NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Disgruntled hotel workers picketed outside several towers at Atlantis resort this morning in response to recent shift changes and other unresolved issues.

Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) president Darrin Woods told Eyewitness News Online the demonstration signaled looming industrial action as workers were frustrated with the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers’ Association (BHREA) ineffective posturing on labor issues.

The union’s primary goal is to secure a “registered” industrial agreement for its membership, but Woods said other key issues include: the recent shift change at the Four Seasons Ocean Club; outsourcing in laundry areas at Atlantis resort; and recent terminations.

“It’s a free for all for employers,” Woods said.

“They have been making changes after changes. We went to labor, they have changed shifts, outsourced some areas, we took a strike vote but we can’t seem to get anywhere on outstanding issues.

He continued: “This is the first step in taking industrial action against the industry as a whole. The last straw was the changes Ocean Club made, the association can’t seem to reign members in and our members need relief. We asked and we pleaded, we were told the association can’t do anything about the changes.

Woods said the union will continue picketing as long as its members were prepared to stay.

“Under industrial relations act, there are rules for picketing. They have a right to picket outside the place they are employed.”