Over the years Bermuda has been rocked with labour disputes that often crippled services causing many to wonder whether any type of disagreement should be allowed to disrupt basic day to day activity necessary for continuity to our labour infrastructure.

Any union representing workers is duty bound to leave no stone unturned in seeking fair play for its members, and that is why it is always hoped that labour agreements with management are well thought out in order to protect the employer and the employee.

With the current job issue an extremely delicate and controversial matter it is puzzling how any reduction of staff, especially in the hotel industry, would not be preceded with the top brass from both sides holding vital talks as to how best to make adjustments without setting off reaction that could be detrimental to both sides. While it is true that management has to manage, it is also true that unions involved should never feel sidelined when agreements are in place to avoid a clash of interest, that unresolved, leads to labour unrest and often unpleasant consequences.

What is baffling to the general public is that such disputes are not thrashed out between both sides before things explode into bitter exchanges that make negotiations even more difficult.

Whether the Fairmont Hotel Executive held meaningful talks with the Bermuda Industrial Union regarding cutting staff seems questionable, because it is unlikely the situation would have escalated in such an angry outcry from the BIU over the process. Even if talks were held to alert the union about redundancies, disagreements should have been sorted out in the interest of both sides before snowballing into a labour frenzy.

There is much to be worked out before the dust settles, and the longer disputes last the potential for tempers to reach boiling points is high. That is not good, because some statements carry a tone of incitement that is deeply troubling to people who want reason to prevail in seeking a solution. Even with people who have problems with some union decisions from time to time, there is concern that hotel management appears not to have exhausted every avenue in tying to avoid an impasse.

That may not be the case, but from reports so far, there is no indication that a meeting of the minds was such, that a solution was possible to the satisfaction of everyone concerned.

It is easy to be critical of the BIU for expressing a willingness to stand firm regardless of the cost, but on the other hand it takes two to tango and management must also be held accountable since both need each other. No one wants to hear the words ‘Bermuda is closed’ which rang out from the Armed Forces radio service in the United States during a major strike here some years ago. Some believe we never fully recovered from that shut down. Once again we have essential services downing tools in support of other union workers. The Government must be seen to be more aggressive in seeking a solution. This may involve taking a harder look at what transpired without bias for the good of the Island and the people.

The public need to know that our leaders are more concerned about the right thing to do when it comes to the welfare of the people. This is certainly not a time to allow disagreements, labour or otherwise, to spin out of control placing Bermuda in a precarious state that is not a positive in attempting to move forward. Let’s hope before any further incidents strong minds will intervene to get this Island back on course.

Disagreements in any democracy can be healthy, but when divisiveness turns bitter and slips out of control the victims are usually the people. Bermuda has come too far to allow any disagreement to destroy what so many have worked so hard to build.

This dispute must be settled fairly and quickly for the benefit for all.