The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net KFC Nassau announced last night that it would reopen its nine locations today. The company made the announcement on its Facebook page shortly after 8pm after the franchise had been locked in negotiations with the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union Earlier yesterday, union officials said they were prepared to fight the fast-food chain in court if it refuses to pay workers scheduled to work during the shutdown. The union will meet with staff to give an update on negotiations today, according to vice president Darren Woods, who said the opening of stores is dependent upon management, and not employees. Mr Woods said: "The stores didn't close because the union didn't negotiate. The stores closed because KFC wanted to play hardball. The union has always maintained that the stores should have remained open. "The staff that have showed up to work on those days should be paid. The union has demanded this and we are prepared to take this matter to court." Labour relations deteriorated between the two sides following the franchise's cancellation of the company's voluntary recognition of the union. The nine KFC locations on New Providence have been closed since February 20 when staff were given an ultimatum to accept new terms and conditions of employment or face termination. Employees continue to report to work each day, according to Mr Woods. KFC Nassau has stated the nine locations will remain closed until an industrial agreement is reached, and it is unwilling to pay any employees during the closure period. The company claims the shutdown was a result of the "illegal strike action" ordered by union bosses on Monday. The union has maintained the sit-out on Monday was not a strike, and came in response to the abrupt cancellation of union recognition and the subsequent ultimatum placed on staff. Assistance has been made available to workers through the Department of Social Services, according to Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes, who said that some 300 families have been directly affected by the mass closures.