Workers at two Montego Bay hotels strike

   

More than 100 employees at Secrets in Montego Bay, St. James are on strike to protest against low pay and conditions of work.

 

Workers from the adjoining property, Breathless Montego Bay Resort and Spa, have also walked off the job.

 

The workers from all departments of the hotels, owned by hotel chain Hyatt, have been gathered outside from about 8 a.m. Tuesday to call attention to their grouses.

 

Despite being addressed by the Secrets Resorts manager, the workers are demanding the presence of Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

 

Marsha Gaynor, who is assigned to the spa area at Secrets Resorts, says the employees are overworked and underpaid. 

 

"For the last 14 years, commissions have remained the same, have not been increased. Working conditions are horrible. As we speak, our water system is horrible where it has a stinky smell where they say it's water that is recycled, but I think this is really bad when a recycled water you can actually smell it when you open the top. Likewise, our parking conditions, in the parking lot where we are at that 22, is horrible. But our major concern is we need to raise of pay," she outlined.  

 

Ms. Gaynor gave a breakdown of the commission paid to the employees of the spa. 

 

"Commissions from a massage that's worth US$268, we only get an 8 per cent commission from that for our commissions. As per the flat salary, I know that flat salary for that department ranges from [about] US$500 per hour to [about] US$600 per hour. I really cannot tell you exactly what the flat salary is as per the other departments, but everybody is complaining," she insisted. 

 

The employee said this is comparable to between 13 per cent and 30 per cent commissions at other hotels in St. James. 

 

Daniele Galligani, Manager of Secrets Resorts, said he understands the decision by the workers to protest. He promised that a resolution is being crafted for the issues outlined, and that the management will provide an update in 24 hours. 

 

The Ministry of Labour has said an urgent meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday with the management and staff at Secrets Resorts and Spa in Montego Bay. 

 

The ministry said the meeting will be used to ventilate the issues and arrive at an amicable solution.