“Today Was Just the Beginning, We Will Repeat This as Many Times”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Tensions flared outside the Margaritaville Beach Resort Tuesday morning as members of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union staged a demonstration outside the resort over accusations of unfair practices.

Union leaders say they’re fed up with what they claim is “collusion” that’s been unchecked for more than a year. Dozens of taxi drivers lined Bay Street outside Margaritaville Tuesday morning, attempting to block access to the resort.

Tyrone Gilbert – President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union
“There’s this one particular taxi driver that works from this property. Who’s been, uh, colluding with the employees of Margaritaville, particularly the bellman and the security people, uh, and calling them up, uh, for jobs on their foot, on their cell phone rather than using the regular call up system.”

Gilbert’s claims didn’t stop there.

Tyrone Gilbert – President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union
“This gentleman he arrives at the property. He tells them they have to pay him $20 to work at this property. Nowhere in this island as a taxi driver supposed to pay to work on a public stand.”

According to Gilbert, there have been several meetings with hotel management and road traffic officials to address the issue but nothing has changed.

He says the union has been raising the alarm for nearly a year, and warns today’s protest is just the beginning.

Tyrone Gilbert – President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union
“Our interest is to represent the rights of the workers, and we want our drivers to be treated fairly.”

Margaritaville’s general manager Shyam Lalu denies any wrongdoing by resort staff, saying management has been working in good faith with the union and road traffic officials to keep the process fair.

Lalu insists the hotel remains committed to cooperating with both the union and government agencies to maintain order and transparency.

Now the union president says his union will do whatever it takes to get this matter resolved.

Tyrone Gilbert – President, Bahamas Taxi Cab Union
“We will repeat this as many times as we have to at this property and any other property, uh, because this is unacceptable to us to have taxi drivers. Paying another taxi driver.”