The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

ATLANTIS’ assertion that there is “no basis for a strike vote” was yesterday vehemently rejected by the hotel union, which said it still plans to proceed with its December 18 poll.

The Paradise Island resort, in a statement, called on the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers (BHCAWU) union to withdraw “any trade disputes” filed against it because the matters dividing the two sides have in its view been addressed.

But Darrin Woods, the union’s president, told Tribune Business that “nothing has changed” on its position because it feels the two issues that created the dispute - Atlantis’ introduction of a 12-point disciplinary system and new shift structure for housekeepers - remain outstanding and unresolved.

Despite Atlantis’ argument that any further industrial action is “unwarranted”, a position backed by John Pinder, director of labour, the union’s threat to move ahead with a strike vote next week threatens to send a chill throughout the Nassau/Paradise Island resort and tourism sector given the potential for disruption at the height of the peak Christmas/New Year season.

Mr Pinder yesterday confirmed that Atlantis had “lived up to its promises” to resolve the dispute, and that there was no further basis for the hotel union to seek a strike vote and escalate the situation beyond the existing “work-to-rule”.

However, Tribune Business understands that the union is unhappy that Atlantis tied its dropping of the 12-point disciplinary system to, and made it contingent on, the BHCAWU finding sufficient members to take on the new housekeeping shift system.

“All of the matters that the union had expressed their concerns over have been addressed by the resort, and we do not consider there to be any outstanding concerns that would warrant any industrial actions,” Atlantis said yesterday, setting out its position. “Not only do we not see a basis for a strike vote, but have asked the union to withdraw any disputes filed thus far.”

Tribune Business was told by sources close to the negotiations that Atlantis sent two letters to Mr Woods in the belief they would end the impasse. They suggested the hotel union has not responded to-date to either of the letters, and added: “What would be the reason for the strike vote? They got exactly what they wanted.”

Mr Pinder, confirming that the hotel union has made an application to the Department of Labour for a strike-poll to be conducted on December 18, added: “Last time they met at the Department of Labour, Atlantis made some promises and, based on a letter I received, they lived up to those promises.

The first letter that they sent had some conditions attached to it, and that probably gave the union some concerns. They wanted the union to assist them with recruiting persons from each tower to introduce this shift system. I think that was attached as a condition for them to withdraw the 12-point system. Unless the union withdraws the complaint they can go ahead with the poll.”

The shift change - to a 9am to 5 pm and a 10am to 6pm shift - is to cover some maid services in both Atlantis towers, but the union contends there was a lack of consultation and that the resort sought to unilaterally vary the terms of their still-expired industrial agreement by going ahead with its implementation.

Mr Woods told Tribune Business: “Nothing has changed as far as we are concerned. The issues are still outstanding. They gave us an ultimatum. They want us to find 48 people to work the shift and revert on the programme.

“How am I supposed to do that? I told them that’s not how you negotiate; you don’t just say take it or else. I take my direction from my members as long as it is within the confines of the law.” Mr Woods said he has a meeting with his members on Wednesday to further discuss the matter.

Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs, said the hotel industry would be worried about industrial action even if it was confined to one property given that it may coincide with the winter tourism season.

“Obviously we would be concerned about any strike vote, but a strike vote has to be geared towards a particular property,” he told Tribune Business. “Notwithstanding that, any industrial action at this time will be of concern to all member properties that are part of the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association (BHREA).”

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, referring to Atlantis’s statement, said: “According to Atlantis, everything they complained about has been withdrawn. So what, then, are they voting on?”