[Updating] Members of the Electricity Supply Trade Union [ESTU] — who work at BELCO — met this morning [Oct 19] at BIU Headquarters, with the members seen leaving the meeting at around noon today.

Earlier this month, BELCO’s parent company Ascendant Group announced the “departure” of four senior executives — Denton Williams, Michael Daniel, Carol Ross-DeSilva & Zehena Davis — saying that ”two have resigned and two positions were made redundant.”

The four executives marked the second group of employees to leave the company recently, with three staff members having been made redundant last month.

On October 4th, BELCO workers gathered outside the building, and later that day Union officials confirmed that the ESTU “will be instituting a work-to-rule and demand the immediate reinstatement of the four qualified, displaced Bermudians.”

“This is the second time in the last 3 weeks that the ESTU had to call an emergency meeting with its members triggered by the displacement of Bermudians from the Company,” BTUC President Jason Hayward said.

“Over the past 3 years, approximately 20 qualified Bermudians were let go and the current actions of the Board and CEO seems to be ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back.’ Workers are genuinely concerned about their job security and want clarity on the Company’s direction moving forward,” he added.

We will update as able with confirmed information about today’s meeting.

Summary Of Updates As Of 6.30pm:

BELCO workers spent the morning meeting at BIU

At around 1.15pm, it was announced they voted to withdraw labour

Workers gathered outside BELCO for the afternoon

At around 2.15pm, BELCO said “because of the lack of manpower” they “cannot guarantee full electricity supply to the island.”

At around 4.00pm, workers held another short meeting outside BELCO

At around 4.30pm, Minister Brown said the Ministry “will work to bring the parties together to achieve some resolution.”

At around 6.00pm Ascendant said they obtained a Supreme Court order directing ESTU members “to return to their full employment effective immediately.”

Ongoing Updates

Update 1.05pm: In an online post, BELCO said, “Our Customer Care Office on Serpentine Road is closed until further notice. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.”

Update 1.27pm: Speaking at a press briefing just now, ESTU President Donald Lottimore said, “Our membership took a vote and as of right now, the work-to-rule has been halted and we are now withdrawing our labour, in order to make sure that the membership’s demands are met.”

When asked were they effectively on a strike, Mr Lottimore replied, “Yes, we are.”

Video of the press briefing

We have reached out to relevant entities for comment and clarification, and will continue to update as able.

Update 2.15pm: BELCO said “because of the lack of manpower” they “cannot guarantee full electricity supply to the island.”

A spokesperson said, “Ascendant Group Limited is, this afternoon, in receipt of a letter from the Electricity Supply Trade Union [ESTU] which states that the members have withdrawn their labour.

“This has an immediate impact on the operations of BELCO’s system. Because of the lack of manpower, and in order to ensure we can operate the plant safely, BELCO cannot guarantee full electricity supply to the island.

“In the case of outages, we will endeavor to maintain electricity supply to the essential services. As the industrial action continues throughout the day, our ability to maintain a reliable electricity supply is diminished and there is an increased likelihood of widespread outages.

“Medical Priority Customers should consider attending the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to ensure they have access to the required care and resources.”

Update 2.32pm: The video below is of a live stream of BELCO workers gathering outside. It’s just a general look, there aren’t any speeches or anything happening that you need to stay pinned to watch, but just provides a general look.

2-hour live stream replay

Update 3.25pm: As you can see on the live stream, workers continue to gather outside. Some people driving across have been beeping and waving in support and flyers are circulating with the CEO’s face and a Canadian flag with text alleging that he wants to give jobs to the Canadians. According to BELCO’s outage map there are currently zero outages, and and we continue to await further comment from entities involved.

Update 3.48pm: The beeps in support from some, not all, but some of the commuters continue, one lady just slowed down and yelled out ‘Stand your ground’ to the workers.

Update 3.59pm: One sign seen

Update 4.11pm: We cut the live stream above as the workers went over to have a meeting.

Update 4.14pm: The meeting seems to have ended and we now see BIU President Chris Furbert speaking to ESTU officials

Update 4.34pm: Minister of Home Affairs Walton Brown confirmed that the Ministry “had been in discussions with the ESTU.”

“This dispute has emphasized the importance of the issues at stake and where possible, this Ministry will work to bring the parties together to achieve some resolution,” he said.

Minister Brown also indicated that “discussions were ongoing and that further updates on any action taken by the Ministry would be provided.”

Premier David Burt termed Ascendant’s announcement regarding continued supply of electricity, “unhelpful, considering the need for both sides to work together in the best interests of Bermuda.”

Update 6.01pm: An Ascendant spokesperson said, “Ascendant Group Limited this afternoon obtained an order from the Supreme Court directing members of the Electricity Supply Trade Union [ESTU] to return to their full employment effective immediately.

“The order states that the ESTU ‘shall be restrained from contravening the Labour Relations Act 1975 by means of a strike or withdrawal of labour or any irregular industrial action short of strike which shall include picketing or any work to rule.’

“It is expected that ESTU members will comply with the order and return to work with immediate effect and normal operations will resume.”

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