Reefs Makes Eight Maintenance Staff Redundant

February 17, 2015

The Reefs Hotel has confirmed that eight employees in the Maintenance Department have been given redundancy notices, as the department’s work will be outsourced to a local company, saying :redundancy is never an easy decision; however it is a necessary one for the survival of our business.”

A spokesperson said, “The Reefs Management can confirm the notice of redundancy regarding 8 employees in the Maintenance Department, due to the outsourcing of this department to a local Facilities Management Company, iFM.

“The announcement of redundancy is never an easy decision; however it is a necessary one for the survival of our business.

“After thorough and careful consideration of different alternatives, and given the fact that we have an aging physical plant, we believe the partnership with iFM will assist The Reefs in the optimization and efficiency of its maintenance operations.

“This partnership also allows The Reefs to have access to a pool of highly qualified technicians and mechanics, and to reduce its operational costs.

“In order to provide our guests with the best experience possible, we need to maintain and enhance our physical product to a high standard. The professional implementation and management of initiatives such as energy conservation, preventative maintenance and long term asset management is vital to the hotel’s future.

“We believe the best way to achieve this is through leveraging the systems, capabilities and experience of a strong, local company such as iFM.

“Not only will they help us deliver an excellent customer experience in the short term but, crucially, will also safeguard our physical assets and future product investments in the long term.

“We are providing full support to all our employees affected by this change.”

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Comments (125)

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  1. Ed Case says:

    Very sad for the folks invloved. I bet everyone of them would have preferred to take a furlough day once a month – and be happy to do so. Not our Civil Servants though. They act like they are spashul and the onliest ones making a sacrifice.

    • Fluffy says:

      The Reefs making staff redundant is good for the Reefs not the Bermuda Government!

      • Silver Lining says:

        Clearly missed the point…

      • Ladybug says:

        Fluffy – reread what Ed Case said again without racing through it.

        He is simply stating that if they had a choice to keep a job or be made redundant, they would have probably agreed to a furlough day in order to stay employed, even if it is one less day vs. no days.

    • Mockingjay says:

      Ok let my try to figure this out, Hotels get a concessions to keep employees employed, the owner of this Hotel an O.B.A/ubp member/supporter/advocate, who’s party promised 2000 jobs, a B.T.A Board member which we don’t know how much he’s being paid(well we know the C.E.O is getting $7,000 a week) SMFH, outsources to Friends and FAMILY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Triangle Drifter says:

        Maybe you should actually read & see what is happening & why. It is all laid out quite simpley.

      • frank says:

        This hotel owner should be removed From the bta. Board the government. Gives him a large amount of the taxpayers money as a tax break. To. Help run his hotel
        He takes the money and then gets rid of. Bermudians
        He also owns a. Hotel in Nevis. And I know down there he has to hire the locals
        Because I have. Been. There.

    • Mockingjay says:

      Vote for JOBS ?????????????????????????????????????

      • umok says:

        Yes we got sold a dream that never came true. Welcome to politics.

    • Purple Koolaid says:

      Sad to hear but we are seeing a lot of these large companies wiggling their way in and forcing full time workers out. Its hard for a company not to take these offers.

      They pay a set amount and don’t have to worry about strikes, sick days, vacation, pension, insurance. If someone does not show up for work? They won’t have to pay them if a replacement isn’t onsite. If it doesn’t work out, they fire the company and outsource to another. Makes great business sense. Sad for the staff that are there already.

      Hopefully some of them will get hired by IFM.

    • Reggie says:

      As a civil servant, I think that it’s unfair to paint all of us with the same brush. I am agreeable with continuing with the current furlough day arrangement but the decision is not mine to make. These days, it seems that we just find things out after the fact as opposed to having any real input. ie) Last Friday’s vote by members on whether to make the position of BPSU President a full-time position.

    • Mockingjay says:

      Guess we have to cancel the boys night out we had planned up there.

  2. Ed Case says:

    Hopefully the BIU will step in and supply some unemployment pay packets for these unemployed ppl. Oh I forgot, they don’t do that like normal unions.

  3. Oh My says:

    And its (iFM) a part of the Ascendant Group (BELCO, BESCO, AIR CARE and Bermuda Gas and Utility…to name a few).

    • Lawry says:

      Hope they do a better job for the Reefs than these same folks did for the microwave, oven and fridge I bought from them – ended up using Joshua Bates to service them all as the BELCO outfit I purchased them from completely failed in their obligations.

  4. nok says:

    now go ahead and blame the PLP!!!GO ahead OBA paid bloggers start now.Ready set go!!!

    • Franklin Jr says:

      The OBA doesn’t need to pay bloggers. Their supporters tend to be capable of holding down their own jobs and contributing to society on their own merits and do not require the support of a political party

      • flikel says:

        ” Their supporters tend to be capable of holding down their own jobs”

        This is an insensitive remark, considering many people are unemployed through no fault of their own. So, I guess only PLP supporters are being made redundant and are unemployed…because apparently all the OBA supporters have the intellect, capability and prowess to maintain employment.

        What’s with you unemployed PLP supporters…why cant you hold down a job like the OBA folk?

        • Hurricane says:

          I agree completely,very insensitive and quite ignorant. It suggest that only PLP supporters are being made redundant. SMH

        • Franklin Jr says:

          I said tend… it’s not an absolute. And I said nothing of the PLP. Any inference is your own

          • Hurricane says:

            Tell me, where do you get it from that OBA supporters “tend to be capable of holding down their own jobs”? That statement alone suggest the opposite of the PLP. Tell me what have you to support the statement.

            • Franklin jr says:

              Ahh! but there’s the problem

              Why must one be either OBA or PLP? The trouble with Bermuda is precisely that – blind aligence to party and screw everything else!

              • Hurricane says:

                Just as I thougt, nothing to back up what was an ignorant statement.

          • frank says:

            Franklin jr you should just keep your stupid thoughts. To. Yourself

        • umok says:

          I’m sure a good bit of the unemployed voted for the OBA instead because they promised 2,000 jobs. The OBA sold us false hopes!

      • Just Curious says:

        Well said !

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Now what in the world does this have to do with the PLP? What does it have to do with the OBA?

      This is what businesses do to stay in businesses. They operate in the most efficient & effective way. They are outsourcing to a company that has far more experience & resources than they could have inhouse. One less headache for management to deal with.

      8 are made redundant but others will have more work to do which means more secure jobs.

      • mixitup says:

        Lol. 3 years ago It was nothing to do with a changed business model..

        • Mockingjay says:

          Absolutely, three years ago Triangle Drifter was the leading chair leader of ‘ it’s the P.L.P’S fault, but don’t be surprised, have not heard anything about Jet Gate and all the other Gate’s and will hear nothing from the Gate’s to come.

  5. sage says:

    Never the dead wood at the higher levels getting booted, if you outsource most functions you should need less managers.

  6. Just a matter of time says:

    @ Ed Case. You certainly would be singing a different tune if you were doing the following:

    Renting your apt to a civil servant
    Selling your groceries to a civil servant
    Working for Belco or any other utility providing services to a civil servant
    Selling any other retail goods to a civil servant
    Doing banking with a civil servant
    Operating a nursery school to children of civil servants
    etc. etc. etc. etc. etc….

    Like it or not, civil servants are helping to hold up this island in these precarious times. That pesky little circle of life thingy does get in the way huh? It has been proven time and again that austerity measures without a plan does not work.

    • Kangoocar says:

      @just a matter of time, hate to tell you this but firstly you are wrong!!! And secondly an economics course would not hurt you!!! When will it ever sink into the craniums of the CS/plp and union supporters, the FACT that the government is going into a bigger HOLE everyday borrowing and paying for those CS workers jobs???? somehow it is entirely missed by the supporters of that voodoo plp economics mentality that we are ALL paying for it and there will be a day real soon, that if we don’t stop it, we are all done!!!! the CS was increased enormously under the incompetent PLP and we couldn’t afford it when they did it, and we sure as heck CANT afford it now!!! We need to stop living beyond our means, the $$$BDA is worthless anywhere else in the world!!! Please study these facts before you comment!!!!

      • BetttyTrump says:

        Vote FOR JOBS JOBS JOBS…..REALLY

        THAT’S LIKE VOTING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. ..OOOH

        • iabingi says:

          Tell me then Betty, who should we vote for?

          • umok says:

            The PLP should reinvent itself and recruit the best minds in Bermuda. They should recruit all walks of life and hit the ground running for the next election.

            Iabingi, you should vote for the party that aligns more so with your own political ideologies and who you truly believe would have the most positive impact for Bermuda as a whole.

      • frank says:

        Kangoocar. Maybe you can answer this why the hell are we paying the CEO of the bta 295000 a year
        Plus a $75000 a year for rent.

        • Kangoocar says:

          Because if you pay peanuts, you get what you pay for!!!! Can you understand that??? If I took that job, I would be taking a huge decrease in earnings!!!!!

      • umok says:

        Kangoocar, why don’t you take the economics course instead. Your logic is flawed. I understand you are an OBA bigot but please make sense before you go off on a rant.

        So if we downsize government where will the unemployed find jobs when there are no jobs? Everyone needs a job, needs to eat, needs to be able to pay bills, needs to be able to take care of their children. Why don’t you read up on human rights as well while your at it.

        We may not be able to reverse the economic decline. We have no natural resources and no native industry to help us. The only thing we can do is increase the appetite for foreign investment and that’s not a guarantee.

        • Kangoocar says:

          Umok, and when the government CAN’T borrow anymore and the rest of the private citizens CAN’T pay any higher taxes, and the Government RUNS OUT OF MONEY!!! Then what??? If you can give me a reasonable response to that, I will gladly take the time to explain how things can work!!!!! I will wait for your response????

          • Kangoocar says:

            As expected from ” umok” tree frogs and crickets?????

          • umok says:

            So your solution is to immediately cut government jobs? Do you know what kind of social problems that will cause especially with the state of the economy?

            If you think the turn out for Furlough days was huge, then you will be in for a stark reality if a large portion of government jobs are cut.

            I understand the importance of the 2 billion debt. The OBA/PLP need to reinforce our two economic pillars. Jobs need to be created in the private sector so that government can downsize the civil service over time through attrition etc. Additionally, they need to be strategic with making cuts to the budget. There are still ways to get the economy going. The OBA just need to make the right decisions.

            We can still borrow more money for a while. Our debt per capita isn’t as high as some of the other jurisdictions. Borrowing money is only a temporary fix not a long term solution. Both the OBA and PLP know this.

    • Ed Case says:

      @just a matter: I am doing some of the things you mentioned. The Civil Servants helping to hold up this island? Don’t make me laugh. Their lack of willingness to make sacrifice will come back to haunt them. The crunch is coming thats for sure.

      I work in the private sector and value my job – I also realize it could be cut at any time so I try my best to be valuable to my employer. Civil Servants don’t have to worry about that cos they’re ‘Spashul’. They are guaranteed their jobs – which is just one reason they are so inefficient. They simply don’t bother.

      In the real world cuts have to be made. It is very sad for those who are cut. The Government workers refused to do their bit – selfish is the only word. As I said, it will come back to bite them – when the cuts are made anyway.

      • umok says:

        The system is designed to take advantage of greed to begin with. The problem isn’t with the government workers.

  7. Investor says:

    Civil Service “workers” continue to get all the perks of a secure job and huge pensions.

    • Lebron says:

      True enough, our bloated civil service remains a major problem to progress.

      As an example, every morning for months I drove past 5 guys fixing that wall on Harbour Rd, or rather drinking coffee and staring at the traffic.

      Now why did it take them 4 months to fix I wonder?

      • BetttyTrump says:

        OBA promised in a letter to the CS, they would not cut CS jobs,despite knowing the current economic climate Bermuda was faced with……was this merely poltical twisting for votes. ….now…..the failure of broken promises from the OBA is not looking good. …

      • JUNK YARD DOG says:

        Because they were “swinging the lead”.

      • JUNK YARD DOG says:

        @Lebron Because they were ” Swinging the lead”.

        There is a lot of that going on in the work place all the way to the top .

  8. Just a matter of time says:

    When times were good, Govt had a hard time hiring or keeping civil servants. In fact, many people turned their nose up to a Govt job. Now that a Govt job is seen to be an envious hedge against the downturn, they are treated like garbage. The venom spouted against civil servants by OBA supporters is a pathology that needs to be studied…

    • hmmm says:

      It’s the size of the civil service. It expanded beyond the needs for the country under the PLP. They couldn’t afford to keep it and had to borrow. The furlogh days helped a little and helped stave off unemployment.

      I don’t think it’s OBA or PLP. the Civil service is too big and keeping this country laden down in Debt.

    • Purple Koolaid says:

      @Just a Matter of Time, just so you know, people don’t have a problem with most Civil Servants, just the ones that are NOT Civil and will NOT Serve us when we walk into certain government offices.

      Most of us that pay taxes and therefore pay for government workers wages, have a real problem when we see the rate of progress (or lack of it) on certain W&E road projects like the one at Blackwatch Pass? It started after the hurricane! I have a co-worker that has built their house in the same amount of time! Do you think we are getting our monies worth? Sadly the same is seen on just about every W&E project. Are you content and feel that we got our monies worth for the road resurfacing on South Road in Devonshire? Been to Botanical Park lately? You can’t even call it gardens anymore, and not because of the hurricane either.Are you happy at the way our Bus Drivers treat the public and tourists? They strike on average 3 times a year because Mr. BIU says so.

      There are many hard working employees within government that deserve twice what they get paid. But sadly there are many, many,many more that take advantage of their positions and jobs. Those individuals we should all have a problem with! If you don’t , I don’t know what to say.

      All we the public (PLP or OBA) should ask for is a fair days work for a fair days pay. Are we getting that! I don’t think so.

  9. kangoocar says:

    A very sad day for the eight workers made redundant today, but welcome to reality folks and in particular the unions!!!! If anyone did not see this coming, they were living in LA LA land!!! For any business in this economic climate too be successful, they have to watch and cut their costs!!! If the unions continue to mislead their members about that fact, then there will be much more of this in the future, the unions need to wise up or their own demise is surely coming!!!!

    • hmmm says:

      iFM will be able to hire or keep employees.

      I can’t say whether the service or cost will be better with iFM, but there will be legal recourse if something isn’t done right.

      Perhaps some of these guys being made redundant can get a job at iFM? If they know the site, then that puts them at an advantage.

    • JUNK YARD DOG says:

      60 years ago in jolly old England the unions brought the country to its knees .

      Is that what you want ? Because it sure looks like it.

      I can take you back to the day that the B.I.U. was formed the intent was to give all parties a seat at the bargaining table.

  10. Terry says:

    Money.
    8 employees.
    Salary plus benefits et al.
    iFM.
    Call the man. They send someone out to fix at flat rate contract.

    Privitisation is a beitch.

    I need a rum ann ah reefer………………

  11. jonah says:

    See what coming Kango?.

    Blaming their mismanagement / cutting cost on the Union is deflection.

  12. Funny .... says:

    Funny but the maintenance work doesn’t go away. Whether it’s done by Reef employees or an outside firm it still has to be done. So all that’s going to happen here is that someone else will end up doing the work. Just employees of some other company.

  13. Oh,I see now says:

    Franklin Jr
    Just say what’s really in your heart or are you afraid of being ostracized or put in your place.

  14. Concerned Citizen says:

    Dodwell is a director of the Acendent Group, which possibly means he is a shareholder. The iFM firm is owned by Acendent group(stand to be corrected)? Sooooo, at the expense of his staff, Dodwell has outsourced the cost of maintainence and in turn, stands to directly benefit in the form of dividends. Turning a cost into revenue indirectly is savvy business, but I feel for the 8 unemployed.

  15. Coffee says:

    Time to revisit all concessions and tax breaks given by the government to every hotel after this slap in the face by the Reefs .

    • Creamy says:

      Time to revisit those cushy overpaid government jobs as well. Currently wevneed three people to do one job, with the time they get off.

  16. San George says:

    The Reefs is struggling, Tucker’s Point is in foreclosure, Hamilton Princess is B*tching about profits and the Minister of Transport is telling the Bermudian public that a new hotel is getting ready to be built in St. George.
    Let’s be honest.

  17. Charlly X says:

    The tale of two Bermuda’s !! Smh black/ white / Portuguese / rich / poor/ all on 21square miles ! If you don’t support one party you are labeled with some derogatory term ! There’s only one airport ! One hospital ! One dock ! One jail ! One heaven ! One Hell !

  18. Just a matter of time says:

    @kangoocar. Your insulting comments are predictable as always. Constantly using sweeping comments such as the PLP and their supporters, the Union and indeed civil servants being unintelligent, don’t have a clue, practice voodoo economics (“voodoo?” really? hmmmm..)etc, etc. You have this constant obsession of attacking the intellect of a group who mostly happens to be of a certain hue. Need I remind you that many of those persons you described were once PLP supporters and sat on the fence last election day. Thousands of them. Many also read the constant venom on these blogs. And I know many of them regret not voting or are regretting voting for this Govt. You will be disappointed to know that the very people you describe with your hateful rhetoric understand the debt, deficits and this economic situation more than you think they do and one of the biggest mistakes to make is to underestimate them. Never underestimate. You suggest I take an economics course. I suggest you take a history course. Several in fact.

    • Kangoocar says:

      Me take a history course?? I think the 14 yr reign of terror by your plp is all the history myself and anyone that can think for themselves is all that is needed??? How much pain is it really going to take for you and those that think like you to feel before you really understand the magnitude of our problem and who exactly inflicted it on us??? You really need to wise up!!! I actually don’t care for my well being, I made my money and can legally move to the US, Canada or the anywhere in Europe at a moments notice!!! I being Bermudian, just happen to care for those that are less fortunate and can’t go anywhere!!!! do you get it yet??? Your threats on the plp regaining power, don’t actually concern me, but it sure as heck should concern all those that are less fortunate!!! FYI, I started with absolutely nothing and NOBODY ( banks included ) helped me, but I made it anyway through hard work and sacrifice!!!

      • BetttyTrump says:

        Kangaroocar. ..but your OBAUBP promised me JOBS JOBS JOBS…..BUT MANY ARE INSTEAD JOBLESS……OOOOH ……WHERE ARE THE JOBS JOBS JOBS. …..WAS I LIED TO BY THE OBA. …DID THEY STEAL MY VOTE……I HAD GREAT HOPE BUT NOW…….ALL HAS FALLEN…

        • Yardie says:

          @Betty Trump, if you don’t have a job, well maybe, just maybe you need to look within. Maybe the problem is you and your negative attitude!Why do you feel you are owed a job? Why do you think you are owed anything in life?! You must be good at something, so turn your skills into a business and create your own job! If that doesn’t work , try something else.

          Why not spend less time blogging and being negative and take a course at the Bermuda College, a Community Centre or online. Improve yourself and get your skills polished and show your next employer that you have been doing something productive with your time.

          By the way, not one person here believes for a second that you ever voted for the OBA so save the BS.

        • ohno says:

          Firstly you talk like an absolute idiot.
          Secondly; politicians alwasy lie…and its idiots like you that get pulled along
          thirdly- it was your PLP that LOST $300 million…how do you lose $300 million
          fourthly- nobody wants to emply you people get used to it

        • serengetiperson says:

          When management makes changes to save costs, it is to PROTECT jobs. That’s what too many idiots don’t understand, Betty.

          When management doesn’t do this type of thing, and a business shrinks and goes bankrupt, it’s the management that is criticized. It’s the management’s job to make sure the business is run efficiently.

          Of course, that is lost on the public employees, who expect guaranteed employment, 14 weeks sick leave, 7 weeks vacation and gold-plated pensions. Paid for, of course, by other people.

          • Russ says:

            serengetiperson – Are the numbers you quote for sick time, vacation et cetera actual benefits?

        • Anbu says:

          And how will the plp provide/ create jobs betty?! Lets have it ill wait. Wont hold my breath tho. All this ish about we were lied to and the oba cant create jobs. How the hell would your party magically create them? U have not once in the 2 plus years of spouting your drivel said anything on how your party would pull us out of this mess. Oh thats right we r supposed to leave the shortcomings of your party in the past because thats what it is right? Ha! The height of hypocrisy. Heres a newsflash for u betty(s) we will not recover from the mess that im not supposed to talk about that happened prior to 2012.

    • Hurricane says:

      Hopefully you will lean like I have to ignore ALL postings by Kangoocar.

      • Kangoocar says:

        That’s only because the TRUTH stings you real bad, and you never have an answer to challenge me with???

        • Mockingjay says:

          Haven’t heard you comment on Jet Gate, Casino Gate, License Plate Gate, Secret Taping Gate, Suspended Contract Gate (Harbor Front), Voting Election Gate $350,000 or is that all a waste of F!@#ING TIME too.
          Make sure the mic is off mate.

  19. more than enough says:

    d dodwell has no shame, just another rich guy, basking in his pools of money…the reefs has been voted best hotel in the entire caribbean[why i could not tell you] and i doubt occupancy levels have been below 70% in at least 10 years, which should disqualify the reefs from receiving any concessions…

    ask the maintenance guys that are being let go. they must have been talkin’ to the union too. like i said no shame…
    and let’s not forget that he is receiving from gov. yearly as well, for his role in the bta. wtf?

  20. more than enough says:

    furthermore the reefs is a conglomerate of businesses under one roof, ie three restaurants, the hotel, the spa, and the club[residential units]. you ever drive past on a sunday? nuff said.

  21. Tony Brannon says:

    If Bermuda does NOT really make some bold moves to change things up, The America’s Cup will not save us…
    Trying to stay afloat in Bermuda is a challenge!

    Posted earlier today on my facebook page…
    America’s Cup is an amazing coup for Bermuda. But that will not be enough to rebuild Bermuda above and beyond 2017. Bermuda has dilly dallied for so long, we must really pull some rabbits out of the hat, in spite of all the lurking crabs waiting to pull good things down. Policy changes need to happen ASAP: RENTAL CARS for hotel visitors, Open up Bermuda real estate to every single Bermudian to participate in an open market (There will not be a flood of Bermy’s selling to leave – that’s what all the naysayers will say) Allow same sex couples to marry in Bermuda (huge tourism $$$$), Legalizing cannabis for personal use and/or at designated coffee shops similar to Amsterdam, Create Beach Bar locations to put the buzz back in tourism, designate Bermuda a TAX FREE ZONE for the ARTS and welcome visiting artists/musicians to create, write and sell from Bermuda either physically or ONLINE. Get at least 2 casinos open and operating in Bermuda within 12 months: Hamilton Princess & Fairmont Southampton. Build a vibrant sports Tourism business and create a winter training hub at the national stadium for international sports teams – add athlete dorms to the facility. Create more events between October & March. PROMOTE diving – Bermuda has the best wreck diving in the world and the BTA need to promote Bermuda Diving much more……

    • somuchless says:

      To begin with, they need to hire people who actually know about the tourism industry.

    • Raymond Ray says:

      Yes Tony, that all sounds well but,what chances of it coming to fruition? That my friend is the 2 plus x billion dollar question :-(

    • JUNK YARD DOG says:

      Brannon ! Are you turning the place into a devils paradise ?

  22. Never Never says:

    @Kangoocar please hurry up and get your assets out of here I’m so tired of reading about how you can leave. Leave already and yes a history class is needed but I really don’t think it would open up your closed mind A@@hole bye bye

    • Kangoocar says:

      @never never, the next time I need your opinion on which way I should head in my life, I will be sure to give it to you!! But in the mean time please accept my heartfelt thank you, for showing you care!!!

  23. tom cooke says:

    So last week I did 6 hrs. .. this week I will do hopfully 15hrs…my wife is in the hospital that I had I a small hand in building. But that as sure as s××× don’t pay the bills. I am a 50 + somthing construction manager…. lucky I have a trade to fall back on… one I did for 20 yrs. .. times are tough… time to suck it up…

  24. Never Never says:

    Lol hahahahaha whatever Kangoocar life has been good to you don’t be so bitter leave as you have promised Bermuda will survive without you bye bye

    • Kangoocar says:

      I am glad you had a laugh because that was the way I intended it, but please understand that life wasnt good to me until I MADE it good for me, I started flat broke and made it though a lot of hard work and sacrifice!!!! PS, anyone could have done what I did if they actualkly just tried???

  25. chip says:

    So many of you on here are incuse to the o.b.a and I am recuse ? Let me take u to school were talking about jobs being lost? Hello could be you next week? Dreamer’s they make the world turn!

  26. Steve Davis says:

    Business decision is made, people lose jobs. Sad but an everyday occurrence in the world, in any country in any economic climate.

    Businesses focus on revenues and bottom line, which means they will make decisions to outsource or downsize when they feel it will make the business healthier. Let’s get something straight here and this is where in particular people have a problem drawing the line between why employers employ and why they don’t. A job is not a God given right, it is not something that is created out of thin air, their is an economic or social reason for it to exist but above all there has to be money to pay a salary. It is not a political issue, it is a business one. So all this political tit for tat really means nothing.

    There has to be a mentality change from those within the Bermudian workforce that believe a job should just exist. This thinking has been fostered by an over employed and overpaid civil service and it’s dependents. There is no real understanding of money and where it comes from in relation to a paycheck.

    What we hear from the Union and PLP members is questions regarding the salaries of CEO’s of private organizations and within certain areas of government. If you bothered in your life to educate yourself, succeed, make the right decisions, use emotional intelligence, work hard and have ambition then maybe you yourself can command a salary equal to that. But if you are unhappy with your lot only you can change that, not the Government not your employer and not anyone else but yourself.

  27. watcher55 says:

    Bad move, I doubt if this was a business decision but probably more of a friends and family one, BNTB did the same when they fired all their maintenance people then hired a sub (SERCO) who ended up costing far in excess of the employees would have cost, they then got the boot, then IFM comes in (owned by belco) and took the bank contract from them, why would employers fire staff then pay someone to re hire the same staff and charge them a huge multiplier, especially IFM who are very very lacking in the skills department,

  28. MAKE MY DAY says:

    If this overpaid *Tourism Board* does NOT get “heads-in-beds” very soon – then I’m afraid there are going to be further layoffs and redundancies!!! No visitors means NO cash for the private sector or the Gov’t!!

    • Rockfish#1t says:

      It is highly unlikely that the BTA will be able to function without taxpayer funds.
      At some point in time, the Government of the day will be forced to make cuts there also. Especially at the top of the pyramid. Far too many unnecessary people there.

  29. obasellouts says:

    oba

    selling out Bermuda one day at a time.

    Good thing they managed to give contracts to their friends and families.

    They wont get another chance for a long long time.

    lol

  30. Once Me... says:

    So sad, I used to work for the Reefs and there are several other jobs made redundant last year too. Its a running trend at that hotel and management are making poor decisions with employees. I just hope iFM can provide them jobs since they know the ins and outs of the hotel. To those men, I wish you the best of luck.

  31. Just a matter of time says:

    @kangoocar: Your arrogance goes above and beyond with your ‘lovely’ take my marbles and leave mentality. You have revealed quite a lot about yourself with that statement alone. And as Never Never said, a history lesson will definitely be lost on you with your marbles mentality. Who is doing the threatening now? Take your money you have boasted about and flee.

    • Kangoocar says:

      Funny thing ” just a matter of time ” you and all those that don’t agree with me ( the usual plp camp ) have never ONCE had anything in their war chest to come back at me with, other than insults??? Says just about all I need to know??? How about actually educating yourself about economics instead of saying garbage things such as ” I should take my marbles and leave?? ” You guys will never understand the full ramifications of what you say until it happens!!! Good luck, because there is only so many wild chickens running around this island and once they are gone, ” I say about 2 weeks ” you all will starve to death!!!

  32. mixitup says:

    The reefs have taken a step in the wrong direction. The reason they are considered the best in the region is because of these very people. A contracted maintenance person does not have the dedication an actual employee of 10 + years would. It was these very people that lifted the reefs to the prestige it has today. The reefs will learn the hard way.

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Sorry but plumbing, electrical maintenance & maintaining the air conditioning is not exactly frontline tourism work.

      And yes, a contracted person does have the dedication for the job. He knows that if he does not do the job satisfactorily there is a good chance of getting fired. The rest of the hotel staff is not going to walk out on a wildcat strike to support his incompetence.

      Quality control of workdone is not even the responsibilty of the hotel management. If the maintenance company does not do its job satisfactoraly it gets fired & another one get hired.

      • mixitup says:

        Neither is the order taker for room service. But they all are a critical component to the success of the property. They must buy into the culture of the resort no matter if you clip the hedges. Contractors are never that cued in.

        • Triangle Drifter says:

          Wrong again. The order taker for room service is a front line job. This person interacts one on one with the guests daily. Maintainence people do not.

          • Hurricane says:

            @Triangle Drifter, there isn’t a day that goes by where most of the maintenance staff do not interact with right in the rooms with guest.

  33. Just a matter of time says:

    Some of the ideas Tony B stated are interesting. Maybe some system can be put into place where only A class sized cars (or smaller) can be rented but (stay with me….) at the expense of rotating or car pooling larger sized cars commuting into Hamilton week days during the tourist season. That way the roads may be clearer. Only during the season. A sacrifice to help stimulate tourism. Hard to get Bdians away from their cars though. Smile. I also like making the island into a haven for artists. Surely we can be be creative. This is precisely why we need a nationwide think tank on RAGE (Revenue And Growth Enterprises) or something like that. Why does this Govt refuse to do this? Make it nationwide and everyone get on board. Get the schools involved. Set up a Commission. Offer prize money. It doesn’t have to be individual ideas that people want to protect and guard but moreso on a macroeconomic scale as part of the criteria. No idea submitted will be a bad idea and all ideas are encouraged. Get our overseas students and young people involved so that they can come back home. Where is the vision? Where is the strategy? The AC is not going to provide all of the answers!

    • PBanks says:

      Rental cars indeed may have to become a reality to boost the tourism product, but boy it’s going to have to be planned and designed correctly. I don’t think that forced-carpooling is a realistic option right now, mind you. But worth a thought, perhaps.

  34. Just a matter of time says:

    By the way I have an F class car myself but I would be willing to make that sacrifice. That way the public system, taxis, mini buses etc will be fully utilized and more revenue can be generated. Set up certain fares for persons who sacrifice their car. These are just off the top ideas thst can be spun any which way. But we need to start focusing on more revenue generating and I believe it can be done. Not take the easy way out and pound the civil service.

  35. JUNK YARD DOG says:

    HE WHO HOLDS THE GOLD.
    If you read the editorial you will see that the in house maintenance work is being out sourced, there has to be a 101 reasons for this course of action .Go figure !

  36. Just a matter of time says:

    If the BTA were smart, they could spearhead some type of RAGE from the hospitality side and utilize home grown talent and ideas instead of outsourcing. Offer lots of prize monies from that big fat budget of theirs to encourage full participation. And that’s free advice, no six figures required.

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      What does this have to do with the BTA? Do you expect the BTA to get into the managing of hotels now? The BTA does not own any propertys. Managing hotels is none of BTA’s business.

      Try to keep up.

  37. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    i wonder if…ok, take the existing maintenance crew, let them create a business with the helping hand of oba to speedily approve their corporation…at least those guys would go from maintenance men to business owners then they can just continue working just as the other co. would…or is there a different reason for all of this..??

  38. Just a matter of time says:

    @TD. Reread what I said before you anxiously spill the venom. I meant for the BTA to possibly COORDINATE a RAGE from the hospitality side to gather ideas from the public on improving the tourist industry. Last I checked this is their business no? Trying to improve the industry?? I did not once state that they should manage hotels. Your hatred zeal has seriously blinded you from even reading properly.