Hundreds of Grand Lucayan Employees Get Walking Papers

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GRAND BAHAMA , THE BAHAMAS – Hundreds of Grand Lucayan employees are now without jobs and the Davis administration confirmed that its completed a targeted redundancy exercise at the resort.

Officials said that the move cleared the way for redevelopment, but for many workers, Friday was an emotional one.

Our Delvardo Emmanuel told the story.

Former Employee – Grand Lucayan

“ How I feel about my pocket? Yes. I’m, I’m, I’m pleased. You know why? Because I put God first. I wake up with only a couple dollars in my bank account. Now I got extra amount no matter what the amount is, God bless me or something, so I’ll make the best of it.”

This reaction came from the hundreds of former Grand Lucayan employees who flocked to the resort’s convention centre today, not for a shift, but to collect final pay checks.

Among those being made redundant, were line-staff, supervisors, and managers.

Our News cameraman, Dave Mackey was on property from 8 a.m on Friday morning to receive reaction from the former workers.

This is came after workers received an internal email from hotel management that advised staff that payments would be distributed inside salon three, between 9 am and 5 pm Friday.

For Talisa Jones, she said the payout will help with bills, but the process itself was frustrating.

Talisa Jones – Former Employee, Grand Lucayan

“ I feel like it could be more smoother. I feel like they shouldn’t tell us the time to like, come and then still have people waiting in the sun because I have a shift at three, so I need to go home and prepare for my other job. But yeah, I don’t think it’s really professional “

However, for former resort workers, D’vone Knowles and Philip Sturrup, the payout brings closure after years of uncertainty.

D’vone Knowles – Former Bartender, Grand Lucayan Resort

“It could have been better, but, you know, we have, it’s, it’s better this, you see, you saying he’s waiting a long time for this and it finally came through.I thinking about, you know, doing something. I is a bartender actually. Yeah. So I’m planning on going on the cay.”

Philip Sturrup – Former Worker, Grand Lucayan Resort

“ Now I can put this behind me and say, now I’m going forward and dealing with whatever it is the lord puts in my path. Mm-hmm. Just follow, follow the voice and he’ll lead me into good posture. “

However, others weren’t happy with what they got.

Shanika King – Former Guest Service Manager, Grand Lucayan Resort

“ They gave us two weeks pay and another two weeks of gratuity, and then they gave us an accrued Christmas bonus.
So all in all, if you average at or calculate, you’ll be looking at four weeks pay, “

Director of Investments in the Office of the Prime Minister, Phylicia Woods-Hanna, said that the “targeted redundancy exercise” will prepare the resort for its re-development by Concord Wilshire and other partners.

Phylicia Woods-Hanna – Director of Investments, OPM

“ The restructuring at the Grand Lucayan is a part of a wider effort to put the property on a sound footing, attract sustainable investments, and create much deserving long-term jobs and business opportunities for the people of Grand Bahama.”

Officials say the Department of Labour is working with union leaders to help affected employees find new jobs through job matching, vacancies, and skills training.