Sandals workers' union cries foul after layoffs

Industrial action may be brewing at Sandals Resort on Cable Beach as The Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) claimed resort officials had failed to formally notify them that they were laying off 80 people this week.

Legal advisor to the BHMAWU, Obie Ferguson, called on Labour Minister Dion Foulkes and Director of Labour Harcourt Brown to address the issue immediately, otherwise the organization "would do what it has to do in a bid to have the issue resolved."

"I am giving the minister of labor a fair opportunity to respond to this," said Ferguson at a press conference held at his law office. "I am going to give the director of labor a fair opportunity, and I am going to give Sandals General Manager Michael James a fair opportunity before I do what I normally would do, because I find this almost unacceptable."

His statements came a day after the 80 employees were laid off from the property.

According to Ferguson, notification of the job losses was sent to Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union President Roy Colebrook by way of a letter dated August 31, while he as legal counsel for the BHMAWU received the letter on Tuesday, the same day the workers were laid off.

He labeled that move disrespectful and stated that Sandals' management is aware that the BHMAWU is the bargaining agent for the workers, who recently voted for BHMAWU to represent them.

"If we all go on strike they would not only say it's inconsiderate; they would say they want to destroy the country. Look at how bad it is," Ferguson said.

"I am asking the minister and Brown to meet on this like yesterday because we want it to be resolved and we want it to be resolved amicably. The rules are clear. We just want them to follow the rules."

Nassau Guardian sources claimed the affected workers were only paid for the days worked, and given $200 as a "goodwill gesture". Workers who had not taken vacation also reportedly received vacation pay.

Sandals blamed low occupancy levels for this latest round of layoffs. However, the hotel has advised that it intends to review the matter on November 1 to determine whether employee services can be re-instated on December 1, or whether the period of layoffs would have to be extended.

BHMAWU President Lynden Taylor said if the matter was not addressed in short order strong measures would have to be taken to ensure that the employees' rights are protected.

"We are going to handle this in a sensible manner, in a civilized manner, but if we can't get results one way, then we will have to go another route, but we are going to handle it first diplomatically," Taylor said.

He called notifying the hotel union before the maintenance union an insult.

Included in the group of 80 employees were the remaining three union officials who served as shop stewards, union executives claimed.

Last December, Sandals cut 150 workers from its staff at the Cable Beach property, 12 of whom were reportedly union officials.

When contacted yesterday for comment on the matter, Colebrook told The Nassau Guardian that the hotel was well within its right to notify his union first.

He said an appeal is before the court regarding the validity and legality of the maintenance union, and pointed out that Sandals gave voluntary recognition to the BHCAWU in September 2006.

On August 13, Sandals line-staff voted in favor of having the maintenance union act as their bargaining agent. At the final tally, 252 votes were cast in favor of the maintenance union compared to the 18 votes received in favor of the hotel union.

On August 17, Foulkes issued the maintenance union a certificate verifying its position.

A company spokesman said yesterday that Ferguson was notified of the layoffs the same time as the hotel union.

Foulkes could not be reached up to press time.

Four hundred and forty employees remain employed at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort.