The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net 

THE Wyndham Nassau Resort and Cable Beach Casino will close temporarily in September as Baha Mar accelerates the construction phase of its project.

The resort is also simultaneously offering Early Retirement and Voluntary Separation Packages to its more than 1,000 employees who will be out of work from September 4 to October 17, 2012.

Robert “Sandy” Sands, Senior Vice President of External and Governmental Affairs at Baha Mar, said the resort is not terminating the workers, but rather giving them “control” over their career decisions during this construction period.

He said: “We are not firing anyone. The employees will be given four weeks to decide what they will do. The key to all of this is that it is voluntary. It is all voluntary. We were trying to do the construction in our relatively slow periods, but customers and wholesalers were telling us that it is becoming increasingly difficult anyway for our customers to enjoy the hotel. It is just unreasonable to ask customers to stay and enjoy their stay with all the construction going on.”

Mr Sands said those who choose to end their employment with Cable Beach Resorts/Crystal Palace Casino will receive an attractive compensation package based on their position and length of employment.

“It will be a case by case thing. Basically once the individual applies we will take it under consideration and their package will depend on their age and how long they were working at the resort. There are some people in the 63, 64 and 65 age group that will get the package plus a pension incentive payment and still qualify for a full pension,” he said.

 “According to the Plan, Cable Beach Resorts employees working at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino have been given a four-week window during which to consider plan participation. Actual early retirement and separation dates will vary based on the employee and his or her role and function. The Plan is non-discriminatory as to age, gender, position and length of employment and Cable Beach Resorts maintains the right to accept or reject any individual application to participate.”

Mr Sands said the Early Retirement and Voluntary Separation Plan offers an attractive incentive to pursue other plans.

He said management is encouraging staff to continue their education and training and re-apply for employment when opportunities open up in the future.

Last week, Baha Mar celebrated the completion of the first 100 feet of the development of Cable Beach Casino.

Prime Minister Perry Christie called the achievement a significant milestone that shows Baha Mar is on pace for its scheduled December 2014 opening.

Construction on the Cable Beach redevelopment is said to be about a third completed.