Nominations for executive posts in the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCWU) was put off Tuesday following a court ordered stay, as a dispute over the membership of leadership contender David Beckford continues.
Beckford, a former hotel union leadership contender, was expelled from the union reportedly for a number of reasons.
BHCAWU President Nicole Martin, when contacted yesterday, told Eyewitness News that while it was not “appropriate” to disclose why Beckford was expelled from the union, the issues she said, are “well documented.”
Beckford, Don Fernander and Christopher Evans petitioned against the union for stay earlier this week, according to court documents, before Acting Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs. It was ordered that:
- An injunction is granted as against the defendant to arrest the nomination process scheduled for Tuesday May 8, 2018 for the nomination of officers and members of the defendant until this matter is disposed of or until further order;
- No order as to costs; and
- Each of the parties are at liberty to apply.
Due to the late notice, Martin said, the union did not appear in court and will await a ruling that is expected on Friday May 11.
In a statement to the press, Beckford who plans to lead “Team Destiny” in the union’s upcoming elections wrote: “We are aware that there are many rumors and allegations about why the hotel union’s nomination day and election has been postponed.”
He said, “it is because the matter is still before the courts. We choose not to make any further comments at this time until the matter is decided.”
