Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson said the decline of work ethics helped spark last week’s bus strike.Speaking to the Senate yesterday, Sen Wilson said: “The Department of Transportation incident is one example of many.“The deterioration of our work ethics and its negative impact on the workplace is pervasive. I implore all Bermudian workers today to redirect their energies and give 100 percent.”Last Wednesday, the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) announced that bus service would come to a halt after a veteran bus driver was fired.It is understood that the driver had called in sick as a driver, but then worked a different shift that same day re-fueling buses for a colleague.Union leader Chris Furbert called for the driver to be reinstated, stressing his 18-years of service, but the Department of Public Transportation stood by the decision by management, calling the driver’s action gross misconduct, and saying that he had been suspended for a similar incident in the past.The next day, Sen Wilson referred the dispute to the Labour Disputes Tribunal, making it unlawful to engage in a strike or industrial action short of a strike, but the bus strike continued until noon on Friday.Bus service resumed after the Ministry agreed to reinstate the driver, instead issuing him a five-week suspension.Senator Wilson said the industrial action demonstrated that ethics in the workplace is an issue that needs to be addressed.“I read the blogs, and from what I have gathered, Bermuda was appalled by the actions of the Department of Public Transport worker who called in sick for an extended period and so lacked respect for his employer that he was brazen enough to show up at his place of work to do a hustle for a colleague for several consecutive days.“What’s more, the same worker forged the name of the colleague he was filling in for.”She said that every employee has a responsibility to his employer, and to the same extent every employer has a responsibility to its workers.“The promotion of superior work ethics require a work environment wherein there is mutual respect between employer and employee,” she said.And while she stressed the important role that unions play, she said they must lead by example by demonstrating support for good work ethics and compliance.“History will record that Unions were established to seek protection for their workers in a time when the workers often times suffered abuses at the hands of their employers.“Unions fought for safe working conditions and proper medical care for themselves and their families. I sat at the feet of my deceased Grandfather, Robert Austin Wilson, who was one of the founding members of the Bermuda Workers Association, which later became the BIU, and I watched, listened and learned.“I have established what I believe to be a good working relationship with the Unions. In fact, when they reach out to me, I listen to their concerns and attempt to seek to provide win-win solutions. Likewise, when I reach out to them, they too will listen to the concerns I raise.“However, I cannot condone the deteriorating work ethic, or support non-compliance. The trade Unions are not above the law, but subject to it.”The Royal Gazette contacted Mr Furbert in connection with this story, but he has not commented as of press time.Useful Websites: www.gov.bm.