LITTER IS SO PITCH IN ipcpo^^"**^^ A SLAP IN O^ AND HELP TO
BERMUDA'S FACE KEEP BERMUDA
AND YOURS . . . BEAUTIFUL!
Vol. 9 - No. 1. HAMILTON, BERMUDA- FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1979 Price 15 cents. WAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE A SUCCESS? Some Say 'Yes^i . Some Say 'No' See Page 6 For Our Political Correspondent's Analysis.
END OF CONFERENCE. Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans, Leader of the Opposition, signs the Bermuda Constitutional Conference report in Hamilton City Hall last month (above). Pictured at left is the representatives of Government and Opposition with His Excellency the Governor, Sir Peter Ramsbotham. See page 6 for more pictures and an analysis of the itemss agreed to at the conference. Ace Cann Off to UK For Intensive Course Brother Albert "Ace" Trade Unions Congress Cann, chief shop steward (TUC) and the U.K. Gov for the Bus Operators and ernment's Ministry of Allied Workers Division of Overseas Development/ the BIU, is due to leave Department of Employ Bermuda September 1 for ment. Covered are all the United Kingdom to aspects of employment, undergo 14 weeks of inten industrial training, indus sive training in trade union trial relations with emphasis ism. on collective bargaining, Cann will be the third human relations, arbitration union official from the BIU and joint consultation. ECONOMIST AND SOCIOLOGIST VISIT. Sir Arthur Lewis, an eminent economist who is to attend a European course Brother Albert is anx currently lecturing at Princeton University in the U.S. paid a courtesy call to BIU within the past year: Broth iously looking forward to Headquarters last month and he was accompanied by Dr. Kenneth Clark, head of the firm er Austin Wade, an organis this course that will have retained by the Bermuda Government to study sociological problems here. Sir Arthur, a St er, was in the U.K. earlier him spending a week at Lucian, was in Bermuda to look into the Government's plan for the setting up of a this year and Brother Cal Oxford University, four Development Bank to assist small businesses. He is shown fielding questions from members vert Bean, President of the weeks in one of Britain's while BIU President Ottiwell Simmons and Dr. Clark look on. Marine Division, travelled to lai^er provincial cities and Turin, Italy for a three- at the TUC headquarters. "I month training stint. feel that more divisional officers should have the Charles Tuzo's Retiremenf Party TUC-SPONSORED opportunity to train at such After 28 years of continuous service with the Public Cann's course is held in a level as Ihis in order to be conjunction with the British Transportation Department, Brother Charles "Gyp" Tuzo prepared to take over in the retired recently and his colleagues gave him a party at BIU future", he said. Headquarters. With his wife, Lillian, and his two daughters, Queenie Williams and Joann Tuzo, at his side. Brother Tuzo was BACK FROM SURINAM presented with a silver tray by Brother Ambrose Hayward Sister Aletha Burgess is on behalf of the colleagues at PTD. Speeches were made by back at work at the Ber the Director, Mr. Herman Basden, BIU President, Ottiwell muda Telephone Company Simmons and Hayward. Brother Cyril Millett was In charge after participating in a "fol of the catering and he prepared a beautiful spread of wine low-up" seminar in Surinam and cheese. held earlier this month. Sponsored by the Postal, Brother Tuzo Is being retained by the Department as a Telephone and Telegraph cashier at the Central Terminal. Because of his expertise in International (PTTl), the the modern transit system, he Is capable of answering any seminar placed much em and all questions asked by residents as well as visitors. phasis on how to develop The Workers Voice wishes Gyp all the best in his more involvement in PTTl retirement! unions. Our photograph, taken by Brother Frankie Joell, ALBERT"ACE"CANN shows Tuzo admiring his engraved silver tray. Letters lIO I^potl Dear Madam; I must disagree with the Governor's statement concerning the so-called right way to set up WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? a petition. GENEVA (ILO Information) -Today, people In most To me, and many other developing countries spend more than half their money Bermudians, the Expat Vote and mainly on sustenance, and in some rural households, this Foreign Ownership of land are expenditure rises to 86 per cent. one and the same. , People in developed countries spend a much lower The UBP's latest plan to see^—-^ proportion on food and drink but, of course, their Incomes that the land speculators squeeze are much higher. as much as they can from For families living in some countries In Africa, Asia Bermudians Is one more reason and Oceania, 50 to 60 per cent of their consumption why Bermudians must destroy budget goes for sustenance. People In some parts of Latin the UBP money machine come America, the USSR and some East European countries the next Election. spend about 40 to 50 per cent on food and drink, while Bermudians, you must see West Europeans spend 25 to 35 percent. how we are made to pay more Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealand- for smaller pieces of land where ers are reported to devote about 20 to 25 per cent of their your neighbour hears you when incomes on these items. you sneeze. And If Exempt These and other trends are apparent from a survey of Companies are able to lease land household Income and expenditure in some 90 countries, for housing for their workers, just published by the International Labour Office. our children will be left out in the cold, as people with land REVEALING must cash in on the Exempt Entitled, Household income and expenditure statis Company gold mine. tics, the survey covers the years from pre-recession 1968 to ALVIN WILLIAMS Inflation-ridden 1976. It attempts to provide an answer to the question which puzzles economists and husbands alike - where does the money go? As consumer patterns do not change overnight, the lYC Turns ILO data shed a revealing light, not only on the 8-year period covered, but also on the present spending trends and, indeed, on those of the foreseeable future. The survey shows that in developing countries, To Public households spend nearly all the money they receive (95 to Germany and Australia, eating out accounts for 17 to 20 99 per cent) for consumption purposes, namely food, per cent of the food budget, and 10 to 15 per cent in clothing and shelter, transport, education, medical care - Meetings socialist and northern European countries. items which are defined by the I LO as basic needs. In all other countries, especially in Africa, Asia and The It's Your Country In developed countries, families spend money also for Latin America, people spend nothing, or very little on campaign committee is con-- non-consumption purposes, a major part of which is restaurant meals. tinuing it's role in the income tax and other direct taxes, as well as private BEVERAGES struggle of the people of investments. For families living in Australia, Canada, About 18 per cent of food budgets in Great Britain is Bermuda to abolish the Finland, the Federal Republic of Germany, Israel and the spent on alcoholic beverages. Australia and Greenland Expat Vote and secure their U.S., this outlay for non-consumption items amounts to follow closely with about 16 percent. In Ireland, it is 12 to living space, according to a about 13 to 18 percent of total expenditures. 15 per cent; Canada, 14 per cent; Czechoslovakia, Papua, news release from I.Y.C. !n the USSR and other European socialist countries, New Guinea and New Zealand, 11.5 to 12 percent; Malawi The release states that: non-consumption expenditure is about 14 to 23 per cent, a and Sierra Leone (urban households) about 10 per cent; "The committee has collect major part of which goes for services. Denmark, Sweden and France, 8.8 to 9.5 per cent. The ed over 7,000 signatures of FOOD BUDGET American family spends about 6 per cent of the food and adult Bermudians, a figure In Nepal and rural households In India, 50 to 60 per drink budget on alcoholic beverages. representing a quarter of cent of the food budget is spent on bread and cereals, in TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS the native population. This Peru it's about 26 per cent, in Africa about 20 to 30 per According to the I LO study, Americans spend more of is a clear mandate from the cent, and, for Americans and most Europeans, around 10 their income on transport and communications, 23 per community against expat per cent. cent, than on food and drink, 21 per cent. In Australia, riates voting in the country Milk and dairy products account for 15 to 25 per cent Canada, Finland, Kuwait, New Zealand and Norway, and foreigners being able to of the food budget in India, topping that of the traditional transport and communication expenses are also high, about buy up our limited supply "milk-drinking" Nordic countries, where it is 14 to 16 per 17 to 20 per cent of the household budget. of land. cent. HOUSING "The campaign has now In Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, about one-third Expenditures on shelter (rent, housing charges) are moved to a different level. of the food budget goes for meat and fish, as against 26 to important' items of consumption, accounting for about 16 Public meetings are being 30 percent in many other European countries and 21 to 25 per cent in Asia, 15 to 20 per cent in North America and held throughout the island per cent spent by Australians, Americans and New 12 to 20 percent in Europe. In the USSR, expenditures on in order to involve the Zealanders. shelter are less than 3 per cent; in other European socialist people in discussions on EATING OUT countries, about 5 to 9 per cent. these two vital issues. These Americans and Canadians, however, spend about These are some of the highlights of this latest ILO meetings are regarded as one-fourth of their food budget on meals taken outside the inquiry Into household expenditure. The data are given by 'Assemblies of the People', home, while in Switzerland, the Federal Republic of social and occupational groups, size of households and forums in which the com geographical areas. To facilitate comparative analysis, the munity becomes involved in findings have been re-classified, as far as possible, in making decisions about standardised form, in line with international recommenda their own future. For us, tions. this is the essence of demcr , The ILO survey is especially valuable for Income racy. '^^ The Workers Voice distribution studies, measurement pf standards of living and "Ground has been gained Published and Printed by the determination of poverty levels. on the issue of the foreign THE BERMUDA INDUSTRIAL UNION This, In turn, may help national planners in ownership of land. In an Hamilton, Bermuda formulating economic and social policies. effort to diffuse the peti tion's thrust. Government Editor Barbara B. Ball (Editor's Note): Unless, of course, one is dealing with has banned the sale of Assistants Lionel Pearman and Doreen Lightbourn another world like Bermuda, where the national planner is completely unknown! undeveloped land to for General Council Representatives: eigners and raised the value George Baisden, Kenneth Young and Austin Thomas of a house which a foreigner must buy. This can be seen Telephone 2-0044, Ext. 21 ) INTERNATIONAL YEAR as 'victory for the people' in part. However, this struggle Friday, August 24, 1979 C ^ OF THE CHILD 1979 (Continued on page 8) TWO UNIONISTS GIVE VIEWS ON U.S. LABOUR MOVEMENT (the Unions) are the one faction in the United States that has the Leonard and Marilyn: tools. We have the newspapers; we have the offices and the staff; we have a communications net work. We're the people who Mass. Union Members should be founding a Labour In Bermuda on a week's holiday recently, were two staunch Party In the U.S." He continued, Trade Unionists from Massachusetts, who "got tired of being just 'There is no real difference tourists". Sister Marilyn Clements and Brother Leonard Bruneau told between the Republicans and Workers Voice, "We were rather dissatisfied with our forays as 'just the Democrats, at this time". tourists' over the weekend. Then, on Monday morning, at breakfast, Claiming, "I'm not talking we met the chief shop steward In the dining room of the Bermudiana socialism or communism", Hotel and got into conversation with her." Leonard emphasised, "I'm just Sister Yvonne Broadbelt (for that's who it was) lost no time in talking about an honest Labour inviting Leonard and Marilyn to visit Bermuda Industrial Union Party, that will get the working headquarters, which they did the same day. "In the few hours we people what they should have." have spent here since," said Leonard, "we have learnt more about the He spoke critically about a social and political life of Bermuda than we would have learnt In recent phenomenon in the United States, where more and three months as 'just tourists". Having sorted out the differ Leonard Bruneau and Marilyn Clements During a morning and over more municipal, county, city ence between the two Unions, lunch, we learnt something officer. For the past 18 years, they didn't prepare propedy. and state employees are joining and the reasons why, we got about Marilyn and Leonard and Leonard has sen/ed as president They didn.t put pressure on Unions. "State and federal em back to Marilyn. We learned that their involvement with the and business manager of UE. their congressmen and senators ployees already enjoy all kinds labour movement In the United she was left to bring up five Local 279. He Is also a member as they should have." of benefits that no other worker States. It emerged that many of children (two boys and three of the District Executive Board Revealing a rather low opin in the country has" he said, but the problems faced by the girls) when the eldest was 13 of District 2, which encompasses ion of the lawmakers, he contin hastened to add, "I'm not saying all of New England and upper Unions in America are similar to years old. Now they are all ued, "They, the congressmen it's wrong but, for instance, New York State. those which affect the Union In grown up and she has finally had and senators, are not brilliant in when these federal or state Bermuda. the opportunity to make a trip An outgoing and outspoken any sense of the word. Unless employees picket, they expect to Bermuda. they are hit over the head with a Sister Marilyn Clements told person, Leonard answered our to be paid by the state or city. 2x4 to get their attention, and us that she was born in Peabody, BRO. LEONARD BRUNEAU questions about the Union Now, any real militant Union then told in words of one Massachusetts, and has lived in Next, we learned something movement in the United States, member knows they are not syllable, they can't understand Massachusetts all her life. She about Bro. Leonard Bruneau. He as he saw it. At present he lives going to get a thing when they in Lynn, Massachusetts, and the problem!" has worked for General Electric was born in Melrose, Massachu picket." works for the Atwood & Morrill in Lynn, Massachusetts for the setts, and went to college in He went on to explain that Corp, in Salem. UNION STABILITY past six months as a servicing Tennessee. Then the war started organised labour in the United States only represents about "One thing I have found in clerk. Prior to that she worked and he spent the next five years, LABOUR REPRESENTATION 20% of the work force, and the labour movement, as op at another G.E. plant, where she "travelling in England, Europe On the subject of the recent remarked, "All of a sudden. posed to management generally, was a member of the UE(Union and Africa". Labour Law Reform bill, Government seem to have got is that we are more stable, with of Electrical, Radio and Wlachine He has been a member of the Leonard remarks, "We got beat the idea that they don't have to regard to the people who are Workers of America). At that UE tor the past 28 years, and c miserably! I believe, personally, running our organisations", said plant she also served as a trustee answer to ther working people during that time, he has served the reason was that the Unions and shop steward of the Union. any more." But he pointed out, Leonard. "In management, they as shop steward, and divisional were so sure of themselves that But, at the plant where she now "Although we represent only are continually changing the works, she is a member of the 27% of the population, we have people at the top, trying to get International Union of Electrical families, and that brings the smarter and yet smarter opera Workers (lUE). percentage up. Government may tors." find out, to its cost, that we're While he emphasised that, in THE UNION SPLIT the winning 50% in the next a successful trade union, you When we expressed some election!" need new blood coming in all confusion about the two Unions, Leonard believes that one of the time, he pointed out that, Leonard interrupted to explain, the main problems facing the "We bring In the new blood and "The UEW was, at one time, the Unions in America today is that they learn from the older mem only Union in General Electric the younger and newer members bers. Then the best of the new and Westinghouse, in the whole co-oP "only see the benefits that we members, work their way up, of the United States. Then, at fought so hard to get." He adds, through the ranks to the top. the end of World War II, in "Though I was not a participant That's the way it should be." 1946, the Union shut down the in the very early struggles of the It was interesting and inspir entire G.E. chain. trade unionists, I have seen ing to talk to two such dedicated "The company decided that much progress In the years I trade unionists from across the they couldn't have that happen have been in the movement." He water. again, so they set out to believes that the ideal for leader Both Marilyn and Leonard fragment the Unions, and suc ship of the Unions is a mix of were full of praise for Bermuda ceeded so well that today, there the old and the new. For, he and its "friendly people". They are 56 Unions in the G.E. chain. points out, "The old timers hope to return at the first However, the UE and the lUE know what they can do. They opportunity. And we shall look are the only two Unions that know how to flex their muscles, hold national contracts with the forward to seeing them when but they don't do it unless they they do. G.E. The lUE emerged from a need to." The trouble, as he sees split in the UE, which occurred it is that the newer, younger In 1952." members spend too much time VACATION FROM BOOZE He explained that, in recent fighting the older ones and yet The boozing husband years, the two Unions have come won't fight the Government. tried the geographical cure 'ogether, and have participated by flying to Miami. Unfor V:in joint negotiations for the last POLITICAL REPRESENTATION tunately, his liver was all three contracts. "This coming We were interested to learn used up and he died there together of the Unions was as a that there is a-movement afoot shortly afterward. result of pressure from the in the United States to form a At the funeral parlour younger and newer members" new Labour Party. Leonard told back home, a friend of the said Leonard. "The working us that the ex-International deceased remarked to the people realised that they were President of UE, Albert J. widow: "He looks just won losing out and the company was Fitzgerald, is going around the derful." winning." He added, "I don't country, trying to stir up inter "Yes", agreed the spouse, think the top leaders would have est In the formation of a "I think those two weeks in changed, if they hadn't been political party that will truly Florida did him a world of pressured by the rank and file represent the worker. good." inemliership." Leonard pointed out, "We - From THE GRAPEVINE. THE WORKERS VOICE. Friday, August 24, 1979 3 HOW WORK AFFECTS HEARING LOSS
-/£F
PRE- EMPLOYMENT oy EXAM HEARING OA LEVEL **' Congratulations to: IN DECIBELS ^0 Brother Howard Saltus, Hotel Division, who cele brates hi£ birthday August AFTER 25 YEARS 24. OF WORK Venezuelans Boycott
25(i? 5(?^ W0O XOOiO Chile MEXICO (ORIT) - The Hertz dockworkers of the Venez uelan port of La Guaira implemented. In a most This is an audiogram, showing a worker's hearing loss over numt>er, the higher the tone). Note that hearing Is worse 25years. The numbers at the left indicate how many de- and is lost first in the higher frequencies, especially at the effective way, the boycott dbels (oud a sound is in the ear when rt is first perceived by 4000 Hz level. In this worker's case, he could hear high tones approved on Chile and its the worker. The numbers at the bottom (hertz) represent at an initial 15-decit>el level 25 years ago. Now it take« 50 military, dictatorial regime, sound at various tones, or frequencies (the higher the decit>els of noise before he first notices tt. by refusing to unload a cargo of wine and fruits coming on board of the Chilean freighter "Poye- gue". In this way, the Vene zuelan Portworkers Federa tion (CTV affiliated), of which the La Guaira dock- workers are members, gave This week we'll include versible damage, and It Is you how to obtain an solid proof of the determin noises other than those £uspected th'at it may occur GUIDELINES audiogram. This is a graphic ation of the Venezuelan which are caused by Indus at volumes as low as 70 picture of your hearing-test workers to make effective trial machinery In factories, decibels. TO SAFETY results at different volumes the boycott decreed by etc. (decibels) and at different ORIT-ICFTU, and the en Rock bands, though they HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HEALTH pitches (frequencies). tire free labor movement, provide entertainment and other people think the vol against the military govern music for the disco scene, In the United States, the ume's fine. And you'll have ment of Pinochet. average about 115 decibels, Better Hearing Institute has trouble hearing conversa As was already unmis- and research has shown that confirmed that hearing loss tions clearly when there's takeably expressed by damage can be caused to affects one out of every 13 background noises, like at a ORIT, with the full support one's hearing after 15 min Americans. While most party. of the ICFTU, the ultimate utes of continuous ex people get "used to" the Noise-related hearing loss aim of these actions is to posure. various noises at the work usually begins at the higher bring about the return of Did you know that place and in everyday life, It Chile to democratic govern power mowers, car horns can erode your hearing, pitches of speech. The con ment, with full respect for and a screaming child — making you irritable, and sonants go first, so you may human and trade union things we take for granted cause other health problems hear just a muddle of rights. As this happens, — can cause irreparable such as heart disease. vowels. But the best way to tell what's happened to these rights are being tram damage to ear cells? Up to a How can I tell if my International Year your hearing is to measure pled upon by the military point, the inner ear can hearing has been affected? of the Child 1979 it. Your doctor can advise dictatorship. recover from hearing losses, you may ask. According to but if exposure is prolonged a questionnaire produced the damage becomes per by UAWs Solidarity, two manent. Noises in the things will begin to happen: iow-80s decibel range is You'll start turning up the Subscribe to known to have caused Irre TV, stereo or radio when Dangerous noise levels ^he ^Wdrl{§rs Woice Below is a tabe of sounds, th eir decibel levels. and the continuous exposure time permitted before I encloseS4.50for one (1) year's subscription to THE WORKER VOICE hearing is damaged: Name SOUND DECIBELS TIME PERMITTED W Whispering 20 No limit Quiet Office 40 No limit Afiriress Average Home 50 No limit Dishwasher 54-85 No limit Car 70 No limit Screaming Child 90 8 hours Overseas subscription: S8.00 for one year Pneumatic Drill 100 2 hours Helicopter 105 1 hour THE WORKERS VOICE Power Mower 105 1 hour c/o The Bermuda Industrial Union Rock Band 115 15 minutes Hamilton 5.26 Sirfin 130 3% minutes Bermuda Jtit EiHjjni; 140 Danger Level 4 THE WORKERS VOICE, Frida y, August 24. 197 NATIONAL GOAL: Bermudian Among California Group BERMUDA FOR Who Purchase $5 Million Hospital LOS ANGELES - A milestone in the creation of ALL BERMUDIANS a modern medical complex for the treatment of minor The year 1979 will, un By ROOTS COUNCIL ity-related diseases was doubtedly, be an historic reached last month with the , me for future generations an culture, however, we signing of a $5 million pact. Vof Bermudians. It will be must be wary of the dangers noted for the first official The agreement represents of being trapped by a recognition of the concept the successful outcome of corrupt form of national of nationhood; the first negotiations to purchase the ism. Bermuda Day and Heritage now-defunct West Adams Week. But historians chart In a family, as in a Community Hospital in ing the development of communal society, the col south-central Los Angeles nationalism in our Island, lective and individual inter by a partnership of local will note, with equal inter ests are basically the same. doctors, most of whom are est, two other major steps But when one is dealing black. along the nationalist road. with a nation, whose social Dr. Ewart F. Brown, a They wiU note that the structure supports econo Bermudian - born family first cries for independence mic and other inequalities, practitioner, and President came from the Opposition the interests of fellow citi of Adams West Medical Progressive Labour Party, zens obviously conflict. Group, said the agreement over ten years before the Thus, the ruling elite of to purchase became official ruling United Bermuda many newly or recently when the doctors were able Party broached the nation independent countries in to accummulate $1 million alist issue. Likewise, that Africa, Asia and the West for initial procurement fact that the first truly Indies, have merely manipu funds. They plan to reno n a t ionalist organisation, lated nationalistic slogans to vate the six-storey, 196-bed Bermuda for Bermudians, serve the mutual interests facility and reopen it with a was formed five years previ they share with foreign new name and a new cast of investors, at the expense of ously, in 1974, will be medical and administrative DR. EWART BROWN - He cannot practise in Bermuda! carefully noted. the majority of the popu personnel. lace. Hospital was once the larg "My goal is to be able to Yet the apparent attempt The new facility will be est, privately owned com do similar things in the The peoples of such by the UBP to take all the known as Western Park Caribbean and Africa - countries are surely not munity hospital West of the credit for developing nat Hospital and it represents possibly Nigeria," Brown fighting for their national Mississippi until it fell vic ional consciousness in this both a professional and a added. The irony here is interests, if their leaders call tim to financial difficulties historic year of 1979, iron personal achievement for that Brown has been pro upon them to defend and inept management. ically betrays their low level Dr. Brown who was the hibited from practising "their" State. It was the TWO ALTERNATIVES ^ of appreciation of the true catalyst behind the move. medicine in Bermuda, the recognition of this fact that 'v, meaning of nationalism. For In mid-1978 when these country of his birth. led the American youth of MAJOR DECISIONS here, if nowhere else, party difficulties became crip the sixties to protest against "I'm excited by it," politics must be cast aside. pling. Brown pulled togeth their country's involvement Brown said. "There is no A strong nation,' like a er a group of doctors and in Vietnam; that war was other facility in town where strong family, will not only posed two alternatives to only promoting the inter we can formulate the policy survive, but will thrive when them: either revise the cur LABOUR ests of a few American arms and make the major decis the interests of the group rent hospital, or allow it to manufacturers internally, ions." are placed first - in order to close, purchase it, and make and power politics in South The decision to open STILL guarantee the equal inter it into a top-flight medical East Asia externally. It was Western Park Hospital arose ests of the individuals that facility. They chose the not serving the interests of from a desire on the part of make up the nation. Thus, latter. the American people. the doctors involved in WEAK! when a country is threat Brown and company Adams West Medical Group WASHINGTON (AFL-CIO ened from within or with then began to court other to ensure the delivery of News) — People frequently out, the nationalist will doctors in order to demon NATIOIMALIST CHARTER ask me, don't I think the foi^et any functional div quality medical care to an strate a broad sense of economically - depressed labour movement is too isions, to further the well- Nationalism is not neces support in the medical com minority population, and to stroi^. My answer is no. I being of one and ail. sarily nasty, nor need it munity for maintaining a perpetuate a tradition think the labour movement always be nice. It stands for hospital in the West Adams is too weak. justice for all the people of which began with the area. WE MUST BE WARY! founding of West Adams I think that it needs the nation. To avoid Bermu- "Quality is the name of strengthening and that we Community Hospital. the game," Brown said. "We need particularly to change In developing a Bemudi- [^^, d .^ B^,^ t, ) The former West Adams had to purchase this hospit ' ^ V jf the policy that makes it al in the name of self-suffic iency." possible for some people to Fill in form and send or bring in to BIU Headquarters make a conscious decision The new Western Park to obey the law or disobey Hospital, which is scheduled it with respect to collective to open in early October, BERMUDA WORKERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY bai^aining. became a reality when 43 It does not mean much doctors purchased 50 shares Membership Application Form in the old West Adams to guarantee workers' rights Hospital from Continental if there are no penalties Assurance Corporation at a against the violation of those rights. If workers can Name cost of $30,000 each. The group include? a significant be discharged with impun c Address number of Korean physic ity for engaging in collective bargaining or in union activ Present Occupation Phone ians. ities, then that right is not Date of Birth IMPORTANT CHANGES very secure. . . . Several other important That was one of the main Please find enclosed $2.40 JOINING FEE and the sum of $. changes are slated for the reasons that we fought hard (for or towards) , shares. Total to be fully paid by. new facility. Its priority is for labour law reform. to treat, such black and I think that is still unfin minority-rel^t^ diseases as ished business that we have If you arc a mombcr of the Bermuda Industrial Union please indicate Yes No. hypertension, s^ancer, de got to do. pression, anxietyv sickle cell - Labour Secretary Ray anemia, and substance Marshall at briefing for Date Signature abuse. labour editors. THE WORKERS VOICE, Friday. August 24, 1979 5 * * HAPPY i Our Political Correspondent Looks at Results of j BIRTHDAY! I BERMUDA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE \ "We have succeeded in reaching agreement in almost immediate changes, which will have the greatest impact on * all cases, on recommendations for changes in the the next General Election. * Constitution, in accordance with suggestions in the Pitt First we take item (6). Quote. The Leader of the * Report. . . ". These words, spoken by the Governor of Opposition to nominate two members of the Boundaries * Bermuda, Sir Peter Ramsbotham, heralded the "historic" Commission as does the Premier, Unquote. None of the * signing of the amendments to Bermuda's Constitution on previous mentioned changes will have any effect on the * Tuesday, July 31, 1979. They are brave and optimistic outcome of the next General Election. But the * words, but a cursory study of the actual changes agreed deliberations and conclusions of the Boundaries Com- * leave one with a feeling of stale frustration. mission must be of vital importance to that Election. For * Let us just check the 11 changes enumerated, and the drawing of the boimdary lines CAN BE the decisive * evaluate what they REALLY do or mean: factor in the next General Election, thus the composition (1). Removal of the Attorney General from the of the Commission is of vital importance. Prerogative of Mercy Committee. This is a logical step, as it never made sense for an individual who has prosecuted a case and has j^eed to the sentence, to be expected to vote against tiiat sentence as a member of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee. While this is an important step, it can Congratulations to: only have effect in very rare cases, where an individual has Richard Daniels, a full- been condemned to be hanged, and whose appeal against time executive officer with such sentence has failed. the Progressive Labour However, while Bermuda remains a colony, there will Party, who will celebrate his still be the right of appeal to the Privy Council in Britain, birthday August 24. which may or may not accept the recommendations of the local Prerogative of Mercy Committee. (2). (3) and (4). These three are concerned with changes in the name and the composition of the present NATIONAL Legislative Council. But, as the powers of the Council remain the same, this can have little impact on the laws GOAL: which are passed by the House of Assembly, and which (Continued from page 5) govern the lives of all Bermudians. dians beii^ either mistaken (5). Candidates for election to the House of Assembly or misled. Roots Council to disclose their interests in contracts with Government and The Governor, Sir Peter Ramsbotham, is the first to sign proposes the following Nat prospective Senators to do likewise. As was demonstrated ionalist Charter: recently, unless a candidate is brought to court, it will still the document at City Hall. be possible for that candidate to conceal his/her "interests Next, item (11). Quote. The Commonwealth residen 1. The Bermudian nation in contracts with Government". And any Govemment cy vote to be ended - Commonwealth citizens shall only alist does not hate non-Ber department concerned can always justify selection of a qualify to vote if they possess Bermudian status or were mudians - only an unneces i tender on several grounds, as they can now. registered n^ electors on May 1, 1976. Unquote. sary dependence on them.^ Firstly, it is my understanding that, once a 2. The Bermudian nation alist does not hate foreign VOTIIMG AGE TO REMAIN AT 21 YEARS Commonwealth citizen is granted Bermuda status, that person becomes a Bermudian citizen, and, therefore, there culture - only if it suppress es the ind^enous culture. (7). The voting age to be 21, or such lower age (not can be no question as to his/her eligibility as a voter. 3. The Bermudian nation being less than 18) as the Legislature of Bermuda may Secondly, unless large numbers of the Commonwealth alist will NOT fight for a prescribe. While there is no knowing what impact the citizens who registered before May 1, 1976, will have left lowering of the voting age to 18 might have, the fact Bermuda by 1981, they will all, presumably be registerii^ better Bermuda for SOME remains that, in the next General Election, the voting age and voting in the election of 1981. Also, it is logical to Bermudians, but he will die wUl STILL be 21. presume that those Commonwealth citizens who registered for a better Bermuda for ALL Bermudians! (8). The option of appointing as member of the and voted in the election of 1976 were persons interested Legislature to be Attorney General — and, if that opeion is in the continued govemment by the United Bermuda Party, exercised, for an independent public officer to assume the for the next five years at least. Though some may have QUOTE OF THE WEEK responsibility for prosecutions. One cannot see the achieved Bermuda status or have left the Island by 1981,1 "It's useless to hold a immediate significance of this, for we now have an cannot believe that the general figure of 900 quoted by the person to anything he says Attorney General. So what is going to happen now? Is he Governor, as being eligible to vote in the next general while he's madly in love, to be removed from his position and a new Attorney election, is anywhere near accurate. drunk, or running for General appointed under the new ruling? Obviously not. Add to this the fact that, in recent weeks there has office." Therefore, this move cannot be implemented until the been a spate of applications for naturalisation from ~AA GRAPEVINE. present incumbent either resigns, retires or passes on. Portuguese citizens. If the present rate of applications (9). Arrested people to be informed of their rights continues, and if we accept the fact that the majority of upon arrival at Police station. Arrested people are supposed the Portuguese community who are long-term residents are to be informed of their ri^tssat arrival at a police station more attuned to the views of the United Bermuda Party, now. And, if a person claims that he/she was NOT then the UBP will have more than enough new supporters informed of their rights, it will be their word gainst that of to make up for the few Commonwealth citizens they may IT the police, as it is now. have lost in the intervening years between 1976 and 1981. (10). Members of the Public Service Commission and (Continued on page 7} the Chief Justice to be appointed by tbe Governor, after PAYS consultation with the Premier, who shall first have consulted with the Opposition Leader. On paper, this places the final decision on appointments, on the British TO Crown (in the person of the Governor). In fact, the Leader of the Opposition will have no direct contact with the Governor, and it will be the Premier who makes the final KEEP ^ decision. Also, as in the case of the Attorney General, we already have members of a Public Service Commission, and a Chief Justice. Therefore, as pointed out before, there can YOUR b(> no changes in the present composition of the Public Sfrvic(! Oimmission or in the person of the Chief Justice, until or unless Ihey cither resif^n, retire or pass on. HARD
BOUNDARIES COMMISSION AND EXPAT VOTE HAT
1 have lell, iU^ms ((>) and (11) till hist, because 1 believe that Ihesi- two items cnnstiLuU' the m(»st important and OH As Opposition Leader waits her turn, Mr. David Gibbons 6 THE WORKERS VOICE. Friday, August 24, 1979 looks for a place to add his name. loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaooooooooooooi Winifred CONSTITUTION Education (Continued from page 6) Attends Finally, the system of compulsory registration (as is the system in the United Kingdom) may be seen as a plus, Cornet^ Course for the Prt^ressive Labour Party. For there can be no doubt that, in previous elections in this colony, the sister Winifred Johnston, supporters of the UBP have needed no urging to register who works for BAS at the Civil By STANLEy LEE and vote. Airport, has recently completed a six-week course at the George However, under the new system, the heads of all ( ' Not a day goes by without someone calling into the households in Bermuda will be required to fill in forms and ^'^^Union office with a complaint or to see one of the Union Meany Labour Studies Centre In Silver Spring, Maryland. The retum them to the Registrar General. Given the average staff about a 'grievance' or a personal 'gr'pe'. During the black Bermudian's general reluctance to fill in forms, it course of daily work, many difficulties arise which interfere training programme was spon sored by the American Institute looks as if the PLP candidates will have to start walking a with production or constitute a violation of the collective loi^ time before the actual election date! agreement. They range from personal problems (such as the for Free Labour Development attitude of a supervisor towards a worker), to a problem (AIFLD) and it was the first NEXT ELECTION WILL BE A VITAL ONE . . . concerning the methods of work which may have a time a Bermudian had attended detrimental affect on the earnings of a worker or a group of the centre since the facility was workers. Most of these problems come under the heading moved from Front Royal in Readers should be reminded that, before the 1968 of "grievances" and unions try to establish a procedure Virginia. election, Sir Henry Tucker, then Leader of the United with the employer to settle them. Sister Johnston had nothing Bermuda Party stated, "If we win this election, we shall be but praise for the course and the in for a long time." He was speaking then for a It is important, first of all, that legitimate grievances predominantly white Party. Last year, the present Premier facilities at Silver Spring and was be settled as quickly as possible and at the lowest possible and Finance minister, David Gibbons, publicly stated that satisfied with her involvement in level. For example, if it is true that a supervisor is vindictive "The next election will be a winner-take-all election". If we the programme. She pointed out towards a worker, it is desirable to try and settle the matter consider the chaises that have been agreed, for the "new" that the course covered such with the supervisor concerned; if these efforts are Bermuda Constitution, in l^t of those statements, then it unsuccessful it should be referred higher. topics as social economic struc must be obvious to all that the next General Election will When a worker believes he has a grievance, he may tures, political systems, the be a vital one in ihe history of Bermuda,sand will determine sometimes try and settle it himself - but in consultation labour movement and ideologies, the future of black and white Bermudians for many years with a shop steward. If he is unsuccessful he should and fair distribution of income to come. formally refer it to the union grievance procedure, the shop and economic development. And the Progressive Labour Party will be facing much steward and/or the divisional secretary. The steward or She told us she hopes more the same situation as it did in the election of 1976. With secretary should listen to the member's grievance and in members will be able to take the increase in the numbers of Portuguese voters, the PLP many cases, he will be able to settle it by direct contact advantage of the courses being may even have a harder time that it did in the last election. with management. Now and then, an individual grievance offered by AIFLD at their new may involve a problem or principle which may affect many home. UNITED WE FALL - DIVIDED WE FALL members of the union and then it is necessary for the Division Committee or the membership to discuss the pXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOi matter. A record should be made of all the facts of the grievance at this stage whether settled or not. If the matter is not settled at this stage, it will be HERE'S WHY I ^ferred to the union and the company and may go as far as Can official dispute where the Government Labour Department comes in. On grievances and the grievance procedure a few notes SAVE would be useful: 1. Prevention is better than cure. It Is better to prevent grievances from arising than to solve them once AT MY CREDIT UNION: they have arisen. This means the employer has to recognise the union in giving them a voice in all working conditions and wages. It's easy to make regular deposits every 2. Procedures agreed to by the union and employer payday right there at the BIU Members Credit should be known and followed by every member. Union office. This way I stay with my savings 3. The purpose of the procedure should be to settle plan. The return is good and my account grievances quickly. 4. The shop steward should verify the facts of any builds up fast. I like the idea of saving with grievance referred to him and how or if the agreement has my fellow members because I know that any been violated. He should not assume that he must fight profits made will be paid back to the whether the member is right or wrong. To tal
Lana Shabazz and her god-daughter Lanan at the Swainson home 8 THE WORKERS VOICE. Fridav. August 24, 1979 Lana Shabazz proudly displays her book