NASSAU, The Bahamas  – We’re pleased that the Court has extended the injunction until February 11, 2015 that bars the union from calling a strike or industrial action. We reiterate that a strike is not in the best interests of anyone—our employees, their families, the union, and the country. We appeal to union leadership to come back to the negotiating table to find a workable solution that will allow us to pay our employees their gratuities, and allow Meliá and our staff to move forward in growing our business.

We have worked for nearly a year to avoid this situation, and sought to negotiate in good faith with the union. We continue to be available to meet at any time, and for as long as necessary, to come to an agreement with union leadership on the all-inclusive gratuities issue. We have been setting aside all-inclusive gratuities for employees in an escrow account, to be paid out immediately upon resolution of this dispute.

We encourage all Meliá employees to get the facts for themselves about how the all-inclusive gratuities plan would benefit them. In an all-inclusive resort, guests pay one price for hotel, food & beverage and amenities. All eligible employees can get an equitable distribution of gratuities based on the all-inclusive price paid. For a majority of employees, this is a fairer deal and a higher total dollar amount.

Meliá operates many successful all-inclusive holiday resorts around the world, including in unionized markets, which validates that the proposed gratuities plan will work fairly and sustainably for both our employees and the hotel.