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Jobs crisis underlines importance of union's financial accounting - BDA chairman Fahy

Premier Paula Cox’s admission she can’t guarantee all jobs are safe has underlined the importance of Bermuda Industrial Union filing its accounts, according to Bermuda Democratic Alliance chairman Michael Fahy.Mr Fahy has repeatedly called for the BIU to let its members know how much money is in the coffers in case they lose their jobs and need financial support this summer.But still nobody knows what’s contained in the BIU’s financial statements for the past several years.The statements for 2003 to 2009, which were supposed to have been filed under the Trade Union Act 1965 before the first day of June every year, were only submitted to auditors this month.Last week they were said to be in the process of being prepared for the Registrar General, but no update has been provided since then.Mr Fahy told The Royal Gazette yesterday: “For the last two weeks we have been asking questions about the state of the finances of the BIU so that the workers, who have paid their union dues, know the true state of the financial situation of their union.“I have been approached since then by a fair number of members who are looking for answers who are fearful of speaking out that want answers.“It is simply unacceptable that no one is able to answer the questions that have been posed. These questions are all the more important now that the Premier is unable to give any guarantees on not making redundancies in the public sector.“Has the BIU now submitted their accounts to their auditors or the Registrar? If not what is the Registrar going to do about it?“The Registrar was not satisfied with the 1999 to 2003 accounts and the way they were presented. What is going to be done about that?“Are Union dues and receipts from the Union’s interests or properties, if any, invested for the members’ benefit for a rainy day such as redundancies?“If members are made redundant will there be funds available to help support union families? If members strike will they be entitled to strike pay?”About 600 Bermuda Public Services Union members marched on Cabinet last week calling for guarantees there will be no redundancies if members accept a pay freeze.But Ms Cox stated on Thursday: “The union is fully aware that Government cannot include a guarantee of no redundancies in an agreement.”Registrar General Marlene Christopher could not be reached yesterday. The BIU has not responded to any questions about its accounts this month.