Conflicting reports from Prime Minister Perry Christie and American hotelier Phil Ruffin yesterday about whether the Cable Beach redevelopment plan is still on left workers of properties along the strip confused.
But amid the confusion, many workers remained optimistic that negotiations for the project will soon be finalized.
Employees like Omar Armbrister, senior activities and entertainment manager at the government-owned Radisson Cable Beach Resort, are looking forward to the proposed redevelopment.
Mr. Armbrister said the project would be an exciting opportunity to pump life into the Cable Beach Strip.
ﾓThere is definitely a need for monies to be invested into the resort as it is an old property that is holding its own very well,ﾒ he said, referring to the Radisson.
ﾓThis property needs to move forward with time and catch up with the consistency of the industry in order for it to move forward and be competitive while continuing to grow in customer satisfaction.ﾒ
But he also has concerns about job security.
He said the more than 800 employees of Radisson should be given first preference at jobs should the deal eventually go through.
ﾓIf the resort is bought or renovated, present employees should be given first preference at available jobs because they already have knowledge of this product,ﾒ he said.
ﾓThey would have also been displaced due to the re-development and itﾴs only fair to allow them the opportunity to come back if they so desire.ﾒ
Shaun Christie, a manager at the neighbouring Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, said like other employees on the Strip, he too is in the dark regarding the future of Cable Beach.
ﾓWell, I am not certain about what exactly is happening right now, but the buzz around the hotel at this time is ﾑwhat exactly is going on?ﾴﾒ he said.
ﾓI think that what the people are looking for right now is for the government to say something that would let the workers know what is happening with their future. We are excited about new investors because the western district of this island is overdue for a makeover or an investor to come in and perk up this side of the island.ﾒ
Mr. Christie also urged the government to ensure that protection for workers is built into any contract it signs with new developers to prevent what happened at the Royal Oasis Resort in Freeport from happening anywhere else in the country, especially at Cable Beach.
The displaced workers of the Royal Oasis Resort were made redundant without severance payments last September, but the government over the weekend announced that it planned to help them in this regard.
Mr. Christie, supporting a popular idea, said there should be a bond put up that would secure severance pay for Cable Beach workers in the event that new investors fail to meet certain commitments.
He said that after many years of employment at the Wyndham, he is not comfortable with the thought that his severance pay would be non-existent.
However, Mr. Ruffin indicated to the Bahama Journal yesterday that the jobs of employees at his Bahamian resorts are secured, as long as he is owner of the properties.
But Prime Minister Christie also indicated in news reports yesterday that the government is still working to seal the deal.
Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
22 February, 2005
