The Tribune

By NATARIO  McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A trade union leader yesterday slammed the Christie administration for what he described as its “deception” towards workers, after the Attorney General had directed that the criminal case against Sandals Royal Bahamian and its top executives be discontinued.

John Pinder, the National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) president, said he was “very disappointed” to learn of Allyson Maynard-Gibson’s decision to dismiss legal proceedings initiated by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and its Bahamas Hotel Maintenance & Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) affiliate.

Mr Pinder told Tribune Business: “We were very disappointed to learn of the decision made by the Attorney General’s Office to do that, not so much because of the legal aspect but mainly because we met with the Prime Minister.

“They were giving us the impression that they were working in good faith to have the matter resolved favourably in terms of ensuring that the 600 persons laid-off were given a fair shot at being rehired, and ensuring that we would strengthen the redundancy package with a view of making it more difficult for an employer to make positions redundant, then turn around and advertise those positions in a day or two for new hires.

“We also wanted to ensure that the Industrial Relations Act speaks to employers coming to the table in 90 days or so, rather than just saying in a reasonable time. They were acting in very good faith as far as I was concerned, only to find out from August 15 they knew that that case was nollied. To me, that was very deceptive.”

Mr Pinder continued: “While in law the Attorney General’s Office may have had the right to do so, you should not be meeting with people and giving them the impression that the case is going through the court, and you have to wait for the case to be resolved, when you know full well that the case has been nollied.

“I take grave exception to the level of deception displayed towards the trade union movement in that regard. That tells you that these people can’t be trusted. All I can say is: What a tangled web we weave.”

Union executives, along with members of the religious community, have met with Prime Minister Perry Christie regarding grievances over the termination of Sandals Royal Bahamian’s 600 staff. 

The TUC and NCTU had previously warned they were prepared to “shut the country down” with a repeat of the 1958 General Strike unless the Prime Minister met with them within 48 hours to resolve the Sandals situation.

The TUC and its BHMAWU affiliate previously blasted Sandals Royal Bahamian for its abrupt closure last month, arguing that it was a ‘union busting’ move.The resort chain, though, has repeatedly countered that the closure, which resulted in 600 employees being made redundant, was essential for much-needed $4 million repairs to take place at the Cable Beach property.

The BHMAWU has been seeking to negotiate an industrial agreement for workers at Sandals Royal Bahamian since 2009, and has grown increasingly frustrated at its failure to do so, despite having been recognised as the bargaining agent.