On the same day that it welcomed guests and employees back on the property after months of being shuttered, Atlantis Paradise Island informed employees that it will provide Christmas bonuses and assistance to its team members in keeping with the holiday season.
In a letter to staff, Atlantis said it will provide grocery vouchers to employees at level 6, 7, 8 and 9; a $500 holiday bonus to employees at level 7, 8 and 9 and a $500 employee assistance fund to workers at level 9.
“We have been through a long journey this year and are about to turn the corner and traverse the path to recovery. We are excited about the reopening of the resort this week and welcoming back our first group of returning team members,” the letter to staff dated December 10 stated.
“We recognize that not everyone is back at this time and many of you continue to face the challenges brought on by this global pandemic.”
Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCWU) President Darrin Woods said the gesture is appreciated, even though employees are entitled to a bonus under their industrial agreement.
He added though that for now the focus is on getting employees back to work.
“The thing now is to get people back to work. That’s the issue whenever the time becomes appropriate and the relevant agencies are open and ready to deal with stuff like that,” Woods said.
“To get back in the shortest possible time and to get relief with as little disruption in their way of life. We know COVID-19 is going to be around for a long period of time. Even though there’s talk about vaccines, some people may be a little bit apprehensive accepting these vaccines. So we have to see how this all plays out.”
Woods said at the appropriate time the union will seek confirmation from the hotel on the measures provided within the industrial agreement.
“We have to talk because there is an expectation for the employees, even though they were on furlough, there is the expectation that they are entitled to a Christmas bonus. What was paid is not entitlement and so we now need to find out when the balance is going to be paid,” he said.
“Because what we found happened was that the bonus was prorated, yes the hotel was closed, but proration only comes into play when someone is terminated and those persons have not been terminated. They in fact were on furlough, their benefits continued to accrue and their tenure continued to accrue. But off course we will deal with that at the appropriate time.”
The post Atlantis pledges Christmas bonuses, support to employees appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/atlantis-pledges-christmas-bonuses-support-to-employees/
No comments:
Post a Comment