Several former workers of Robin Hood claimed yesterday they received $250 severance checks, an amount they said was unfair. The Tonique Williams-Darling establishment officially went out of business this week.

 Yesterday, around 40 workers gathered outside the store's doors to speak with their now former employer, Sandy Schaefer, who appeared briefly and then returned inside the nearly empty store.

 Several workers, who declined to give their names, alleged they were "tricked into signing" an agreement which stated that they would not seek any more money from the company.

 "We were told to sign for our checks and we signed for them. Then afterwards we were told... not to try and seek any more money from Robin Hood, but I am saying, we need our money," a former Robin Hood supervisor said.

"We do not want anything less or anything more than what is due to us. They gave me a pay of $250 and I was an employee for two years. This is not even a week's pay." Executives of the Bahamas Commercial Stores Supermarket & Warehouse Workers Union said they also hoped to meet with Schaefer yesterday.

Union administrator Rosalee McKenzie told The Nassau Guardian that Robin Hood had "no consultation" with the union about its closure and up to yesterday, the union had not heard from any of Robin Hood's representatives.

"We were here up to the week the store was closing and the liquidation was never communicated to us," McKenzie said. She said a trade dispute was filed at the Department of Labour yesterday morning. "As far as the union is concerned we will be seeking action...to try and get the proper compensation," she said.

 Schaefer declined to speak with The Nassau Guardian yesterday. On Wednesday, when the store closed, he said workers were given severance packages. However, at the time, he did not divulge the details but said his biggest concern was the future of his employees, as he holds them in high regard.

 "It's very unfortunate what happened with the store's closure. But it was important for us to take care of our employees to the best of our ability, when you consider that the company has no money," Schaefer told The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday.

 "Over the years, they have remained loyal and have supported us to the very end, so it wouldn't be right for us not to recognize their significant contributions." Another former worker claimed she was made aware of her redundancy on Monday.

 "We didn't event get two weeks' notice. That would have allowed us to put our resumes together so that we may get another job," she said. "They informed us just a few days before they closed down. I just want to see all of my coworkers get the money that is due to them."

Schaefer said on Thursday that the establishment directly employed about 70 people. He said roadworks on Prince Charles Drive drove the newest Robin Hood out of business. 

 Schaefer said he took a big hit as that was an $8 million investment. The closure of the Prince Charles Drive location negatively impacted the Tonique Williams-Darling store.

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