BITU official blames hotel strikes on lack of worker representation
Published:Wednesday | February 26, 2025 | 12:06 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Collin Virgo, Assistant General Secretary of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), says the wave of strike actions by hotel workers in late 2024 was an inevitable response to the lack of proper representation for the workforce.
Last year, workers from five prominent hotels in western Jamaica staged consecutive protests, citing poor working conditions, unresponsive management, and low wages. The unrest sent shockwaves through the tourism sector on the cusp of the critical winter tourist season.
“It’s just plain common sense. I didn’t need an MBA to understand that it’s easier for a business to negotiate with a few representatives than to manage negotiations with hundreds of workers,” Virgo said, addressing the challenges hotels faced during the strikes.
He made these remarks during a media interview following his address at a civic ceremony in Blenheim, Hanover, celebrating the 141st birthday of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, the BITU’s founder and Jamaica’s first prime minister.
Virgo, a longtime critic of contract work practices in the tourism sector, argued that the strikes were driven by workers being denied basic rights that trade union representation would secure.
“In fact, most of the hotels hit by the industrial action were ones where we [the BITU] had previously attempted to unionise,” he revealed.
“Unfortunately, some managers threatened workers, telling them their contracts would be terminated or not renewed if they joined the union.”
According to Virgo, embracing union representation could have spared hotels the embarrassment and disruption caused by the protests.
“It was only a matter of time. Any oppressed group will rise up eventually,” he said. “The hotels wouldn’t have faced this situation if they had allowed the collective bargaining process to work.”
Virgo criticised the prolonged use of contract work, questioning why employees remained on contracts for five, ten, or even 20 years.
“It’s cruel, selfish, and unfair. Workers need permanent status to access benefits, stability, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re a permanent employee,” he added.
He emphasised that “peace of mind” is one of the most valuable gifts to an individual, with permanent tenure providing that comfort.
While acknowledging that Jamaica already has legislation addressing contract work abuses, Virgo stressed the need for enforcement rather than new laws.
“For the past three decades, private sector companies have been abusing contract work. It’s a new form of union-busting,” he argued. “The recent strikes have shown that using contract work to oppress workers will no longer work.”
Virgo also noted that other Caribbean countries have stricter laws governing contract work and urged Jamaican hotels and employers to comply with the country’s laws, allowing workers to join a trade union of their choice.