The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Bahamas Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) yesterday protested against the “horrible working conditions” at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort.

As part of the demonstration, heavy-duty trucks and buses were parked in the road to block off sections of West Bay Street adjacent to the Sandals property, leading to the arrest of several people.

BHMAWU First Vice President Omar Maynard and dozens of employees of the all-inclusive Cable Beach property protested outside the resort early yesterday morning, holding placards as the group laid out a myriad disputes and ongoing grievances, which union officials are claiming resort executives are refusing to “adequately address”.

Mr Maynard, in an impromptu speech outside the resort, lambasted hotel executives for their alleged refusal to “sit at the negotiation table” as workers are being made to work in alleged substandard conditions.

“It is deplorable the way you (owners and executives) are running this hotel,” Mr Maynard said.

“We will continue to protest until we see the results we need to see. Sandals act as if it is above the law. The way you market your hotel is different than the way you treat your employees.”

It is being alleged that employees are being forced to carry out tasks not consistent with their posts or face dismissal. In some cases, it is alleged that employees hired as security guards are operating as bellmen as the resort attempts to curb overhead expenses.

Additionally, it is being alleged that the resort is infested with mould and overrun by rodents and other pests.

Sources familiar with these issues have suggested that poor conditions at the resort have led to several employees allegedly being hospitalised in recent months.

These and many other matters in recent years have prompted employees, through their union, to demand a series of meetings with resort executives to address these issues. That request has been denied despite interventions by the Department of Labour.

General Manager of the resort Gary Williams refused to comment yesterday. He said that legal matters were still pending in court and had to be resolved.

Meanwhile Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson said he was not surprised by the action taken by BHMAWU members, suggesting that the years of “ill will and malice” had finally caught up with “hurt workers”.

“We met with Prime Minister Perry Christie on June 17 on this matter; at that point we expected resolution. If the Prime Minister can’t get hotel officials to the table then there is little to no hope,” Mr Ferguson said.

“I was not surprised by their actions and I expect that this kind of behaviour will continue as workers see no end in sight to their disputes. They feel disrespected by all sides, a resort that doesn’t care and a government that isn’t working on their behalf,” he said.

BHMAWU has had a long-standing dispute with Sandals over the issue of union recognition.

In 2011, the BHMAWU secured a ruling by the Privy Council that it be recognised as the bargaining agent for Sandals Royal Bahamian employees.

Despite this however, Sandals has refused to negotiate with BHMAWU.

Following Tuesday’s protest, police took several people into custody at the scene.

Mr Maynard was taken into custody along with another union steward following their appearance on the “Real Talk Reloaded” radio show on More 94FM yesterday afternoon.

Three truck drivers were later arraigned in Magistrate’s Court in connection to West Bay Street being blocked off and other offences. It is unclear if the union officials will face any charges.