Submitted by Anthony Davis
The Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (BL&P) has been warned that it will not be allowed to send home workers before discussing the matter with the Social Partnership. Any attempt to do so will be met with strong resistance from the combined forces of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and Ministry of Labour, the union’s General Secretary Toni Moore cautioned today – Barbados Today
I sincerely hope that this is not another empty threat by one of the trade unions in this country. Recently they are better known for their bark rather than their bite, as they have not represented their constituents to the best of their abilities because they were sleeping too soundly in their beds with this Government.
I take umbrage at the behaviour of the head of the BL&P when she states that it is either layoffs or a rate hike. Is she a member of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) that she can make such an audacious statement?
In other words, does she have any say whatsoever in whether that company would be granted a rate hike?
What is the FTC’s take on that statement?
Why is the FTC’s silence so deafening on this matter?
I do not like the condescending tone of the head of Emera, because it seems to me that she thinks that Barbados is some banana republic! It is not even a republic yet – far less a banana one. Barbados is a sovereign and independent state, and if she does not like the laws of this country then she knows what she can do!
There are enough flights out of Barbados – she can even take a cruise to her destination – but we should not tolerate such an aloof stance from the powers that be at the BL&P.
It must be made abundantly clear to Emera that there is no getting around involving the unions and the Ministry of Labour.
“We must remember that a right lost to one is lost to all.” – William Reece Smith, Jr.
Pingback: Barbados Workers Union FACE OFF With Barbados Light & Power Company
Is Toni Moore’s public position against EMERA and BL&P be like Geronimo’s last stand?
@Bush Tea
Forget profits what about capex provision to replace old equipment?
Have you taken note Ian Carrington the Director of the NIS is Chairman of the Audit committee?
@Bush Tea
See the note in the Holdings 2014 financials:
Depreciation
Real Issue is that BARBADOS UNIONS are totally OUT OF CONTROL and have been for a number of years. Black union leaders and politicians have to realize that the slave days are over and individusl (plantation owners) are no longer in control but large corporations reporting to a group of shareholders who want profits. Efficiency, profitability come FIRST. Barbados’s inability to move from the 100’s to the 21st century in the it thinking is what is bringing the country closer to FAILURE each day. If Barbados does not wake up and smell the roses shortly they’ll be the new Haiti of the caribbean.
Barbados and Bajans should buy back BL&P.
it is an ESSENTIAL SERVICE.
Barbados is a de facto first world Republic. Act like one.
Hants April 18, 2015 at 9:03 AM #
Barbados and Bajans should buy back BL&P.
it is an ESSENTIAL SERVICE.
Barbados is a de facto first world Republic. Act like one.@
WHIT WHAT MONEY? MORE TAXES?BUY WHAT THEY CANT OR REFUSE TO PAY THEIR BILLS
@ Wily Coyote
“……..but large corporations reporting to a group of shareholders who want profits. Efficiency, profitability come FIRST.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Have you looked at Light and Power financials for the last 10 years?
PROFITS EVERY SINGLE YEAR…..
In the last three years they outperformed almost every other EMERA owned company in earnings per share…..something like $50M profit in 2013 according to BL&P website.
Obviously EMERA wants something else from Barbados, and the answer can be found in the Government’s recent announcement that Bizzy will be able to sell energy from his renewable systems and that BL&P will NOT be getting any exclusive license for 40 years.
You play that you don’t know how bullies operate?
You never played cricket with a fella that owned the ball and bat?
….You expect to give him out LBW?
@ David
Forget profits what about capex provision to replace old equipment?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bushie bozie? um is Wily talking about ‘profits’…
EMERA has to make a decision about major plant investments and they clearly will only do so if they are guaranteed continued milking of the L&P fatted cow.
Without a guarantee of continued profits they are just looking for an excuse to pull up stumps and leave Bajans without any bat or ball….and with only some old stumps.
LOL…. but no worry…Stinkliar to the rescue…
The DLP will buy the abandoned stumps for hundreds of millions of dollars
…pay additional millions to scrap them
…borrow many hundreds of millions to buy new stumps, bat and ball
…and then give them all to some other foreigner to start the process all over again
…cause that is what brass bowls do.
Mean this shiite was not OBVIOUS when we were selling off the shares for a fraction of their REAL value…???
@ David
Is this the same Ian Carrington who is responsible for the NIS?
….whose financials are years behind…
….whose computer systems have failed consistently after hundreds of millions spent by them?
…who sold their shares in BL&P and invested in Four Seasons?
…who had pensioners suffering
What Audit Committee bozie?
One cannot just blame EMERA, you have to blame greedy Barbadians who sold their shares to the highest bidder. We were told by a Canadian citizen Emera was the worst Electricity Company in Eastern Canada, but we still sold to them, so we are now reaping the fruits our our ignorance, and greed. Our Government Should never have sold BL&P to foreign investors, it is an essential service. The wealthy will live because they will put in solar power,but what about poor people, pensioners, etc., we are the ones who will have to go back to the kerosine lamps for light. Water should be another thing that should never sold out in developing countries, look at what is happening to our gas & oil industries, soon Barbados will not have anything they can call their own. Republic, yes, Banana Republic to the highest bidder.
Let me put in my 2 cents worth as this is one area I know (work in the elec power business for 30+ yrs in Bds, Canada and US). BL&P has always worked well under private Bajan ownership. One of the most reliable utilities in the Caribbean for years. And run by solid Bajan expertise. A few points.
First, I cannot understand why we don’t have a Liquidfied Natural Gas (LNG) supply on the island. Why are we still burning expensive bunker C or diesel oil when all the equipment can be easily converted to LNG fuel at least half the cost. LNG is transported to the U.S. and other places from Trinidad, including Dominican Rep and Puerto Rico. Evidence of NO energy policy in Bim. It can also be used to supply other business (even transport board buses) so there is no recurrence of the lack of gas for hotel kitchens that happened last year.
Second, Bim needs to do for solar power what they did for hot water heating, panels on all houses. The cost of solar elec panels these days is far less than what a house is paying for residential rates with oil based generation.
Finally, solar power coupled with utility power on LNG will create a very reliable and relatively (Caribbean comparison) inexpensive energy source that might even attract manufacturing back to the island. Bajans need to think outside the box and delete the “but…” from their thinking when ever new ideas are offered.
I am pretty sure one of the BU family posted Emera references from the Canadian press and the Bahamian press.Don’t recall the Nova Scotia based newspaper that printed serious complaints about Emera.The point is that the present MOF and the Cabinet were in,as now,serious monetary and fiscal straits and would have sold to the devil if he had offered what Emera offered,almost double the existing share price,seriously undervalued at the time.Further,BL&P were doing so well with the FAC that they did not go to the regulatory authority for almost 25 years!!!!
@Konkieman
An aggressive alternative energy policy cannot be implemented without considering BL&P’s revenue expectation. This is what happens when you allow a national strategic asset to fall to foreign ownership.
True David, but if you re establish local ownership with the right business plan to incorporate renewable energy it can work. For example, let the new utility get involved in installation and servicing panels. I agree Bim is too small for multiple owners of the power system, too inefficient for this. As much as I hate regulation, maybe dictating a level of return (8-10%) for an essential resourse may be the way to go for a small economy to be effective. Regulation does work in some cases.
@Konkieman
How can you regulate profit in a free market? Even it were possible there would be degradation of service so fast…
This is where an intelligent and forward thinking union can be relevant.
Let google be your new best friend.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/markets/stocks/summary/?q=ema-T
@Gabriel
Thanks David
But BL&P is guaranteed a rate of return of about 10%. This is part of the FTC agreement. BL&P’s beef seems to be that their revenue is declining, so obviously their profit will too. That’s not good for a public ally owned company which needs to show year-on-year increases in profit to sustain dividends and therefore share prices.
ants April 18, 2015 at 9:03 AM #
Barbados and Bajans should buy back BL&P.
it is an ESSENTIAL SERVICE.
Barbados is a de facto first world Republic. Act like one.
………………………………………………………………………………………
No fear! one day the people of Barbados will once again owned the BL&P, when Mrs Mac Donald can no longer carry home an annual bonus of CDB $5million, and the old engines at Spring Garden and Seawell have clapped out.
Like Haggatts sugar factory,and the Dipper, we will be forced to buy “old iron.”
ants April 18, 2015 at 9:03 AM #
Barbados and Bajans should buy back BL&P.
it is an ESSENTIAL SERVICE.
…………………………………………………………………..
And just a reminder that the Sanitation Service Authority is an essential service, so too are the Transport Board and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
David
Emera took effective control of BL&P when they bought the 38% shareholding of Leucadia. That was in march 2010. By July the same year they changed the CEO and before the end of the same ear, they divested their telecoms and fibre holdings.
They did not need to increase their shareholding to the current 80 percent to do what they are currently doing.The only reason why they made a bid for a takeover and increase their shareholding was that they recognized the importance of BL&P and LPH for their regional acquisition strategies and as a way to exploit our double taxation law so that profits could be repatriated.
To execute this strategy, BL&P must generate the growth in earnings and deliver a high return on equity (ROE) to their shareholders.
BL&P net profits in 2013 were $44 million. Emera wants it to be $74 million in the next two years. This is an unusually high level especially when one considers that this is based on operating revenues of $192 million.
Word is that BL&P may very well become DL&P in the coming weeks,that is Depleted Light & Power, as many of its employees,including many in ‘top’ management in the targeted age group have overwhelmingly opted for ”The Package,” and are set for disconnection with the company next Friday ,the 24th.
Anthony Davis
I have only just read this post and I can say without fear of contradiction that it is utter crap.
Prior to the passage of the Employment Rights Act, Government, employers and labour agreed on a protocol which was always observed in the breach. Part of the protocol set out a procedure for laying off workers. The protocol was in essence binding in honour only. IT NEVER WORKED.
With the coming into force of the Employment Rights Act a new regime was put in place to govern the lay off process. That procedure is now set out in law at section 31 of the ERA. The procedure is merely the enactment of that section of the protocol, with one notable exception. There is now no role for the Minister of Labour and the Prime Minister, as it should be.
Instead of being binding in honour only, the procedure now has the force of law. BL&P like all other employers must follow the procedure set out in the ERA or the lay offs might amount to unfair dismissal. The company is required by law to consult with the workers or their representatives if they are reducing staff by 10% or some other significant number. Protocol my (expletive) the lay off procedure is now set out in law.
Unfortunately, neither the BWU nor the blond Minister of Labour seem not to be aware of the contents of the Employment Rights Act. So far, BL&P has done nothing that offends against the laws of this country. BWU and the Minister of Labour have offended against common sense.
If this protocol was so important, why did Government not follow it when it was laying off workers? And further, why did BWU not insist that Government follow the protocol.
This noise that BWU and the minister is keeping is just sound and fury signifying nothing. All froth and no beer.
@ Tony “Kite”
There is a big difference between a 38% major share block and a clear majority share holding of 51% …..and even greater difference when holdings exceed 80%.
That 38% block had been held by Canadian and US interests for decades now, but due to government minority interest, along with multiple small shareholders, this share block was forced to exercise a degree of discretion, and generally respected local interests.
It was greedy local shareholders, led by government, who lobbied EMERA to buy their shares in search of a quick profit.
EMERA took the offer because any idiot could see that BL&P was worth MUCH more than the asking price….. it was simply a bargain.
Perhaps they subsequently saw the opportunity to use it in their attempt to exploit as many other regional utilities as possible…..but few others have been as gullible as Barbados.
Even with impressive profit numbers and earnings per share better than most other EMERA companies, calls are made for staff cuts and/or rate hikes.
A clear red herring…
Having made impressive capital gains in the deal so far, they are faced with the choice of funding needed capital expenditure…..or cut their profits and run…
Cuts in quality…
Cuts in maintenance…
Cuts in staff…
Looks like “ready, set ….Go” to Bushie
An old man told me of an old plantation house twhich was bought for a tidy sum, and under the cellar the new owner discovered a quantity of pure copper vats, which were used previously in the production of sugar. After these copper items were sold, he made almost as much money as he paid for the house.
A similar thing,I heard, happened to EMERA when it took over the BL&P. They found quite a bit of coppers, in the form of $Millions belonging,part of some Caribbean utility insurance scheme. They got out licking ,to say the least.
Didn’t the BWU pullout of the congress of trade unions? Has this undermined the social partnership?
Here is a link to serve as a reminder what happened to Light & Power Co and Emera.
http://www.ijac.org.uk/images/frontImages/gallery/Vol.2_No._1/3.pdf
Why did the Board of LPH vote to accept $25 which $8 dollars less than the independent valuation by KMPG?
Here is a link to serve as a reminder what happened to Light & Power Co and > Emera. > > http://www.ijac.org.uk/images/frontImages/gallery/Vol.2_No._1/3.pdf > > >
@david, 7:35 am
“Foreign exchange”
@Caswell
Good article. Facts are usually non-debatable.
Hanky panky.
”
On May 8, 2009 Barbados Light and Power Company Limited submitted an application to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) for a review of its electricity rates. In January, 2010 the Commission approved a 10% rate of return with the requested capital structure of 35% debt and 65% equity. The newly guaranteed rate of return and the strong indicators pointing to continued growth made the company extremely attractive to potential investors, or for that fact, acquirers. Almost immediately after the FTC’s decision, Leucadia sold its interests in LPH to Emera in May, 2010 affording Emera 37% ownership of the company and making them the largest shareholder.”
@Observing
How does anyone sell a key asset to support day to day spending?
Hanky panky. > > ” > > On May 8, 2009 Barbados Light and Power Company Limited submitted an > application to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) for a review of its > electricity rates. In January, 2010 the Commission approved a 10% rate of > return with the requested capital structure of 35% debt and 65% equity. The > newly guaranteed rate of return and the strong indicators pointing to > continued growth made the company extremely attractive to potential > investors, or for that fact, acquirers. Almost immediately after the FTC’s > decision, Leucadia sold its interests in LPH to Emera in May, 2010 > affording Emera 37% ownership of the company and making them the largest > shareholder.” > > >
@Caswell
Of course we have the law but there is a Social Partnership…
Hanky panky. > > ” > > On May 8, 2009 Barbados Light and Power Company Limited submitted an > application to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) for a review of its > electricity rates. In January, 2010 the Commission approved a 10% rate of > return with the requested capital structure of 35% debt and 65% equity. The > newly guaranteed rate of return and the strong indicators pointing to > continued growth made the company extremely attractive to potential > investors, or for that fact, acquirers. Almost immediately after the FTC’s > decision, Leucadia sold its interests in LPH to Emera in May, 2010 > affording Emera 37% ownership of the company and making them the largest > shareholder.” > > >
http://www.nytimes.com/video/business/energy-environment/100000003613973/utility-vs-homeowners-over-solar-power.html
@ David
…an interesting paper, but too vague, general and incomplete in its analysis.
It ignores too many basic human and other factors that would have influenced the whole exercise;
..the weakness of existing Board and management
..the extreme conservative management practices that depressed share values
..the personal share ownership of key players (purchased at the depressed value)
..the massive holding of cash in a self-insurance fund just sitting there
..the high levels of retained earnings
..the fact that for the first time in history, black management seemed imminent
..the inefficiency of LP Holdings which did very little but pay salaries and benefits
Perhaps EMERA were almost forced to make similar purchase offers to the local share owners as they made for the 30% (generally offers to buy shares cannot be selectively made to different share holders) …because key players wanted to cash out their massive shares at that point…
The reality is that with the imminent alternative energy revolution, most of BL&P’s assets will end up as stranded assets. The future calls for a major reinvestment in new technologies and approaches. Will Emera undertake such at high capital expense when they are not guaranteed monopolistic benefits? …or will they cut and run, …having already seized the copper vats and other goodies they realised had been lying under the cellars?
@Bush Tea
It is an academic paper and there was enough in the corporate governance review for the discerning to draw conclusions. The challenge will be how does the regulator manage/approve the transition where rooftops generate bulk of the power and the utility distributes. So far the FTC and government seem hellbent on protecting EMERA i.e. base load from fossil energy.
So far the FTC and government seem hellbent on protecting EMERA i.e. base load from fossil energy.
++++++++++++++++++++++
How do you deduce that when Darcy Boyce last week announced that generators of electricity from alternative sources (Bizzy) will be able to sell electricity under the new act?
Did Emera get the extension of the monopoly rights they wanted?
Why do you think they are threatening layoffs or rate hikes?
@ Caswell
You are correct about the union….
Besides, EMERA are not looking to make enemies, just money. They have invited employees to take separation packages ..and from all reports there have been no shortages of volunteers.
But these employees have been some of the most productive and efficient in Barbados – judging from BL&P’s past performance. So the employees may be happy to take the packages, but what becomes of BARBADOS…when the whole shiite falls apart? ..you got candles?
The Union is far too late with too little…
You are making the same mistake that they have……trying to REACT to the consequences of greedy business people rather that to PROACTIVELY influence events in the damn BOARDROOM.
Rather than sit back talking shiite about wages, the union should have been encouraging workers to acquire more shares when they were cheap and to consolidate their ownership THROUGH the union to gain a position on the Board.
THAT is how unions could be effective….not by scratching at crumbs left after the vultures have finished with the carcass….
@Bushie
What will change if the FTC maintains a tight cap on the rider(buy all). The alternative energy sector is poised for exponential growth.
BWU going up a big conglomerate like Emera not going to be easy, this would mean a consorted effort with the help of employees and members of BWU working together pulling out all the stops , the chief honcho at BLP has already made it clear who she is going to punish if BLP does a not get its demand, now this will be the ultimate testing of Toni Moore to see how vigilant an convincing an activist she is in protecting her members interest and the interest of the consumers of BLP who will be the biggest losers
@Bush Tea
Maybe yo are not factoring the EMERA model elsewhere. The shedding of engineers may just to enforce their model.
“….now this will be the ultimate testing of Toni Moore to see how vigilant an convincing an activist she is in protecting her members interest and the interest of the consumers of BLP who will be the biggest losers”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Just what we need… two women fighting for personal pride under a female referee …with our national power utility at stake….
We are well on the way to a Water works styled electric utility…..
The BWU had their chance with the NCC fiasco and ERT. To this day Toni Moore and the BWU have refused to lock horns with the government on this matter. History will record how the NCC workers were treated by this government. Politics again!
@ bush shite
…with our national power utility at stake…. OUR … who are the “OUR” … well last time i check majority rules…….
the fact being the BWU is going to have to present a compelling argument borne out of a relevancy which undermines the conglomerates of BLP and focusing on a partnership which involves a company involvement in producing facts and figures to the Union that implies that negative action before dismissal of employees
So far from what is being said Emera ‘barbados is dealing undercover which would lead one to believe that Toni is fighting an upward Battle going forward with an outcome that might have been already been sealed by the Company,,
Only things left now are the war of words which would draw the govt( into) with another standoffish approach by govt not to make waves
@Bush Tea
please!
Bush Tea April 19, 2015 at 9:07 AM #
But these employees have been some of the most productive and efficient in Barbados – judging from BL&P’s past performance. So the employees may be happy to take the packages, but what becomes of BARBADOS…when the whole shiite falls apart? ..you got candles?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
We will follow in the footsteps of LIME, and bring in technicians from India and some Caribbean countries, who are in no way ,as well trained as the BL&P’s technicians, and when these ‘knot hole stoppers ‘ encounter serious problems, Mrs Macdonald will call on the retrenched Technicians to come out,for a day’s pay and pull them out of the do do .
@all
The unions have to keep some noise, if not their irrelevance would be known. Let’s see what happens if the employees accept the “package” rather than fight.
@david
It made no sense but when you’re in a pickle you would probably even sell your ass as well as your assets.
@caswell
Has the CCJ judgment been ventilated in trade union circles given its mammoth significance?
Observing
Mammoth silence in the trade union movement is not an indicator that the leaders are not aware of any particular issue. The major problem in the movement is that operatives of the political parties have infiltrated individual unions and operate them in the interest their party and for their personal benefit.
The major players of the BUT have always been closely associated with the DLP. When the BLP is in office that union is most militant. However, when the DLP is in office BUT becomes a gathering of lambs. Also, when you see them agitating when their party is in power, you can bet that they are seeking to get one of their executive members or shop stewards promoted. And not necessarily promoted to a job that they are capable of doing.
It is so bad at BWU that you can’t even get a job there if you are perceived to be a supporter of the BLP. In the last government restructuring exercise, that union talked tough but did nothing tangible for the workers in the end. They are now seeking to rebuild their image on the non issue of BL&P offering voluntary separation packages. If the workers felt aggrieved they would simply refuse the separation packages.
If they do not get enough people coming forward, they would have to resort to lay-off that would have to involve the union. That process is now set out in law. BWU is only making noise in order to lift themselves out of irrelevance.
Over the last ten years the NUPW’s president was a committed DLP adherent. Even though the president has no real power in the union, according to its rules, the president had been able to set the agenda because for most of those ten years, the general secretary was a weak incompetent fool. In order to hide his unsuitability for the job, he allowed the president to take the lead and the union was led to George Street. To be abundantly clear, the general secretary was not a DLP operative, he was simply a P.I.G. according to Bizzy’s definition.
The executive of the NUPW for some time has been divided along party lines. During Maloney’s tenure the DLP held sway. The last election saw the BLP unashamedly pulling out all stops and funding the last campaign. That union is now BLP controlled which might lead to some militancy to benefit the party with the workers getting some representation, but for the wrong reason.
By the way, has the new treasurer resigned the presidency of Santia Bradshaw’s branch.
Observing, I said all that to tell you that the workers would only get representation if it suits the party that is aligned to the current executive.
Sent from my iPad
>
Interesting to note 389 teachers voted out of 2000 on Friday.
Amazing!
Saturday’s Sun highlighted the atrocious urban decay and filth in the area know to most Bajans as the Old Eye Hospital, an important link between the UNESCO Heritage sites of Bridgetown and the Garrison.
What has this to do with BL&P ? Cast you mind back to the last days when the BL&P was managed by locals, and greatly owned by local shareholders. At the open location west of the Old Eye Hospital,there was a giant billboard, announcing a joint venture between the Barbados Light and Power Company and the Barbados Board of Tourism, in the development of the Bay Street seaside area stretching from the Old Fish market to the Careenage.
This grand project was the second casuality of EMERA’s take over. Profits made in Barbados are not for the benefits of Barbadians or Barbados.
One thing in the Emera plan that really caught my attention was their vision to make Barbados a model for the world, a true green destination and green economy
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/66072/agree-renewable-plan#sthash.QqKFmkRr.dpuf
Observing April 19, 2015 at 11:18 AM #
@all
The unions have to keep some noise, if not their irrelevance would be known. Let’s see what happens if the employees accept the “package” rather than fight.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Bobby Morris a long standing top executive of the Barbados Workers Union, could not stand up to EMERA, as the issues which are now being played out before our very eyes, were written on the wall, loud and clear, from the inception of EMERA’s take over. But now a condescending, arrogant and bullying Bobby Morris wants to rammed the Republic of Barbados issue down the throats of Barbadians.
In 1979 when the Barbados Defence Force was established, it is said that the then Prime Minister JMG Tom Adams went into certain older secondary schools and recruited many Cadet Force Under Officers, to become officers in the BDF, with the view of given them their first break and their first pay packets, they would have become blindly loyal to him. And to a lesser extent he did the same when he sent his military emissary to West Germany to recruit retiring Bajan British Soldiers.
Prime Minister Stuart, has taken a leaf out of Tom’s book, by re-employing those who have been rejected at the last and previous polls, by the people of Barbados. These people will remain blindly loyal to the PM.
You are quite correct , FracturedBLP, the man is a General.
Barbados dollar is strong compared to the Canadian dollar. Emera shareholders are likely to be monitoring.
http://www.oanda.com/currency/historical-rates/
Sarah vs Toni refereed by Esther…….panty power fuh yuh.
Colonel, that’s an interesting observation that, “…when the Barbados Defence Force was established, it is said that the then Prime Minister … recruited many Cadet Force Under Officers, to become officers in the BDF, with the view … they would have become blindly loyal to him. “.
But as a military man isn’t that fundamental commonsense that any leader ensure a strong loyalty of his trained military officers to safeguard against coups or other extra-legal concerns from that group.
There are many (too many) instances of those fellows trained at the top military colleges becoming too bored with taking orders from politicians and taking matters into their own hands.
Although Barbados could easily have been put-down like a Grenada, surely Tom was smart enough not to put himself in the position to get anywhere close to that.
@ David
Bush Tea….please!
+++++++++++++++
What David??!!
It is true….!!
…..not politically correct, but true…
@ Hants
One thing in the Emera plan that really caught my attention was their vision to make Barbados a model for the world, a true green destination and green economy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not sure if your tongue is stuck in your cheek or if you are being as naive as you are about the DLP…. but you should be careful of what you allow to baffle your brain….remember…..the easiest way to deal with a fool is to make them promises….
Speaking of which…
@ AC
Bushie will be nice to you in future and will respect you as a woman. You are an intelligent, valuable asset to the BU family…..ours will be a model relationship for the world ….they will be green with envy….
Raaaaahhhhha ha ha ha … LOL…
ohhh shiirt!!
I disagree with the title of the article.
How can the Union have a face off with the BL&P when the union is busy with its face downwards and backwards looking to see where it left its BALLS?
‘@ac ”fighting an upward Battle going forward with an outcome that might have been already been sealed by the Company,”
Already sealed by the Company? Ah, now you are basically and (likely correctly), inferring that the Union is impotent, rather than important.
Hey lookie folks, something I agree wid ‘ac’ on……dang…looka da….wuh loss.
Bushie, you like you been lathering ‘miss ac’ wid some of your rod of wisdom!
”social partnership?”
Load of bollocks. Translation… a scheme to make the workers take what them who got authority wish to give them.
Stupse.
@ Bushie,
I posted the link to that comment. I thought the article was relevant and interesting. (Jerry Franklin is managing director of EnSmart Inc. Franklin is an engineer, energy auditor, equipment tester, and energy solutions provider.
@ Bush Tea April 19, 2015 at 8:41 AM
“The reality is that with the imminent alternative energy revolution, most of BL&P’s assets will end up as stranded assets. The future calls for a major reinvestment in new technologies and approaches.”
You are implicitly arguing that the burning of fossil fuels is on its way out.
So what are the implications for Barbados’s much vaunted offshore drilling programme? Would growing risk averse investors in the fossil fuels exploration business sink billions off Barbados and to sell to whom? Trinidad for on-sale to Barbados?
Unless Emera gets what it is demanding to ensure it recoups its investment in that Spring Garden plant along with profits satisfactory to its shareholders it would leave it like an unwanted child at the doorsteps of the republic of Barbados.
Barbados’s only hope is to make a major find of natural gas to feed an upgraded generation plant. Unreliable solar and wind will not cut it as far as meeting the country’s energy needs are concerned.
The Government should be moving to put pressure on the BL&P to put many of the transmission lines underground in the urban areas of St. Michael, Ch Ch and St. James. What are they waiting for? A category 4 hurricane? Broad Street has always been without unsightly dangerous poles why not other areas.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/solar-power-surging-to-forefront-of-canadian-energy/article19786759/
http://canwea.ca/wind-energy/installed-capacity/
@MOF,
try posting using a different moniker. I am sure you are NOT an MOF.
@ Hants
Forget MOF’ aka ac.
On Sunday, 19 April 2015, Barbados Underground wrote:
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@bushshite. Now here this ac would give you a negative vote each and every time u comment to confirm my degree of intellect..btw on a higher level of intelligence on a scale of one to ten your arrogance has reached a level far more superior than god u have more often than not attached a whole lot of words like corn kernel on a shoe string exuding with bombastic excitment that baffles and confuse even god.
@Bush Tea
The ‘please’ was to continue your stellar comments and turn the other check to the idiotic comments from ac aka MoF. It detracts!
@david
389 is a major improvement over past years. Lol.
@caswell
Understood. Rewind to the days of Adams and Walcott and we see that the more things change the more they remain the same.
Dee Ingrunt Word April 19, 2015 at 1:21 PM #
There are many (too many) instances of those fellows trained at the top military colleges becoming too bored with taking orders from politicians and taking matters into their own hands.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
When we as soldiers salute, the full open palms of our hands are displayed openly to the front for all to see, indicating that our hands are squeaky clean, unlike those of most politicians.
Some times we are forced to do a bit of palm scrubbing and degreasing.
@Miller
The Government should be moving to put pressure on the BL&P to put many of the transmission lines underground in the urban areas of St. Michael, Ch Ch and St. James.
+++++++++
What flight of fancy are you on? Do you expect that a company that throws around nickels like manhole covers will find the will to lay Hydro transmission lines underground through those areas? Or do you expect the Gov’t to pay the bill as part of its urban renewal strategy?
It is a pity that Sir Roy Trotman, Toni Moore and the BWU did not display just as much enthusiasm in representing the former Transport Board employees who had to wait almost 9 months to receive their severance payments, as well as the former NCC employees who, after one year of waiting, are yet to be paid severance or their case to heard before the ERT.
Hants April 19, 2015 at 2:57 PM #
According to the word on the street, the recent shooters and car wreckers are friends of MOF, the real one.
Another long drawn out investigation ,if this is so?
Wait ! what is the status of the disputes which BWU have with Sandy Lane and Colombian Emeralds, or Royal Shop, whichever ?
Colonel
Once there was a dispute with Cable and Wireless and some people got Blackberries and voila dispute settled. Just imagine the possibilities with those mentioned.
Sent from my iPad
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Solar at grid parity in most of world by 2017
By Giles Parkinson on 12 January 2015
Investment bank Deutsche Bank is predicting that solar systems will be at grid parity in up to 80 per cent of the global market within 2 years, and says the collapse in the oil price will do little to slow down the solar juggernaut.
In his 2015 solar outlook, leading analyst Vishal Shah says solar will be at grid parity in most of the world by the end of 2017. That’s because grid-based electricity prices are rising across the world, and solar costs are still falling. Shah predicts solar module costs will fall another 40 per cent over the next four to five years.
Even if electricity prices remain stable – two thirds of the world will find solar to be cheaper than their current conventional energy supply. If electricity costs rise by around 3 per cent a year, then Deutsche’s “Blue sky” scenario is for 80 per cent of countries to be at grid parity for solar.
“We believe the trend is clear: grid parity without subsidies is already here, increasing parity will occur, and solar penetration rates are set to ramp worldwide,” Shah notes.
Deutsche Bank says unsubsidised rooftop solar electricity costs anywhere between $US0.13 and $US0.23/kWh today, which is well below retail price of electricity in many markets globally.
“The economics of solar have improved significantly due to the reduction in solar panel costs, financing costs and balance of system costs,” it notes. And further cost falls over coming years will come from improved panel efficiencies, and falls in balance of system costs due to scale and competition.”
Barbadian always find it hard to see the light.
Rooftop solar-$0.13-0.23US/KWh – ($0.26-0.46BDS/Kwh).
Before oil prices fell Bl&P rate: $0.80BDS/kWh.
Current rate: approx. $0.44BDS/kWh.
Rooftop solar is grid parity in Barbados.
Barbadians need to stop complaining & put their money in solar.Stop the long talk or you will miss the boat.
@ Brad
Technology is moving in such a direction that, even apart from the correct financial analysis from Deutsche Bank, solar and wind energy is conducive to being individualised….where each home and business can conceivably own their own power systems.
This is what has happened to public transport where in many areas, people have opted -often at much higher cost- to acquire their own means of transport rather than utilise the cheaper mass transport systems.
This is now inevitable in energy.
A forward thinking Power Company should have seen this coming and been moving towards this new business model. Instead, the Electric Company has been trying to fight against alternative energy promoters…. and are only now trying to develop utility styled solar generation when that fight was lost.
Inept management thinking.
Don’t be surprised if Bizzy is the man behind the new push now to put a power plant on every roof….. he has been preaching this gospel now for years.
Where there is no vision, the power company will suffer….
BTW….How many are leaving BL&P?
Is tomorrow the end of an era?….when a Canadian company barely 20 years old, has been able to come to Barbados and effectively destroy a 100 year old Bajan success story through corporate greed?
Sounds like Almond all over again to Bushie….
Bush Tea..
It is to be remarked that, even before Bizzy Williams came on the RE scene, we had our own pioneer, James Husbands, leading the Solar Water Heating market which, in my humble opinion, is the logical precursor of the RE industry
I have a healthy respect for James but a few might ask why, having blazed a trail in the heater water charge, for so many years, why he did not go further in R&D and advance the thrust of renewable technology so many years ago?
No international agency involved in RE would have refused his firm a grant in this sector.
We always seem to follow but never lead.
@ David
“We always seem to follow but never lead’
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Exactly….it takes a cultural metamorphosis to change from followers to leaders…
…..and the major and extended investment in education was intended to change that.
Unfortunately, the vision was hijacked and we have instead now reached the stage where, after that educational investment, we are now ACTIVELY inviting white people, especially rich foreigners, to rebuild a modern version of the old Plantation system.
There is NO WAY that the kind of leadership currently at UWI can be depended on to develop REAL leaders when they themselves represent the epitome of mendicancy..
…reparations Bushies’ donkey…always looking for easy money.
BTW..
Did Husbands even ‘lead’ the solar water heater thing…or was he a convenient front man…?
The positive out of the imbroglio sparked by the scuffle on Mount Olympus is the scrutiny being given the education by John Public. There should be consensus we hope that some overhaul is required. The challenge will be how to execute if we ever get to the stage. We have never demonstrated the will to create a system which marries output from education to maximizing economic and social output to feed GDP and HDI in a sustain manner.
There have always been formal meetings of Ministers of Education of the three campus territories with the Campus hierarchy.Is it possible that this is a thing of the past?How come Jones is not leading the charge?Or how come Sinckler and Stuart are appearing to lead the charge.Who feels intimidated by the ‘awesome’man of Mount Olympus,such that the Pee Em resorts to a cowardly challenge at a Sunday School bully pulpit to deliver his charge and run.Bullies and cowards cannot accomodate a tete a tete.They are hit and run specialists.
@Caswell
The BWU has won a victory if only moral by forcing BL&P to delay he layoffs slated for today.
David
A Pyrrhic victory indeed. It does not make sense. The BL&P acted within the law. This nuisance union and silly Minister still have not worked out that the procedure for lay-offs in the protocol has been superseded. They are only trying to give the impression that they are doing something.
Who the hell do they think they are? An adult employee submits a request to accept an early retirement package and the union and this silly woman decided that the worker is stupid and must be protected from himself. If workers, who asked for early retirement, wanted the union’s assistance they would have asked for its help. If I were them, I would sue the union if BL&P withdraws the offer.
The workers at NCC, NHC and the Transport Board needed the union’s help. Why did the BWU not vigorously represent the workers that sought their assistance but is now coming out making fools of themselves? Did the minister forget that there was a protocol during that period? They must all think that the average Barbadian is a fool.
Sent from my iPad
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Bushie wrote “when a Canadian company barely 20 years old,”
Facebook is only 10 years old and worth $200 Billion.
Bush Tea April 23, 2015 at 7:18 AM #
Sounds like Almond all over again to Bushie….
But Bushie, don’t forget the upside of Almond departure.
Stuart, Sinkler and Sealy were able to induce Butch to take over Casurarina with only 40 years of tax concessions the ordinary Barbadian taxpayer will will have to cover, and the taxpayers gets to pay Bernie to manage Heywoods until Butch takes that over (if ever) with those same (or more) concessions.
@ Hants
…and your point is….?
Those are simple FACTS….
Facebook shiite…. In five years that will probably be a memory… Barbados NEEDS BL&P.
Why did Emera not buy Ontario Hydro and scrap it like they are doing here?
…because no where are there such brass bowls as Bajans….Not even next door in St. Lucia.
@ DD
Correct.
As Bushie has said over and over (and will likely repeat least our bowls miss it…)
We will eventually clean up the whole EMERA mess when our government (UWI educated);
… buys out the BL&P abandoned stranded assets left when emera skips town
….pay to have it all dismantled and dumped (obsolete stuff)
…borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to buy some scam stuff
…give forty-year tax concessions to a new set of foreigners to take it over (possibly another one of Bizzy’s friends who he recommends to a minister..)
…and start the whole process of being french connected (UK) all over again…
Cause that is what brass bowls do….
How does a Company which has NEVER experienced an operating loss in the last 30 years cut staff by 40% to “effect savings”….
…and the government buys that explanation????? well THEY would….
…and they do so by giving golden handshakes to employees??? …RIGHT!!
OBVIOUSLY there is a hidden agenda….. Emera is simply looking for a way OUT …after killing the fatted BL&P calf and taking all the meat home to Canada…
Their other alternative will be to invest at least $400M into new technologies here – in an environment where they will NO longer have monopoly status and guaranteed profits….
LOL
invest THEIR money into OUR future without absolute guarantee of recovery times ten..???
Wait for THAT to happen…..
LOL ha ha ha
Was floored to hear the minister on the news confirming BL&P delayed the separations today out of courtesy because of today’s meeting but will likely go ahead anyway. All in the name of protocol we suppose.
David
Are you now convinced that this minister would more look the part if she were BLOND.
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David April 24, 2015 at 12:33 PM
What victory? I am certain that I heard Dr Byer, stating that , after the meeting, she supposed that BL&P will go ahead anyway and do what it has to do. Whose time are they wasting? Who are they trying to fool? Many men now have their packages in hand and are scheduled to part company ,next Thursday.
@ Caswell Franklyn April 24, 2015 at 4:02 PM
“The workers at NCC, NHC and the Transport Board needed the union’s help. Why did the BWU not vigorously represent the workers that sought their assistance but is now coming out making fools of themselves? Did the minister forget that there was a protocol during that period? They must all think that the average Barbadian is a fool.”
But the “average Barbadian is a fool” indeed. And they have a government that truly represents their ‘foolish’ interests.
Judging from the promises made to them since 2008 do you think it is unfair to label them fools? Remember a promise is a comfort to a fool but too many broken promises
can be likened to a backstreet abortion of his commonsense.
Neither the government nor the Unions (except Unity, of course) has either integrity or credibility among the intelligent minority of Bajans, which includes you Caswell and, grudgingly, Bushie. LoL!!
Those 68 are going home after all the huff and puff by the BWU.
http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/04/24/blp-confirms-68-layoffs/
It is cheaper for BL&P to buy rooftop solar from producers at around $0.39BD & then sell public at $0.44BD. Rooftop Sol. is cheaper than the Grid , this is the key.
Power Companies around the world are closing coal, nuclear & diesel generators because even if the fuel to operate them was free roof top solar is still cheaper.
BL& P will shut down / retire the older generators.
Bl&P workers need retraining in renewables.
Rooftop Solar Panels Are Cheaper Than Coal In the Philippines
Carlos Jericho Petilla is the Secretary of Energy for the Philippines. He recently explained that rooftop solar panels are now cheaper than coal there. “As a simple example, the cost of electricity from a coal plant can run up to P5.50 per kilowatt hour, plus P6.50 for distribution and transmission, which amounts to P12.00. If you install solar panels on your rooftop, you will only spend P9.00 per kilowatt hour for generation and no cost for distribution or transmission. This already saves you up to P3 per kilowatt hour.” His statement appeared in a Department of Energy document titled, “DOE Sec. Petilla: Renewables Pave the Way to Energy Security in the Philippines.”
Is the FTC prepared to trust the base load of energy to intermittent supply?
When is Sir Leroy going to take the training wheels off his successor?
Colonel
There is nothing wrong with Sir Roy staying on to help the new General Secretary for an extended period. To use your analogy of riding a bicycle with training wheels: we see it all the time, when a parent has a physically or mentally challenged child the training wheels stay on a bit longer. There is no difference in the BWU scenario.
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@ Mr. Caswell Franklyn
Some would purport that the pejorative work in that bicycle is “riding” the bicycle but you are the consummate politician and recall that “fools rush in, where angels fear to tread..”
I remember the beginning verse of a book i read long ago, purposely plagiarized her to make a point about aging warriors who do not know when to put down their “swords” hehehe
“Long after his kindergarten schoolmates had gone home, Johnny remained in the sand pit playing proudly mindful that his father, Jose & Jose Truckers, had brought the sand to replenish his school’s sandpit’s dwindling supply…”
My Credit Union, my bicycle, operative word “my”
So much for Sarah bowing to the wishes of the BWU and the Minister of Labour ,and as the latter put it,”postponing any action while talks are ongoing” or words to that effect. Both unionised and non unionised employees accepted their packages and parted company with BL&P last Friday, 24 April.
The Minister is fast becoming like the West Indies team, cannot win a match.
With so many BL&P employees being retrenched, one wonders what is the future of the very vibrant BL&P Credit Union.
BL&P plans to send home 50 if news reports are to be believed. This time they probably wrote to the minister. Was that our friend Mr. Worme who was offered a package which he accepted? Signs and wonders!
Not only Mr Worme, David, but many more of the management team,including the boss of Spring Garden and the Airport Generation Department. Some people who were due to be retired in January 2016, were sent home, with the package, plus full pay until January 2016.
Yesterday as I walked the city, I saw a couple on communications linesmen, sporting the Erickson Logo. Can we in the near future expect to see Light and Power being services by Linesmen from Ontario Hydro or Saskatoon Power and Light?
Those BL&P employees that were “terminated” will probably find jobs as Barbados transitions to renewable energy.
That is if they want to work. Some of them will surely become “consultants”
More progress in Solar.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tesla-launches-powerwall-home-battery-with-aim-to-revolutionize-energy-consumption-1.3056587
This is good news Hants and will encourage more off grid setups. We need the battery to be affordable which will come with greater production.
Whatever happens, I hope that they do not give any local entity the franchise to manufacture the batteries locally,as in the Caribbean, as we will end up with batteries with a severely reduced life span, as we did with the ,deceptively T&T manufactured, Tropical Battery.
We need to start now in making provisions for the disposal of these high capacity batteries,including those in electric cars ,and not wait until the problem is right in our faces.
Barbarians and selfhate..
I truly believe that the Barbarians Educated are so selfish that reguardless of what ever any other Blacks Barbarians do or wanted to do. They will be another sellout Black Person or Personnel out they somewhere just waiting to take them out. Our history is all about “I have mind” to hell the rest you get yours.
It is sad but true.
Pummpy