Four Seasons axes managers

by MARIA BRADSHAW

ALL REMAINING managerial staff on the Four Seasons project have been fired.

However, construction of the multi-million-dollar hotel and resort in Black Rock, St Michael, is scheduled to resume by September with a new contractor.

Employees who received notice about the termination of their services via telephone last Tuesday are accusing Cinnamon 88, the original contractor, of reneging on its repeated promises to rehire them.

They are also questioning the legality of the termination letters which were signed by Robin Patterson, one of the directors of the company. They claim that Patterson did not hold a work permit.

His letter indicated that a new capital partner made it clear it wished to restructure the company and to appoint a main contractor for the Four Seasons & Private Residences project.

"Whilst for many of you this is disappointing as Cinnamon 88 would no longer be the contractor, this decision takes away the uncertainty that currently exists," the letter said.

"Consequently, we have to inform you that your services are no longer required and your employment is terminated effective today, 28 July, 2009."

Patterson gave the WEEKEND NATION the assurance the project would resume in September.

This newspaper was reliably informed that the investor was Myabach Corporation, out of Canada.

Patterson said firing the staff was a stipulation from the new investors, but pointed out that the contractor would be a local one and more Barbadians would be employed than what obtained before.

He also confirmed that his work permit had expired on June 7, but said he was awaiting an extension.

He stated that as one of the directors he had to sign the letters because Mike Pemberton, chief executive officer of Cinnamon 88, was out of the island.

Former project manager Christopher Millington, along with other former employees, who did not want to be identified, questioned the legality of the letters and complained that no mention was made of their severance packages.

"We went to the National Insurance and the Labour Office trying to find out if this dismissal letter had any validation because it was signed by a man who has no work permit. And nobody can guide us on how to get our money. All they are telling us is that we would have to get an attorney," Millington stated.

Another man stated that the more than 30 employees were upset.

"It is outrageous after Mr Pemberton was publicly saying that we were only laid off temporarily and we will all be rehired," he said.

The workers were also given until today to return the company's vehicles, cellular phones and laptop computers.