BITU vows to secure full benefits for Bahia Principe workers facing redundancy

 

The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) has served notice that it will be ensuring that the scores of workers at two Bahia Principe hotels in St. Ann, who are to be made redundant, will receive all payments and benefits to which they are entitled. 

 

Bahia announced the indefinite closure of the properties on the heels of the passage of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

BITU President General Senator Kavan Gayle had appealed to the management of the hotels to explore all available options to avoid job losses. 

 

But Senator Gayle said at Monday's meeting of the parties at the Ministry of Labour, the Bahia representatives indicated that it was pressing ahead with the redundancy exercise.

 

He said a final meeting has been arranged for Wednesday. 

 

"As your union, we want to assure every worker that Wednesday's meeting will be used to secure every single provision in law, in practice and under the collective agreement to which you are entitled. This includes full compliance with the Employment Termination and Redundance Payments Act. The hotel must also ensure the proper calculation of redundancy and termination benefits. The hotel must also ensure that the protection of all outstanding rights and entitlements like outstanding vacation leave is addressed. The hotel must ensure transparent timelines and communications as to when all payments will be needed," he stressed.