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Peet: Hotel Row Over

The agreement was settled on Wednesday between The Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union and The Bahamas Hotel Employers Association.


The official execution of the agreement is expected to take place either today or Friday, said Minister of Labour and Immigration, Vincent Peet, in the House of Assembly Wednesday, but union leaders have stated otherwise.

Amongst thunderous applauds from parliamentarians, Mr. Peet said after months of “intensive” negotiations, and with both sides determined to arrive at the best agreements for their constituents, agreed on the following:


Year one

A new five-year industrial agreement with a lump sum payment in year one of $500 for non-tipped employees and $400 for tipped employees for all the 11 hotel properties in New Providence under The Bahamas Hotel Employers Association

Year two

A zero increase with a 25-cent increase gratuity for employees in the housekeeping department and a 10 cents increase gratuity for bell service employees for groups and conventions

Year three

A four percent increase in salaries

Year four

A lump sum of $400 per employee in addition to a further 25 cents increase in gratuities for housekeeping employees and an additional 15 cents increase for bell service employees, groups and conventions

Year five

A four-and-a-half per cent increase in the salaries for all employees


Minister Peet said there are a number of other benefits, including an improved leave for accidents incurred on the job, from 12 weeks with full pay, to 18 weeks with full pay, which would increase to 20 weeks in 2007. There is also provision, he said, for improved training and education of employees and a commitment to improve productivity standards for all employees and managers.

On the other hand, president of the BHCAWU, Pat Bain, told The Guardian Wednesday he was not in a “position” to comment on the announcement made by Mr. Peet until meeting with his executive board. Asked if negotiations were in fact over, he only responded: “When we are ready to make a statement, we will.”

President of BHEA, J. Barrie Farrington said Wednesday: “We really have to await official word, but needless to say, if what Minister Peet has conveyed represents the final outcome of negotiations, then we are indeed very pleased, but we will have to wait for official communication from the minister, which presumably would be forthcoming soon.”


“Following this, we will issue an official press statement, depending on the content of the communication issued by the Minister.”

Mr. Farrington said although he is fully aware of the contents of the agreement and has received word that the agreement was ratified by the membership, he has not received final communication from the minister’s office.

“Rather than speculate and make a statement that might be at variance with what the position is, I want to wait to receive official word from the minister and then we will communicate,” he said.

Mr. Farrington also told The Guardian he was not told anything about the agreement being officially executed “by Friday of this week,” as stated by Mr. Peet in the House of Assembly.

Mr. Peet said in the House that negotiations between BEHA and BHCAWU were perhaps the “most difficult” negotiation in recent history. He added, however, that through it all, he personally commends Mr. Farrington for his leadership and for the compromises made.

“I must equally commend Mr. Pat Bain, whose task was extremely difficult … for providing leadership and taking some bold steps in making the agreement possible,” he said. “Also, I commend those special individuals who worked hard behind the scene to make this agreement possible.”

Mr. Peet also commended Prime Minister Christie for the interest he has shown and the time he has spent with all parties to ensure that they arrived at an agreement that was fair and in the best interest of all concerned. Mr. Christie’s intervention, he said, was “critical” to the success of the agreement.

As the execution of the agreement is expected today or on Friday, Mr. Peet said the process of “healing” can now begin in order for both parties to move on to the next level.

After more than a year-long battle between BHEA and BHCAWU, negotiations were dormant until a demonstration by Atlantis workers in late November 2003, brought to light the current industrial agreement had expired since January 2003.

Since that demonstration, union workers took a strike vote on Dec. 4 and subsequently staged a go-slow at several of the leading hotels during the state visit of South African President Thabo Mbeki just before the new year. The impasse between the union and the association also forced an intervention by Mr. Christie and Mr. Peet.

Last week, however, after another round of intense negotiations, union president Pat Bain expressed pleasure at the movement of the negotiation. In a statement issued by the union, he said BHCAWU remains firm in its mandate to pursue an acceptable increase in wages for its seven thousand-plus members.

By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian

Posted in Headlines

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