Bahamas Customs and Immigration is on Strike

[Waterway Guide]

Hundreds of Customs and Immigration workers have been on strike since Apr. 5 after new contract negotiations broke down, according to press reports. This affects Customs and Immigration offices throughout the entire Bahamas including, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, Abaco and Bimini.
Major delays and complete shutdowns have been reported, although Bahamas Defence Force officers have taken over some of the offices. How this has affected checking in at Bimini, West End, Green Turtle Cay or other popular ports of entry for cruisers is unknown at this point. Stay tuned for updates. -Mike Ahart, News Editor, WaterwayGuide.com

[Katiusha]

I wonder what they do for cruise ships while the workers are on strike...

[GordMay]

“... The strike has caused major delays at the Lynden Pindling International Airport and has completely shut down operations at Prince George Wharf, Arawak Cay, the Department of Immigration, and the main Customs and Immigration offices on Thompson Boulevard and Hawkins Hill ...”
More ➥ Customs and Immigration workers strike | The Tribune

“... Defence Force officers are manning Immigration booths and a skeletal staff of senior officers is at Customs...”
➥ Bahamas Press » Customs and Immigration in Day Two of Strikes

“... Travelers arriving in the Bahamas by boat or plane may continue to experience delays and long lines until the strike ends.

The main offices of the Customs and Immigration Department are closed because of the industrial action...”
➥ Bahamas: Flights delayed as customs workers begin strike GoAlert24 News- Intelliguide Corporate Travel Risk Management Solution

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by Katiusha

I wonder what they do for cruise ships while the workers are on strike...

I will have to ask my Aunt & Uncle. They are on a cruise that went through there on Monday.

[Canibul]

has anyone heard any updates on this? We're planning to head over from Florida in a "new to us" boat first week of May.

[roberttigar]

I am told that at the offices outside of Nassau, there are no problems. Bob

[SunDevil]

My Aunt and Uncle got back from their cruise and said they had no problems.

[Waterway Guide]

As of yesterday, the strike is over...at least for now. From my post at WaterwayGuide.com:
All Customs and Immigration personnel should be back to work today (Apr. 19), although Waterway Guide has not received any reports of cruisers, or even their guests flying in, having any significant issues caused by the 2-week strike. The Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union said it was abandoning its strike action after it formally received notice that the dispute would be heard before the Industrial Tribunal.

[GordMay]

The Customs and Immigration strike ended yesterday (Wed, April 18) and their trade dispute will be heard and tried before the Industrial Tribunal this week, according to their attorney.
More ➥ Customs staff end strike ahead of tribunal | The Tribune

[AnchorageGuy]

Actually the Customs and Immigrations Officers were ordered back to work on the 13th..

"Statement by Senator The Hon. Dion A. Foulkes Minister of Labour and Social Development 13th April, 2012

Pursuant to the powers conferred upon me by the Industrial Relation Act I have referred the Trade Industrial disputes which respect to the Customs and Immigration Union and The Commonwealth Electrical Workers Union (CEWU) (Grand Bahama Power Company) to the Industrial Tribunal.

According to law, this now ends the strike by Customs and Immigration Officers and defers the CEWU strike certificate effective today, 13th April, 2012.

All Customs and Immigration Officers must now return to regular employment duties.

The Industrial Tribunal will now hear both sides of the disputes and make a final determination. My decision to refer these disputes to the Industrial Tribunal was based on the public interest."

Chuck

[Waterway Guide]

Yes, they were ordered back on the 13th, but they would not all go back until they had the formal notice. They received that yesterday.