Management at Sandals Royal Bahamian are threatening union members with legal action today over claims of staff intimidation.
Lawyers for Patrick Drake, the general manager of Sandals Royal Bahamian, are demanding a public apology from three members of the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU), who accused Mr Drake of criminal conduct.
Jennifer Turnquest, Tyrone Morris and Alexandria Constance were given 72 hours to comply before the matter was referred to the Supreme Court.
A letter from Mr Drake’s lawyers, written on February 8, read in part:
“The aforementioned Press Release referred to Mr Drake by name and stated, interalia, that Mr Drake forced employees to sign a petition otherwise they would lose their jobs.
“Further, the Press Release accused Mr Drake of criminal conduct, illegal activities and of having a regressive mentality.
“In the circumstances; we are instructed to demand, as we hereby demand, that you immediately issue a public apology to Mr Drake for these defamatory remarks.
“The wording of this apology is to be approved by the undersigned, as well as the manner and frequency of the publication of the apology.”
Ms Turnquest allegedly wrote the press release while Mr Morris and Ms Constance were accused of distributing it.
The intended court action follows a union demonstration in front of the resort last week protesting the circulation of a petition to the Minister of Labour requesting revocation of union representation.
The BHMAWU had claimed that employees were being “threatened” to sign the petition or risk losing their jobs.
Mr Drake vehemently denied the charges of intimidation last week, saying that the resort merely “recognised the right of workers to sign a petition to the Minister of Labour requesting revocation of union representation”.
Mr Drake explained that 70 per cent of current employees had not been hired when the vote for BHMAWU represention was taken in 2008. The resort feels that any attempt to “settle the question of union representation” must allow present workers “an opportunity to indicate whether they desire to be part of this union”.
Lawyers for Sandals say the union’s spurious allegations have sullied the resort’s reputation as an important tourism facility by creating the impression that Sandals violates the constitutional rights of its workers.
Union president Lynden Taylor refused to comment, as the union’s legal counsel is reviewing the situation.
