The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

EMPLOYEES at a Paradise Island resort faced possible termination after participating in a protest yesterday against what they claim are hazardous working conditions.

More than 20 employees stood outside the Riu Palace with handmade signs in protest of management’s failure to address staff concerns, and the termination without cause of three employees last week.

According to lawyer Glendon Rolle, who represents the 14 employees who face possible termination, workers demonstrated for about an hour, but were denied entry to the resort when they tried to return to work.

While Mr Rolle said that some 40 employees

participated in the demonstration, only 14 workers have been identified for possible disciplinary action.

“The position is you have several employees who have some grievances and management is refusing to acknowledge them with respect to duties that they are performing. There are concerns that working conditions are hazardous and management refuses to meet with them.”

He added: “They barred some 20 employees from the premises and did not allow them to return to work. I would not say that it was a protest, it was more of a concerned gathering for those three persons who were dismissed.”

Mr Rolle said workers who remained inside the resort were told they they would be fired if they joined the demonstration.

The three employees, allegedly fired without cause, were in the Food and Beverage Department, according to Mr Rolle.

The resort has opted not to comment on the matter at this time.