The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net LABOUR Minister Dion Foulkes told Tribune Business yesterday that "some progress" had been made in industrial agreement talks between Restaurants (Bahamas), owner of Nassau's Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise, and the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU). Mr Foulkes confirmed negotiations would continue today, but would not elaborate on the progress of those discussions. Union executives were unavailable for comment yesterday , but Restaurants (Bahamas) issued another public notice, clarifying the issue surrounding the closure of its nine stores. It claimed that the "illegal strike action" last Monday has caused serious financial harm to KFC's business, and that the union's approach continued to place employee jobs in jeopardy, with the survival of the company at risk. Mr Foulkes told Tribune Business in a brief interview yesterday: "We met at 10am. We are going back to negotiations in the morning (today). We have made some progress." Mr Foulkes had revealed previously that KFC had submitted a revised written proposal to the union for review. Union executives say they have instructed KFC Nassau's 300-plus line-staff to report to work, despite its nine locations being closed. Restaurant Bahamas has stated that it is unable to reopen its restaurants without a new industrial agreement.