The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A well-known Freeport businessman has branded Bahamian trade unions as “abusive and destructive”, and called on the Government to “stop sticking its nose” into private enterprise.

Jeffrey Butler, owner of the former Butler’s Food World, told Tribune Business that trade unions had become “unnecessary” in the Bahamas given that the nation’s labour laws typically favoured workers over employers.

In a riposte to Leslie Lightbourne, a trade unionist and DNA candidate for Pineridge in the upcoming general election, Mr Butler also defended the decision by Sandals Royal Bahamian to terminate its 600 staff.

Arguing that the resort chain would not have made such a move unless absolutely essential, the businessman said that all former Sandals staff who had “performed their jobs well” would be rehired. It was only “the slackers” that had something to fear.

“Unions have been destructive and abusive in their attempts to manipulate businesses, pretentiously representing the workers or their paying members,” Mr Butler said.

“Many years ago, unions were established as a tool for collective bargaining where abuses of low wages and poor working conditions existed.

“Today, in many countries, especially in our Bahamas, we have strong labour laws favouring the employee over the employer. Unions are not only unnecessary; they have become abusive and destructive.”

Sandals Royal Bahamian said it was advised by its attorneys that terminating its staff was the only option, as the resort had to close for two months so that essential construction repairs could be completed in time for the winter season.

But prior to the closure and terminations, Sandals Royal Bahamian had become embroiled in an increasingly bitter dispute with the Bahamas Hotel, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union, which has been trying to negotiate an industrial agreement to represent the property’s workers since 2009.

The union, which has been recognised as the bargaining agent for Sandals Royal Bahamian staff, blocked roads with heavy trucks before launching a criminal court case against the resort’s management.

It subsequently accused Sandals of using the $4 million renovation, and terminations, as a means of ‘union busting’, given that non-staff were also encouraged to attend and apply for posts at Royal Bahamian during the recent four-day ‘Job Fair’.

Sandals, though, has on ongoing court matter of its own, and is challenging the very basis of the union’s existence on the grounds that the Bahamas Hotel, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union has failed to follow its own constitution.

Suggesting that Mr Lightbourne was seeking to gain political mileage from entering the Sandals chain, Mr Butler said the resort would not have been seeking a confrontation with the union.

“Sandals is a well-known and respected hotel chain, recognised worldwide. Why would they do something detrimental to their market reputation that was not absolutely necessary?” Mr Butler argued.

“I’m sure that while being temporarily unemployed is disheartening, most of the 600 appreciate their past employment with Sandals and look forward to being rehired in the near future. I am equally sure that the many Bahamian workers hired for the renovations are pleased to be working for Sandals.”

The businessman added: “There is no disconnect between employer and employee. This is a normal business cycle based on market environments and the need for a hotel or any business to be profitable and maintain stability.

“Certainly, all of the 600 that performed their jobs well and with pride will return to the workforce in short order. The slackers may have to stay home a little longer.”

Describing trade unions as “redundant”, Mr Butler also urged the Government to stop interfering in the affairs of the private sector.

“One of our many problems here in our Bahamas is the Government gets too involved in private business,” he told Tribune Business.

“This is not their job, as the Government has little to no expertise in business. Our Government has a history of sticking their nose into business situations to the detriment of all - employees and employers alike.

“Government needs to stop interfering in private business. As long as our labour laws are complied with, the unions and the Government, needs to stay out of the people’s business.”

Mr Butler said Bahamas-based businesses frequently rewarded Bahamians who excelled and worked hard. And companies that were successful, and profitable, expanded and hired extra workers.

“If a hotel or company is losing money yet still stays open and employs people, how can the union demand bonuses costing $1 million as in the Our Lucaya situation. Bonuses come from profits,” he added.

“Good business owners greatly appreciate good honest workers, and many even tolerate the slackers - for a time. Leave well enough alone and as a country we will do just fine.”