The CCWU says it is investigating the management of the Ocean View and Tower hotels after employees complained that their employers had taken certain steps that have led them to believe that their rights may be trampled upon.
Employees from both hotels are members of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), a press release said. The CCWU said it had “recently organized” the Ocean View International Hotel and it has since received reports that the hotel has been sold. The Union said it understands that the hotel came under “new Management” from January 1 though evidence only indicates a new owner.
It is not clear if the previous owner George Lord has followed the requirements under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Article 12 and though employees have not been given severance pay they said management has written to them advising them that they are now on probation.
The same management that served the old employer, the CCWU explained, served the notice on workers that have been employed at Ocean View for several years.
The CCWU said it applied to the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TUR&CB) on January 14 seeking certification to represent the hotel’s employees. Three days later, on January 17, the general manager served notice on the employees advising them that they should submit claims for outstanding benefits to the previous owner, “a total disregard for what the law stipulates,” the Union said. The CCWU said it is very concerned about these developments as Articles 9 and 10 of the Act said an employer can terminate an employee “at any time during the probationary period for any reason and without notice.”
The CCWU said a similar complaint came from employees at Hotel Tower. The hotel is about to “change hands” and the employees, the Union and the Labour ministry have not been informed. All efforts to engage Tower’s management in discussion have proved futile the CCWU said.
