The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Hotel union executives say Baha Mar’s decision’s to lay-off 190 workers on Friday came at the “absolute worst time”, and have called on the Government to intervene.

Nicole Martin, the union’s president, called on the Christie administration to force Baha Mar to abide by the terms of Heads of Agreements signed with successive governments.

She said the union was unable to intervene because it was not a party to these agreements, but she argued that the lay-offs breached two conditions: That Baha Mar was to maintain its existing workforce at current levels, and any persons terminated had to be redeployed within its business.

“We were here before when the company did the very same thing,” Ms Martin said. “Our position at that time was that there was a Heads of Agreement that should protect what should happen for existing workers of the resort.

“The Prime Minister, being the chief executive, and we know that governments are continuous, the Heads of Agreement was executed but it has not been amended. We are asking the Government to do what is necessary to cause this employer to fall within the terms of the Agreement.

“We know that the employer seems to be getting every thing that this Agreement calls for. Our attorney tried to get an emergency injunction but that failed because we are not parties to that Agreement. If there is to be any legal argument it has to come from the Government.”

Both the union and the Government are less than pleased that Baha Mar gave them no notice of its intentions.

Ms Martin said that following a meeting with Mr Christie on Friday, the union had been assured the Government will bring Baha Mar executives to the table for discussions.

“They see the value in the union’s position and they are going to do what they intend to do to have to have the company come to the table and have some discussions,” she added.

“People are not happy. We all work and we have challenges with our bills, so imagine being placed out of work. We are approaching the Christmas season. Most people look forward to this time of the year. There are bonuses, you can do some things for your family.

“There is no good time to lay workers off, but this seems to be the absolute worst time. We believe that it is really egregious because they have a company that they can move those employees to. There is no reason for them to put all of those workers out on the street because they are actually hiring.”

Baha Mar said on Friday that 100 Crystal Palace employees had already been invited to accept new positions at the Meli� Nassau Beach Hotel and with Baha Mar.

“More than 350 new casino employees have been in training classes at the Crystal Palace since July 2014, and will complement the existing casino staff,” Baha Mar said.

“The Crystal Palace site will serve as a live setting to train more than 800 graduates of the Leadership Development Institute and 600 pre-selected high school and college students to the highest luxury service standards to prepare for new jobs at Baha Mar.

“With the closure of the Crystal Palace to paying guests, approximately 190 employees will be made redundant. Baha Mar has ensured that it has discharged all contractual obligations towards the affected workers.”

Baha Mar announced last Friday that it would close the Crystal Palace Hotel to a training facility for Baha Mar employees, effective November 7, 2014, and as a result 190 employees would be made redundant.