Freeport, Grand Bahama – Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd (“LRHL”) has heard comments made by Mr.
Obie Ferguson regarding proceedings recently filed by LRHL with the
Industrial Tribunal seeking constitutional relief in regards to a Trade
Dispute filed by the former Hotel Union with the Industrial Tribunal in
2017. The proceedings recently filed by LRHL are not contentious, but
as a matter of procedure, it is necessary to conclude the outstanding
matter and to include the Attorney General and the Tribunal when a party
to a trade dispute is seeking relief under the Constitution.
Mr. Ferguson would be aware that the Industrial Agreement between the Hotel and the former Hotel Union expired on June 17th, 2016, 5 years after it was signed. In accordance with the Industrial Relations Act and numerous Court rulings, the Agreement cannot run past five (5) years without a new agreement being negotiated between the parties. Mr. Ferguson failed to negotiate a new agreement on behalf of the former Hotel Union.
Despite no agreement being in place, the former Hotel Union filed a Trade Dispute in 2017 and almost three (3) years later, the parties still have no resolution from the Industrial Tribunal despite intimation the Tribunal, that the trade dispute proceedings filed by the former Hotel Union were misconceived. LRHL is desirous of concluding the former Hotel Union’s legal challenge that was fraught with procedural and jurisdictional mistakes and the current step by LRHL seeks to do just that and nothing more.
With LRHL having voluntarily given the former hotel employees, including the managers, their separation packages earlier in the year, and the expiration of the industrial agreement in 2016, the Tribunal Action should never have been initiated.
LRHL regrets the inflammatory, misguided, and inaccurate spin placed on events by Mr. Ferguson, though it is not surprised. The singular intention of LRHL at this juncture is to have struck or stayed the improper and misguided trade dispute initiated by Mr. Ferguson.
