The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DAYS after Access Industries and Kerzner International officials clarified the thinking behind staffing transitions due to major renovations at the One&Only Ocean Club, employees took their claims of “unethical operations” by management a step further.

A number of employees at the Paradise Island luxury resort assembled in protest on the steps of the Department of Immigration office at Hawkins Hill yesterday.

Sources told The Tribune the group of 20 to 30 demanded a meeting with Immigration officials, hoping to make them aware of the “indecent working policies” to which, they claim, they are being forced to adhere.

It is understood that shortly after the crowd gathered, the group was granted a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister, Fred Mitchell, and Labour Director, Robert Farquharson.

The Tribune understands at the meeting employees laid out a number of persistent issues since Access Industries acquired ownership of the resort in May and announced significant renovations this summer.

“We made our issues with the new management known,” the source said. “We wanted to put it all out there because the government needs to know what Bahamians are being forced to put up with just to earn an honest living.”

That source suggested that in its haste to upgrade services, management of the Ocean Club has overlooked the voices of its workforce.

As a result of yesterday’s meeting, Mr Mitchell is understood to have asked for a meeting with two resort executives, Resident Manager Kyle Pretorius and Director of Human Resources Latoya Davis, to discuss the issues claimed by workers.

“The Department of Immigration is investigating complaints from employees of the One&Only,” Mr Mitchell confirmed to The Tribune last night. “We have asked the Department of Labour to investigate the complaints. I expect a report shortly.”

One source at yesterday’s meeting said Mr Mitchell made it clear that he would work to have the matter resolved by tomorrow. “He told us that either the conditions are corrected or changes would have to be made,” the source claimed.

The Fox Hill MP has in recent weeks been a strong proponent of the rights of Bahamians employed by foreign companies and managers, albeit while entrenched in an ongoing feud with Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian.

Work started at the Ocean Club in June on the $15m redevelopment of the Hartford Wing to include expanded and restyled rooms as part of Access Industries’ pledge of a $50m expansion. Plans also include a $3m pool on the beachfront, a $1m facelift and increased expenditure on entertainment at Dune restaurant and upgraded wifi across the property.

On Tuesday the Ocean Club announced that “in order to conduct the more disruptive renovation work, the resort will be closing to guests from August 24 through the month of September.”

A statement said the resort would reopen in October with the Crescent Wing and the new Hartford Wing unveiled in November.

“All staffing transitions related to the renovation and planned service enhancements have been completed with no further changes anticipated other than scheduling staff for time off during the August/September closure period,” the statement said.

Last week The Tribune reported that Ocean Club employees had circulated a letter in which it was alleged that the “everyday growing anxiety” caused by management’s “unethical” operations had begun to take its toll on employees.

Concerns centred on changes in employee shift assignments, work functions and job description, staff arrangements during and after the closure and potential severance packages.

“We hope authorities can step in and help save some jobs at the One&Only,” the letter stated. “We want to continue to provide for our families and if an organisation has best interests of members of staff as they know we have no lawyer, no rights and no union,” the employees claimed.

The letter went on to suggest “why manipulate and do away with all agreements made in place by not only (the) union, but by themselves”.

“We can’t let one company or employer come in and take what we made possible for all these years a nice place to work with a wholesome environment. Slavery was abolished, we are in forward progress and it should only get better, not where governments turn their backs on unions for employers to walk on them as if we have no life.”

In May, the resort laid off all 29 of its staff members employed at the Courtyard Terrace restaurant.