The local business community has criticised the Bermuda Industrial Union for the “unacceptable” garbage backlog situation.Chamber of Commerce President Ronnie Viera told The Royal Gazette that the union “needs a reality check”.“Either they are going to be part of the solution or part of the problem.“We all know that the Government is in a deficit position and to add further cost by having to pay overtime is not acceptable. It is equally unacceptable to have trash accumulating around the Island particularly along prime tourist routes such as the South Shore Road at the height of the season.“If we do not all work together to solve the major problems we have, we will never get out of the situation we have been in for the last four years.”Meanwhile, Keith Jensen Bermuda Employers’ Council president, said that Government and the BIU ought to respect their collective bargaining agreement.Government announced on Monday that Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz had approved overtime for garbage collection workers to clear an Island-wide backlog.It said the backlog had accumulated as a result of industrial action at the Government quarry which was backed by a sympathy strike by the sanitation workers.“Sanitation and public works employees who went on strike without the dispute going though all of the steps of the grievance procedure or going to mediation were in violation of the spirit and the purpose of the CBA. Employees working in an essential service, such as the collection and transportation of refuse, who took strike action certainly appear to be in violation of labour law that has been around since 1975. The law for strikes in an essential service requires 21 days’ notice and this was not done,” said Mr Jensen.“There were no reports of the dispute being referred to a third party for mediation. All labour disputes involve mediation as an alternative to try to find a peaceful solution.“The BEC does not support the payment of staff who take strike action and rewarding staff with over time to clear up what they created without warning or notice. Taxpayers generally resent paying twice for a service that was not delivered the first time.“In these continuing, fragile economic times all parties — employers, employees and Government — must adhere to policies, procedures and the law to maintain good industrial relations. It is no time to repeat history and return to the rule of solving problems according to whom is the most powerful.”l See Editorial on Page 4