Many former workers at Harrisons Cave not being rehired

Very few Barbadians who have reapplied for positions at Harrison’s Cave have been rehired.

And the development has not escaped the attention of the National Union of Public Workers’ (NUPW), who says it is concerned about it.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Jamaica’s largest nature adventure tour operator, was recently awarded a 25-year lease by Government to operate the Cave from December 1.

Under the new leadership, all of the Cave’s employees were made redundant and paid out and told they would have to reapply for their desired position.

However, acting general secretary of the NUPW, Wayne Walrond, told Barbados TODAY it was the union’s understanding that the majority of workers would be rehired by Chukka.

He said this had proven not to be the case.

“The NUPW has been receiving a number of complaints from employees at Caves of Barbados Limited who have been severed. The understanding was that the workers, on being severed, would exercise their right to opt to go to the new company Chukka and they would do that by applying to that company.

“What we have been informed of is that many of the workers have been turned down and have been unsuccessful and we are a little concerned because this goes against the understanding and the general pronouncement previously made, that in general, workers would transition to the Chukka company, which is the concessionaire that has been selected to run Harrison’s Cave. So this is something that we need to get more information on,” Walrond said.

When contacted, Chairman of Caves of Barbados Ltd, Ralph Thorne told Barbados TODAY he could not speak to the issue.

“I have no authority to speak on behalf of Chukka and I have no energy to respond to mischief,” he said in a brief response.

Walrond said with respect to persons who were successful in their efforts, discussions still needed to take place related to terms and conditions of employment under Chukka.

He said the NUPW was expecting these terms and conditions to be no less favourable than was obtained under the Caves of Barbados Ltd.

“Even with those who may be successful in securing employment with Chukka we are yet to discuss under what terms and conditions these workers will be employed, because obviously if you look at the terms and conditions which they enjoyed under the Caves of Barbados Ltd – for example, a group medical insurance plan [and] provisions for sick leave, are parallel to what runs in the statutory boards – there is a legitimate expectation not to be under any terms less favourable,” Walrond noted.

He said discussions were also needed as it related to some former NCC workers who were transferred to the Cave.

“There are some issues with pension arrangements with former NCC workers who have been severed from the Cave and loss of earnings for being severed before their period of retirement. Those are issues that we have to discuss. The union will continue to monitor the situation with the employees and hopefully will be looking to get around the table with this new entity to ensure that terms and conditions can be ironed out so that the best representation is given and the best conditions are secured for these workers who are transitioning to that new entity,” Walrond said.

At a press conference last month, Chukka’s chief executive officer Marc Melville admitted there would be job losses as a result of the takeover.

He also revealed that the company was investing $9 million to transform Harrison’s Cave into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for locals and visitors.

The money will be invested during phase one of the project which is expected to begin in early 2021.
(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)