Hotel union claims 29 made redundant at Ocean Club

Wed, May 27th 2015, 09:41 AM

General Secretary of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) Darrin Woods said the redundancies at the One&Only Ocean Club at least doubles the number floated by the resort's management a month ago.

Woods confirmed late yesterday that the union had been informed that 29 people - some management and some line staff - had been made redundant, and he stressed the difference between layoffs, which reflect an intent to re-engage individuals should events allow, and redundancies, which sever relationships.

"So in fact, they terminated those people," Woods said.

Attempts to reach One&Only Ocean Club General Manager John Conway for comment were unsuccessful up to press time. Conway had disclosed in April that the resort was anticipating 10 redundancies associated with the extensive renovations to the Hartford Wing of the ultra-luxury resort, but Woods reiterated yesterday that the union had taken that assurance with a grain of salt.

The union executive said discussions at an April 21 meeting and thereafter surrounded the assertion by the resort's management that the expansion and renovation would mean job losses, particularly as a restaurant - Courtyard Terrace restaurant - would close. He claimed that the resort wanted certain concessions from the union on some positions, which were not forthcoming.

"And because we wouldn't agree quickly to some things, this is the backlash to that," Woods claimed, noting that the union does have an industrial agreement with the resort, and that any realignment of positions would have to be done in conjunction with union and management.

"We'll have to follow our industrial agreement and go from there."

Woods noted that the hotel union elections are scheduled for today, and insisted that the timing of the redundancies was no coincidence.

"Management has always tried to play a hand in union elections," he asserted.

As for the effect these terminations will have, Woods anticipated an "air of fear" going forward.

"Until the renovation is completed, there will be an air of uncertainty, an air of fear in the air," he said.

The $50 million renovation is expected to raise the bar on ultra-luxury in The Bahamas, through completely renovated and expanded guest rooms and suites in the Hartford Wing and the expansion of dining options within Dune restaurant. The renovations were announced just after Labour Minister Shane Gibson revealed that a "Paradise Island resort" was considering making a number of workers redundant. After denying that the resort in question was One&Only Ocean Club, the resort released the following.

"As soon as we have finalized plans and have met with both key government officials and the union about these plans and related impact, we will share further details. Any changes will be minimal."

That was taken to be a confirmation that One&Only Ocean Club was considering making workers redundant. Later, General Manager Conway anticipated the laying off of 10 employees, meaning they would be "eligible for rehire should suitable positions become available".

Yesterday, the resort was silent about rehiring people, and everything else to do with the reported redundancies.

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