Bahamas News
Bahamasair Execs say Flight Attendants sick out is “illegal”; COI Leader calls on Government to pay the Staff
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
The Bahamas, December 18, 2024 – A heated row over incremental payments when salaries of AAAWU members were raised between 2018 and 2023 has led to a major inconvenience to travellers on the national flag carrier, at least six flights were listed as cancelled due to an employee sick-out.
While Bahamasair executives, in correspondence obtained by Magnetic Media, have defended their position that every penny owed to the members engaged in the sick-out was paid, the Union leaders are adamant that monies remain outstanding and members want what is fully due to them.
It has moved from a row behind closed doors to an impasse which has now impacted public travel to destinations serviced by Bahamasair including Freeport, Grand Bahama; Ft Lauderdale, Florida; Rock Sound, Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour, Abaco.
In a statement from Bahamasair, the travelling public was told: “We regret to inform you that all afternoon flights scheduled for December 18, 2024, have been cancelled due to ongoing industrial action by Airport Airline & Allied Workers Union. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely empathize with the disruption to your travel plans.”
The fiasco has ignited heated social media commentary and has elicited reaction from Lincoln Bain, leader of the Coalition for Independents (a political party in The Bahamas).
“The Bahamasair union has decided to hold a sickout. This has adversely affected my travel plans. That said, I SUPPORT THE ACTIONS OF THE BAHAMAS AIR WORKERS WHOLEHEARTEDLY. The government increased the PM’s record breaking travel budget but refuses to
pay the Bahamasair staff what is owed and due to them,” Bain chastised the government for its management of the country’s airline, “They can find the money to fly first class around the world eating steak and caviar but refuse pay the staff. The Government spent $1,500,000 on a trip to London for Brave and Pintard but can’t pay the Bahamasair staff! Stand your ground staff! They always have money for them but never have money when it comes to the Bahamian workers.”
“I can assure you that the politically appointed executives get their money on time. I am tired of Bahamians being treated like last class citizens in this country. Stand your ground Team Bahamasair. Either that money will go to you or it will go to more first class flights for the Politicians.”
Media reports indicate that 12 of 16 flight attendants assigned to the morning shift called in sick, in a move that “significantly impacted airline operations.”
Bahamasair believes the union is being unreasonable, calling the agreement struck two years ago “a very good one for the AAAWU.”
The document explains there was an 11.5% salary increase, four increments were added to salary for each year except 2020 and a lump sum payment was designated to cover the Covid year, 2020.
It was explained, in order to catch up on the payments as the contract was signed with only seven months remaining in the year, there were accelerated payments. Bahamasair itemises them as November 18, 2022; March 2, 2023; June 3, 2023 and July 4, 2023.
With the payments made, Bahamasair says that they closed the matter.
For the AAAWU however, there still remains some funds unpaid and members are unflinching on the point that they are owed six incremental payments. It is unclear why the two entities have recorded such a difference in accounting.
It was also explained that the Labour Department has mediated negotiations and a final offer by Bahamasair to end the dispute was proposed. The claim by the AAAWU was for six more incremental payments to be made to the staff in question; Bahamasair countered with an offer for two payments.
The correspondence from Bahamasair informed that there was no further communication from the union and the action taken on December 18 was described as, “surprising and not in the interest of good relationship. Management is demanding that all staff return to work as this in an illegal action by the union.”
We have not been able, up to publication time, to access comments from the AAAWU.
To customers of the airline, Bahamasair advised this: For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Customer Care Center at 242-702-4140 or our Customer Relations team at 242-702-4159.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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