The United Artists Bahamas Union (UABU) today calls on the Minister responsible for Labour, the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, to intervene and prevent the certification of the recent elections held by the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union (BMEU) on August 29, 2024. UABU asserts that the BMEU’s self-nominated and unopposed executive body is in breach of both the BMEU Constitution and the Industrial Relations Act, making the elections unconstitutional.

“As the only legitimate union representing Bahamian creatives in the music and entertainment industries, we cannot stand by and allow these actions to go unchecked,” said a UABU spokesperson. “UABU has been working diligently to repair the damage caused by the previous union, and we believe that recognizing UABU as a partner by the Labour and Immigration Departments is crucial to ensuring that the rights and interests of Bahamian creatives are protected.”

UABU, registered as a trade union for less than two years, has made significant strides in addressing issues affecting Bahamian artists. This includes ongoing discussions with the Immigration and Labour Departments about the influx of foreign artists, DJs, and other performers who enter the Bahamas for work. Despite initial challenges, UABU believes
that effective regulation of the industry is possible with the necessary policy changes.

UABU was formed by former members of the BMEU who were dissatisfied with the BMEU’s failure to protect their rights and interests. The UABU leadership has also raised serious concerns about the BMEU’s handling of the Pension Fund for Bahamian musicians, including unauthorized loans made without pensioners’ consent.

“This press conference is an important step in bringing these issues to the public’s attention,” the spokesperson added. “We are calling on the government to amend policies to include UABU in the regulatory framework, ensuring that levies collected from performances go to the appropriate union. UABU will pursue all avenues to reclaim these funds on behalf of our members.”

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