WIFOL’s ‘willing to talk’ with Simpson Bay Resort

May 05, 2012 3:04 PM

PHILIPSBURG - The Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL) is “willing to talk” with the management of Simpson Bay Resort (SBR) about the situation with workers caught in the change over saga from Pelican Resort to SBR, said WIFOL leader Theophilus Thompson.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, the union leader said, “We are always ready to talk to the owners of the resort.” Adding that, the dragging on of the situation is not good for the well-being of the workers, resort or the country.

Thompson called on employers’ organisations – St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) – to voice their opinion about the situation. The two organisations should get involved to get the resort owners and management to end the prolonging of the dispute.

The union won an appeal court case a week ago that stated they are the responsibility of SBR and their work agreements must the respected. Thompson met with the union’s attorneys on Wednesday afternoon to move forward after that judgement.

Thompson called on SBR Managing Director Mark Miller to refrain from giving the timeshare owners the impression that WIFOL is responsible for the issues at the former Pelican Resort Club.

The union is “just defending” the rights of its members – the workers, and is ensuring they are “not taken advantage of” like the timeshare owners were by Royal Resorts.

Commenting on the government shake-up and its impact on the SBR issue and workers in general, Thompson said tripartite balance (government, businesses and unions) is maintained.

(The Daily Herald)

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