The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

EMPLOYEES at Old Bahama Bay Resort were barred from entering the West End property on Tuesday as a long-running legal battle over control and management of the resort again disrupted its operations.

West Grand Bahama MP Kingsley Smith and Department of Labour officials went to the resort after workers were denied access, with both saying their immediate concern was protecting employees caught in the dispute.

“The employees have been barricaded out, and not everybody is allowed on the property,” Mr Smith said.

The confrontation is the latest development in an ownership and management dispute that has repeatedly raised questions over who is entitled to operate parts of the resort while litigation remains before the courts.

Mr Smith said there had been several previous attempts to take control of the property by parties claiming ownership.

“We know there’s a matter before the court, and in the interim some workers are being affected as a result,” he said. “I’m only here to ensure that my constituents and the workers of this property are not taken advantage of.”

The dispute escalated last year when Lubert Adler-Old Bahama Bay, the resort’s ownership entity, sought to terminate a management arrangement with Island Ventures Resort and Club.

IVRC was formed by condominium owners to operate the resort after Ginn’s financial collapse in 2011.

The attempted management change prompted court action and government intervention over whether the incoming group had the approvals required to operate in The Bahamas. The dispute has since continued over attempts to transfer management while the litigation remains unresolved.

Princess Flowers, officer in charge of the Department of Labour in Grand Bahama, said the agency was seeking to ensure workers did not lose their legal rights and entitlements because of the conflict.

“We’re here today in solidarity with the workers,” Ms Flowers said. “We’re here to see what is happening and to ensure that all of their entitlements are protected and that they’re not negatively affected by whatever happens here today.”

She said employees should not bear the consequences of the prolonged ownership dispute.

“We do hope some resolution comes about and that the workers are able to continue their work or, if their services are to end, that whatever happens is done in accordance with the law,” Ms Flowers said. “We just want to ensure that the workers’ rights are protected.”