General Manager of Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort Gary Williams (second from right) leaves court yesterday. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)

The acrimonious relationship between the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) and the management of the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort came to a head yesterday, with three union members filing a criminal complaint against the hotel's top management.

The union has begun a private prosecution against Sandals; its general manager, Gary Williams; and financial controller Ronnie Mirza, over alleged union busting tactics.

The men were arraigned before Magistrate Carol Misiewicz on Wednesday, charged with failure to enter into negotiations with the union contrary to the Industrial Relations Act, employee intimidation and termination of an employee.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment and a fine of $5,000.

A complaint filed before the court alleges that West Bay Management, trading as Sandals, Williams and Mirza failed or refused to enter into contract with negotiations with the BHMAWU during the period of November 16, 2015 through July 12, 2016.

Three union officials who worked at the hotel claimed that they were subjected to employee intimidation and eventually dismissed unlawfully.

Sandals, Williams and Mirza allegedly intimidated Assistant Treasurer Santino Higgs, Assistant General Secretary Latoya Archer and Secretary General Rhonda Huyler between July 12 and July 20.

The union officials alleged that they were unlawfully dismissed on July 20,

Williams and Mirza pleaded not guilty to the charges and attorney Clinton Clarke Jr., entered not guilty pleas on behalf of Sandals.

Before Misiewicz read the charges, Clarke questioned whether the parties had been properly summoned to appear before the court.

However, the magistrate said that the issue was moot as Clarke had already placed himself on the record for the defendants.

Murrio Ducille, the prosecutor, said that by their presence the defendants had "subjected themselves and submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court".

Misiewicz told Clarke, "This is not 'Alice in Wonderland'. You cannot say and unsay."

Misiewicz told the defendants, "You are in The Bahamas and it is still better in The Bahamas. The proceedings are not levelled against you personally, but you are here because of your line of work. It comes with the territory."

Misiewicz released the defendants on $5,000 bail with one surety. They are to report to the Cable Beach Police Station biweekly until the conclusion of their trial.

The trial begins on October 26 at 1 p.m.

Artesia Davis, Guardian Senior Reporter

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian