The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Grand Bahama’s Grand Lucayan resort is planning to lay-off more than 50 full-time employees, a trade union alleged yesterday, replacing them with part-time staff who will have less job security.

Michelle Dorsett, president of the Commonwealth Union of Hotel Services and Allied Workers, told Tribune Business yesterday that hotel management had met with Trade Union Congress (TUC) head, Obie Ferguson, informing him of the downsizing plans.

The move, according to Ms Dorsett, could not come at a worse time. “Grand Bahama is already dead and slow. How low do you want the line staff to come? People are hurting. Things are tough in Grand Bahama. People are struggling to pay their bills,” she said.

Ms Dorsett called on the Government to investigate the reason behind the planned lay-offs, suggesting the hotel had ulterior motives.

She alleged that the Grand Lucayan simply wanted to replace full-time, unionised workers with casual and part-time staff, who had less job security and status.

“You’re permanent, then they bring them back as casual workers. There is no empowerment, there is no more status for Bahamian people looking for a salary. You’re going back to minimum wage,” Ms Dorsett said.

She added that the union was under the impression that this would only be the first phase in a series of lay-offs at the Grand Lucayan. It is unclear when further phases may take place.

The union has scheduled a meeting for the resort’s workers for this coming Saturday. “We do not believe the hotel is being honest with us, so we intend to ready ourselves for battle,” the union said in a statement yesterday.

Calls to the Grabnd Lucxayan’s general manager, Benjamin Davis, were unsuccessful up to press time, with Tribune Business being told that he was unavailable for comment.

If the Grand Lucayan is proposing to lay-off full-time staff, and then bring some or all back as part-time workers, those affected will have less job security and also lose their union benefits and entitlements.