The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

CITY Markets employees say they have yet to be updated on the status of their pensions and are demanding answers about the combined millions of dollars they have paid in over the years.

In an e-mail sent to The Tribune yesterday, a group of employees said: "We the pensioners still are without knowledge of who has the pension money, where it is and why the pensioners haven't received what is due to us."

But the workers might have to wait a while longer for answers.

According to Whanslaw Turnquest, a senior City Market employee, a meeting scheduled for yesterday with company owner Mark Finlayson did not take place.

Mr Turnquest said: "While we did not have the meeting, attorneys on both sides have agreed they will work together in order to avoid taking the matter to court."

Claiming he did not want to jeopardise further negotiations, Mr Turnquest said he could not reveal further details.

City Markets' financial struggles have also sparked concern among religious leaders.

At a press conference at New Covenant Baptist Church yesterday, Bishop Victor Cooper said: "These employees have not yet been paid, we are aware that many of them have worked for a week and in some cases for months without pay. This is unconscionable as they still have bills to pay.

"We would hate to see this matter become a political football and blame game as these people suffer. In this regard we trust that all concerned will move swiftly to ensure that the Easter season is a bright and victorious one for our people."

Last Friday, Mr Finlayson announced after almost a week of speculation that he had entered into negotiations with Super Value owner, Rupert Roberts, for what could become a sale of City Markets.