The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net RESTAURANTS (Bahamas), owner of Nassau's Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise, said yesterday its nine locations would remain closed until an industrial agreement with its employees is reached. In a statement, Restaurants (Bahamas) said it was unwilling to pay its employees while its stores remain closed, claiming that the union now-certified to represent its line staff had directed illegal industrial action, which has caused "serious financial harm" to KFC's business and its employees. The company criticised the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), which represents some 300-plus employees, for what it called "illegal strike action" on Monday when workers staged a sit-in. "After the last series of union-directed illegal industrial actions, KFC Nassau notified its employees, and the union, that should any further illegal industrial action occur, the stores would be closed, and would only reopen when an industrial agreement was reached. Such irresponsible actions only continue to inconvenience KFC's customers," the company said. Restaurant (Bahamas) said Monday's sit-down not only inconvenienced its customers but resulted in thousands of dollars worth of product not being sold, which was instead was donated to charity. "The company is unable to reopen its restaurants and bring its employees back to work without completion of a new industrial agreement. Based on this illegal action, the company is unwilling to pay any employees while stores remain closed. On several previous occasions the company endured the illegal industrial action sponsored by the union, and continued as best it could to operate its business. On this occasion the company is unwilling to operate in this hostile environment," Restaurant Bahamas said. The company added that it has not yet received a claim for recognition from the union. "The procedure set out in the Industrial Relations Act calls for the employer to be served with a claim for recognition, which is then followed by either an acceptance or rejection of the claim within the prescribed period. Certification of recognition must be preceded by a claim for recognition to the employer," a KFC spokesman was quoted as saying. Darren Woods, the BHCAWU vice-president, when contacted by Tribune Business late yesterday evening, said he had not seen the statement and that the company had not communicated with the union. Mr Woods questioned how the company could issue a statement stating that its locations would remain closed until an industrial agreement was reached when it had canceled its voluntary recognition of the BHCAWU.