Up to 50 support staff at CedarBridge Academy are preparing to go on strike over plans to cut their hours.
The disgruntled workers say they "won't be able to make ends meet" if they work only 30 hours a week.
They are saying "enough is enough" and are ready to down tools if necessary.
The board of governors has put forward a money-saving proposal to cut the support staff's weekly hours from 35 to 30.
It affects administration assistants, cafeteria workers, security guards and maintenance workers - but not teachers.
Governors insist it is the only way they can save the jobs because of budget cutbacks.
But workers are now discussing strike action, having met with Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) representatives this week.
One support staff member, who did not want to be named, said: "100 per cent of the support staff are totally against this. We all feel the same way, we are all in solidarity over this.
"Everyone's pay is going to be reduced, we're going to be losing so much, it's going to hurt.
"We know times are hard, but we're talking about our livelihoods.
"Working 30 hours means we'd be part-time workers, except we'd still be expected to service the same number of students and teachers. This is one big mess-up."
The male worker said he didn't understand why support staff were being targeted as he believed the school had already "budgeted to pay all its staff... It's like we're banging our heads against a brick wall - no one is listening to us.
"We are sure there's going to be industrial action over this, it's the only way we can make ourselves heard.
"It is going to be our next step; we have exhausted everything else. We are ready for industrial action."
George Scott, chairman of CedarBridge's board of governors, said it had not been an easy decision to make and "governors had grappled with the idea all year.
He stressed that support staff would only have their hours reduced by five hours a week - or one hour a day.
Hard decision
Mr. Scott said: "There's been a cut in the school's budget, we got less than we wanted.
"It's been a hard decision to make, but with the current economy it's a sign of the times, lots of other businesses are doing the same thing.
"It's cutting back on hours or job losses. We are trying to keep everyone in work."
However, Mr. Scott insisted nothing had been set in stone as "talks were ongoing".
He said the governors had first put forward the proposal to the BPSU in December although talks had been delayed until this week.
Mr. Scott said: "Industrial action is not the best way to go about things, it's not going to make the situation any better.
"We all need to sit down and move forward collectively."
Mr. Scott works as a Union Organiser at the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) but insisted his position as chairman of governors was "a civic responsibility and nothing to do with the BIU."
Posted: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Comment by:
Robin Hamill
Perhaps my fellow Bermudians will start to appreciate the power and results of their votes at election time.
Posted: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Comment by:
Brian
5/35x100= 14.29 so as far as I can figure out 5 hours is 14.29 percent of 35 hours. 100-14.29=85.17 which is what is left from 100 after you take away the 14.29.
To go on strike is not a joke. Not only does it harm the people going on strike but it harms the infrastructure of the country. If there is a better recourse then take it.
Posted: Monday, March 08, 2010
Comment by:
Edward E. Smith
Do the Maths and do not Strike!
5 hours less (from 35) pay is the equivalent to a (16.67%) not 14% pay cut as calculated! That means there will be 93.34 % left and that sounds as a great contributor to taking care of basic expenditures. So to strike, have 0% of a job is foolish and irresponsible!
As harsh as it may sound, cut are being implemented world-wide. Case and point, in Miami, Florida, Jackson memorial Hospital, the best of the rest in the whole free world has just announced that there will be lay-offs up to 33 1/3rd % of its staff; and guess what, the other 66 2/3rds will not stike. A piece of bread is better than no bread al at all!
Edward E. Smith, PhD.
Leadership Scholar and Practitioner
Posted: Friday, March 05, 2010
Comment by:
Shaking my head
Could not have said it better Brian (well without the spelling and grammatical errors). The chickens have now come home to roost. I warned family and friends about what was coming but they still had faith in their beloved government. They couldn't see the forest because the trees were in the way. Bermuda, don't cry now, you asked for it, you got it.
I still love my country and my people but cheesh, please...please wake up!
Posted: Friday, March 05, 2010
Comment by:
Brian
5 hours less pay is the equivalent to a 14% pay cut. Make it 15% when government takes its increased payroll tax. If you factor what rents are and living expenses its going to be a stretch to make a living on the salaries that these worker are getting. The same people that voted for this government are the first to feel the pain. Isn't the PLP a Labor party? If money was saved and used wisely when it was plentiful we would not be in the position we find ourselves in today. I hope every one enjoyed the Festivals, the Premier's Christmas cards, the Opinions of foreign advisers, watching the Premier and friends Globe trotting and racking up huge bills, huge over runs on Government building projects,poor government accounting practices, Miss use of public funds (Victoria Secrete) Student free buss rides, and Free Tuition at Bermuda College. In fact we should all go to the College and enroll now. We are paying full price weather we take advantage of it or not. So much for the PLP being the people's party. The worst part is that the Government has no intention to scale back spending or correct their mistakes. My heart goes out to all those who are struggling to make ends meet. I am sure you will have much more company soon.
