The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net MANAGEMENT at Sandals Royal Bahamian are threatening union members with legal action today over staff intimidation claims. Resort general manager Patrick Drake, through legal counsel, has demanded a public apology from three members of the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union for claims of criminal conduct. In a letter sent on February 8 by Mr Drake's legal counsel, respondents Jennifer Turnquest, Tyrone Morris and Alexandria Constance were given 72 hours to comply before legal action was filed in the Supreme Court. The letter read: "The aforementioned Press Release referred to Mr Drake by name and stated, inter alia, that Mr Drake forced employees to sign a petition otherwise they would lose their jobs. "Further, the Press Release accused Mr Drake of criminal conduct, illegal activities and of having a regressive mentality." The BHMAWU has claimed that employees were being "threatened" that if they did not sign a petition removing the union as their bargaining agent, they could lose their jobs. Union officials held a demonstration outside the West Bay Street resort on Monday of last week in protest of the alleged petition. Ms Turnquest was named as the author of the press statement, and Mr Morris and Ms Constance were accused of distribution. "In the circumstances, we are instructed to demand, as we hereby demand, that you immediately issue a public apology to Mr Drake for these defamatory remarks," the letter stated. "The wording of this apology is to be approved by the undersigned, as well as the manner and frequency of the publication of the apology." Denying the charges of intimidation last week, Mr Drake said the resort "recognised the right of workers to sign a petition to the Minister of Labour requesting revocation of union representation". Management has maintained that 70 per cent of current employees had not been hired when the vote for BHMAWU representation was taken in 2008, and any attempt to "settle the question of union representation" must allow present workers "an opportunity to indicate whether they desire to be part of this union". Resort officials claim the union's recent allegations have sullied the resort's reputation as an important tourism facility by creating the impression it was in direct contravention of the constitutional rights of its workers. Last night, union president Lynden Taylor said he did not wish to comment on the matter as it was before the union's legal counsel.