Tuesday, August 26 2008

President of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) Joseph Remy yesterday said Hilton Trinidad would be putting hundreds of non-permanent employees on the breadline as the hotel downsizes its staff due to decreasing revenue.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the CWU building, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, Remy said the fall in revenue resulted from a “squandermania of millions of dollars” in the refurbishment of Hilton Trinidad, which, he claimed, could not be accounted for by the management. He also called for an immediate audit of Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited (Eteck), which is responsible for the renovation of the hotel.

Several non-permanent Hilton employees, interviewed by Newsday, also said they were being underemployed and kept from gaining permanent positions through the abuse of a “break in service system.” One employee explained that she had been a regular temporary worker with Hilton for the last 15 years.

She explained, “You work for three months, then they give you a break in service of three weeks no pay. That is how they keep you temporary and ensure that you are entitled to nothing.”

Some employees also alleged that Hilton’s management had blacklisted them so they would not be employed by any other hotel. One employee said, “Hilton wants us to be surplus labour especially when the hotel reaches back to full scale next year. What are we suppose to do until then?”

Human resource director at the Hilton, yesterday Jonathan Cumberbatch explained the downsizing of staff had become necessary because of the renovations taking place at the hotel. the construction is scheduled to be completed in September 2009.

“Competition in the industry has also led to less revenue for the hotel,” said Cumberbatch.

He also denied any blacklisting of staff by that management.