The BPSU has won a stay against the Government’s outsourcing of the New York tourism jobs because Government failed to live up to its obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement to consult with the union before undertaking any outsourcing or privatisation.
This is the classic problem with the Bermuda Government these days. It follows a pattern:
- A small group of insiders decides what they want from Government.
- Changed are rushed with little planning, or review of the consequences.
- At the 11th hour, a pseudo-consultation is held, but it’s really too late to change anything.
They willfuly have it wrong. Their behaviour is anti-democratic.
Consultation means allowing the affected parties to provide input to the policy making processes - in a way that actively shapes the outcome. It is not a just a cynical PR exercise to make the bitter pills we’re being served taste better.
Mmmmkay?
