). Thus the very real sense of grievance felt by many born Bermudians, that they are rapidly becoming second class citizens in their own country, is automatically acquiring a racial overtone. Consequently there is much bitter­ ness and resentment felt by the Black popu­ lation of Bermuda. The basic cause of the situation that has engendered and fostered these feelings is the terms of the present Constitution, and the Im­ migration and Labour laws which presently c prevail. Unless and until the government of this country takes a good, hard look at the evils which are inherent in the whole immigration program, and do away with the pernicious 'sta­ tus' system, this bitterness and frustration will grow, and the 'partnership that works'will be­ come even more of a pipe dream than it is at present. Wear Your Union Button COOP OOOP OOOP

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