The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net UNION executives yesterday accused management at Sandals Royal Bahamian resort of 'intimidating' the staff. Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) President Lynden Taylor told Tribune Business that employees were being 'threatened' to sign a petition removing the union as their bargaining agent or face the possibility of losing their jobs. In a statement however, Sandals management rejected the claims, stating they were "completely false" and it "fully respects and upholds all the laws of The Bahamas including the right of workers to be represented by a body of their choice". Claims of union busting come just days ahead of another round of discussions between the union and Sandals representatives on a new labour agreement. Mr Taylor said employees were presented with the petition on Friday. He told Tribune Business: "The management at Sandals are trying to intimidate the staff. We are supposed to be having a meeting on Wednesday. What they are trying to do is get that petition signed to say they don't want the union to represent them. They are forcing the staff, saying they are going to fire them if they don't sign this letter." He added: "Staff called me upset because they were threatening their jobs. You can't do this. We are going to make everyone aware of what's taking place at this hotel. We are waiting to see what the Minster has to say in regards to this but this should not take place. We are just going to send a clear message that this wont be tolerated." In February 2010, the Privy Council overturned the Court of Appeal's verdict that everything was "void" because the BHMAWU was not properly registered, paving the way for the union to be recognised as the bargaining agent for non-managerial employees at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. Mr Taylor charged that Sandals management was using 'unconstitutional' tactics. He said: "We had a lot of new employees that came on and they were promising to make them permanent by March 1 and then you had some there who they told that if they didn't sign they would take their jobs from them. The tactics they are using down their that are just unconstitutional. In these rough economic times, people have their backs against the wall. If your employer pushes something toward you don't want to loose your job especially if they walk right up on you with it." Sandals management said in its statement: "The management of Sandals Royal Bahamian unreservedly rejects any claims that the hotel is engaged in union busting or any acts of intimidation against our employees. Since the passage of Hurricane Irene, we have spent months and tremendous resources in stabilizing and protecting the jobs of the employees of Sandals as well as the contribution that Sandals makes to the economy of The Bahamas." Sandals added: "The charges made by the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union are completely false but are consistent with the duplicity that the union has displayed in its tactics aimed at riding rough-shod over the management and employees of the hotel. Sandals fully respects and upholds all the laws of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas including the right of workers to be represented by a body of their choice. In keeping with this right, section 43 of the Industrial Relations Act of 1970 also recognizes the right of workers to sign a petition to the Minister of Labour requesting revocation of union representation." Sandals management said that accordingly, a significant number of its employees had exercised their right and signed a petition to the Minister of Labour. Sandals said: "It is our belief that any attempt to settle the question of union representation carried forward from 2009, in light of all the circumstances, must allow the present workers an opportunity to indicate whether they desire to be part of this union. Discussions that have taken place between the management and team members have merely sought to ensure that employees get the opportunity to express their will. In its quest to bulldoze its way over the management and staff of the hotel, the BHMAWU has sought to malign the management and paint an untrue picture of disgruntlement and unrest at the resort. Nothing could be further from the truth, as morale, unity and teamwork at the resort has never been better."