The action comes at a crucial point in talks between the hotel employers association, the hotel union, Prime Minister Christie and Labour Minister Vincent Peet.
Mr. Peet, who was optimistic last week that the association and union would call a Christmas truce, chose not to comment yesterday on the go-slow, fearing that making a statement “would not help the situation”.
It was unclear Monday how the action was generally affecting hotels on New Providence and Paradise Island. It was believed that the radisson, Hilton and Atlantis properties were feeling the impact of the go-slow.
At Atlantis, which is 100 per cent full, there was a reported 60-70 per cent drop in productivity in the laundry department.
It is understood that union officials wre on the Paradise Island property yesterday to encourage the laundry workers to reduce their output.
The drop in productivity caused a shortage of towels at the pool and late delivery of dining room and bed linens.
Kerzner management said yesterday that it was “quite surprised” that the union would take action that could affect services at the resort, given the State Visit of the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, who was hosted to a dinner at the Coral Ballroom last night.
“Management is not in any way intimidated by tactics that hold the industry hostage,” Ed Fields, Kerzner International vice-president of public affairs told The Tribune yesterday.
“These actions will not result in any benefit to the union and its members. The BHEA has put its best offer on the table and this type of action does not change that fact.”
By Erica Wells, The Tribune
