February 9, 2014

Dear Sir,

Be the change you wish to see in the world — Mohandas Ghandi

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert for his response to the apology made by Joanne MacPhee, regarding her inappropriate actions, in the context of a well documented series of events.

The BIU president, in accepting her apology, overcame any of the negative emotion that had been generated and expressed the hope that Mrs MacPhee would retain her employment. Mr Furbert’s response provides an example to the Island, offering a metaphoric North Star for us all, as we navigate this most difficult period of Bermuda’s history. Our five years of economic downturn has been unprecedented and our social fabric is stretched.

In the face of the prolonged crisis, polarisation has grown in our society, as emotions are strained. Mrs MacPhee’s initial reaction to the march had the potential to exacerbate that trend. However, her apology had led Chris Furbert to choose a transformative response.

In my 17 years as a Labour Relations Officer any success came when parties could understand that disputes are characteristic of being human. It’s not if we will have disputes, but how we handle them. An appreciation of each other’s uniqueness empowers disputants to make lemonade out of lemons.

Over that long tenure, I had the opportunity to work with Mr Furbert scores of times, during which I learnt that his favourite saying is “ ... let me say this respectfully”. It is in maintaining a sense of mutual respect among those who interact in a society that strengthens the social fabric.

Some decades ago I was intimately involved in two other crises in Bermuda’s history which provide me with some perspective. They included the Burrows and Tacklyn hangings in 1977 and the General Strike of May 1981. Those chapters took our island to the edge; however they offer us lessons that can benefit us today.

Mr Furbert’s expressed hope that Mrs MacPhee would retain her job, provided a ‘light’ during stormy times. Given the long duration of this current crisis, we might all reflect on how we can contribute to enlightening our shared circumstance. With the example of Chris Furbert’s response to Mrs MacPhee, rather than being caught up by our emotions, we might also let our lights shine. Thus together we can ensure a new Dawn in our Island home.

GLENN FUBLER