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Photo: Antigua Observer
Former employees of the Curtain Bluff Resort gathered for a second week of protests yesterday, demanding unpaid severance and workplace injury compensation after decades of service.
Observer Media interviews the protestors including Philmore Watkins, former assistant supervisor who began working at the resort in 1973.
He said: “According to the law, our severance should have been paid. The case was taken to the Labour Commissioner where it was agreed that we were entitled to these payments. However, instead of honoring that agreement, the resort took the matter to court, where it has now been stalled for 10 years.”
“We respect Curtain Bluff and the new owners, but how can you pay off every single worker at the hotel and tell us that our money is sitting aside while the court decides whether we will even get paid? People have died waiting. How much longer do we have to wait? Justice delayed is justice denied,” Watkins added.
Zerina Macpherson, who worked at the resort for 27 years, stated: “I retired in 2015, and all I got was a letter. No severance, no real compensation—nothing. We are not asking for handouts; we just want what we worked for.”
Another former employee, Yvette Peters, who worked there for 33 years, simply said: “I need justice, and I need my money now.”
Charmaine Georges-Pilgrim, who suffered a workplace injury, claimed: “I tripped over a rope while on duty, and my health has never been the same. Despite being praised as the ‘backbone’ of the security department, I was pressured to return to work and denied proper medical care.”
“They even tried to manipulate my treatment, insisting I leave my doctor for someone chosen by them; I refused,” Georges-Pilgrim stated. “Instead of supporting me, they offered minimal sick pay and dismissed my suffering, I need justice.”
In response, Curtain Bluff Resort’s Managing Director, Robert Sherman, said: “The retired Curtain Bluff employees who are picketing have received their severance pay and their pension fund contributions upon retirement from Curtain Bluff several years ago. Curtain Bluff started its thrift/pension fund in 1987, 23 years before the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel Association and the Antigua and Barbuda Worker’s Union introduced this plan in other member hotels.”
“Curtain Bluff refutes the false information that is being projected in the media that we have withheld payments to any of our past employees. Curtain Bluff will await the Court’s review of the matter and will be guided by the Courts’ decision,” Sherman added.
Watkins however vowed: “We will be here as long as it takes. We built this hotel with our hard work, and we refuse to be ignored.”
They haven’t settled the people pay yet?
I hope young people see the need to stay in school and study hard. Nuh badda expect no decent job from hotel with just a high school diploma in yuh hand.
Just pay the ppl and them. Y’all to wicked
Hurts having to do this for what you work hard for!
Popular trend for hotels to exploit black people and also under pay them. I worked in a key position at a hotel and asked for an increase on my pay and they told me the company didn’t budget for that..however soon after they hired 5 white expats that barely did any real work other than make me work harder than I needed to while they are being paid 4 times my salary…they don’t give a frig about you so don’t esse up on them.