Royalton Negril workers’ wishes granted after high-level meeting
Published:Thursday | October 24, 2024 | 12:12 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
The just over 200 militant workers who walked off the job and staged a protest at Royalton Negril on National Heroes Day got their wish on all counts yesterday following a meeting among the hotel’s management, the workers, and tourism stakeholders led by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
The workers had been demanding better working conditions, better remuneration, and the removal of a general manager,
Following the meeting, which was labelled ‘private’ and from which The Gleaner was blocked, Maxine Fountain, the company’s room division manager, said a decision was made to suspend the general manager who the workers wanted removed. In addition, the workers’ salary packages were improved, and an offer was made for better meals at the workers’ canteen.
“Our VP (vice-president) of operations, with immediate effect, injected some capital solely for the staff canteen,” said Fountain. She intimated that the improvement was already in place as Bartlett had lunch with the workers - who, seemingly, were pleased with the outcome of the meeting - in the canteen.
In relation to the low wages, which some workers described as slave labour, Royalton’s resident manager, Alvin Anderson, said it was agreed that the workers would get an immediate increase in wages, with a promise for even more benefits soon.
“We have put some more money for these for the next coming year. We have increased the gratuity. The company has also taken a decision to put an extra $40,000 for this period, where for October, when we know the occupancy is low, for November we know the occupancy is low… they have inserted $40,000 that will stay right across the board for everybody… all the line team members and supervisors.”
In terms of amenities to improve the general working conditions of the workers, Anderson said that in the upcoming months, the workers could also look out for the installation of a barbershop and a gym, which would help the workers to keep up their physical appearance and make them feel more appreciated.
Following the meeting, Bartlett said he was happy with the outcome of the meeting, noting that in his discussions with the hotel’s management ,he had been given the assurance that going forward, the contentious issues would be a thing of the past.
“We are satisfied that there is the basics here of a sustainable relationship, one also that I think is going to be bounded with respect. It came out from the different layers of workers, not just the ordinary workers, so to speak, but management as well,” said Bartlett.
Following the protest on Monday, during which the then disgruntled workers got support from guests at the property, members of the hotel’s top management, who are based in Canada, flew into the island to take charge of the situation. They reportedly met with the workers on Tuesday and responded positively to their demands, which resulted in the immediate resumption of work.
During the demonstration on Monday, the workers used placards to highlight their grouses, claiming poor treatment, low wages, and the unwillingness of the general manager to listen to their concerns.