Hilton workers still hope to save jobs

Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. -
Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. -

CWU secretary general Clyde Elder said the impasse regarding the possible temporary lay-off of approximately 100 Hilton workers on Monday has got worse.

He said the CWU (Communication Workers’ Union) indicated to the management of Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre that the union was willing to consider a number of alternative options.

The union requested financial and other information in order to make a better-informed decision on behalf of the workers and the hotel, which claimed to be operating at a 67 per cent loss, but it was denied the information.

After being told about the decision on December 28, a meeting between the two was held on December 29. On December 30, the hotel suggested via e-mail that workers use all their vacation time, give up some of their benefits, and take a pay cut for three months on order to reverse the decision.

“According to the hotel, if workers are willing to do that, then nobody would be sent home. But it also means that workers will be doing the same amount of work for, in some cases, 40 to 50 per cent less of their monthly income.

“On top of that there is no indication from the hotel as to whether or not they are willing to reimburse the workers for the sacrifice they will be making for the next three months when things improve.”

Elder said with the borders remaining closed, there was no indication as to when the situation would improve, which was another reason why the union was fighting so hard to avoid the temporary lay-offs.

“We are aware it is not intended to be permanent but temporary lay-off is, in fact, a forerunner to retrenchment. So if there’s no improvement with the hotel in the next three months, then it means it will, in effect, become permanent.”

He said on December 31, he replied to the hotel stating that the union did not agree to the temporary lay-off of any staff and advised them not to do so without further discussion with the union because the decision would be challenged in the Industrial Court.

In a statement on December 30, Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company (eTecK), which has a lease arrangement with Hilton, said the government, through eTeck, was able to provide some support for Hilton employees in the midst of covid19, and was aware of the hotel’s decision.

“However, Hilton has leased the property and manages the operations of the hotel. Under normal circumstances, it is the business practice of the hotel industry to match staffing levels with that of business activity.”

Despite this, Elder remained hopeful that the management would engage with the union in meaningful discussions since they had a good relationship over the past three years.

The union was willing to meet with management as early as Tuesday in order to find a solution that would benefit the workers and the hotel.

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"Hilton workers still hope to save jobs"

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