The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON Tribune Staff Reporter cnixon@tribunemedia.net KFC staff were back at work yesterday after management and union executives agreed the terms of a new industrial agreement following four days of negotiations. Supporting the move, hundreds of excited KFC employees reported to work at the franchise's nine Nassau locations, which opened to the public after an eight-day closure. President of the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) Nicole Martin said while the negotiation process was challenging, the union and KFC employees are relieved to have the stand-off resolved. A new industrial agreement will be signed in the next two weeks, she said. She said: "I think it is fair to say that the negotiations were extremely rough because we were faced with challenges, as far as just not being able to bargain and then of course we were faced with a company wanting to undo everything that has been done over the years. "It was not the easiest negotiation but we are happy we concluded with an agreement we can live with." Ms Martin would not reveal the details of the agreement, but said concessions were made for a specified time period. For example, the company's contribution to the employee pension fund, which until now was funded in full by KFC Nassau, will be paid in part by the staff for the next four years. "We are happy with the outcome as it is important to solidify benefits but it is also important wherever necessary to make concessions," she said. "It is a difficult balance to strike but I believe we struck it on this occasion." The union could not agree to certain proposed concessions, Ms Martin revealed, including allowing guaranteed hours to be reduced to four and half hours. She said guaranteed hours for current staff will remain the same, but the reduced hours provision will be applicable to new employees for a period of four years. KFC management released statements last week claiming the fast-food chain's closures were a result of "illegal strike action" taken by employees on February 20, and stated that all stores would remain closed until an industrial agreement was reached. It was also announced that employees would not receive salaries during the store closure. Despite these claims, Ms Martin said no illegal action was taken by KFC employees, who reported to work every day of the store's closure. According to Ms Martin, the union will intends to seek legal action to receive the money owed to employees. She said: "We have instructed our lawyers to go ahead with legal action." Last month, tensions escalated after the fast food chain cancelled its voluntary recognition of the union. Following the announcement, staff staged a sit-down, leading to the closure of the company's New Providence outlets. Later that evening, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes certified BHCAWU as the official bargaining agent. The labour agreement between the two parties expired on September 24, 2011, and negotiations on a new agreement began in December. KFC has argued that its current wage and benefits package is "two times higher than all other fast food brands". Staff salaries were said to be between 79 to 92.5 per cent higher than its fast food industry competitors.