Up to 150 workers building the $100 million Tucker’s Point Hotel and Spa downed tools yesterday for six hours.

One of their key demands is a ballot on the right to unionise the construction workers of the Somer’s Construction Company. There are also concerns over contractors and sub-contractors taking illegal deductions from employees’ paycheques, threatening foreign workers with deportation if they unionised and lack of health insurance.

The work stoppage by 100 to 150 workers from Somer’s Construction started at 6 a.m. yesterday.

The picketing ended just before 12 p.m.

Last night union leaders called on Government to change employer legislation to crack down on companies failing to comply.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert said last June the company was served with the letter of recognition.

Although the company does not want employees to unionise, it has not put the issue to a ballot.

Under Bermuda’s labour laws, a company is required to hold the ballot after 14 days or face arbitration.

Despite repeated attempts, The Royal Gazette was unable to obtain a comment from vice-president of Somer’s Construction, Mark Butt. Ross White, vice-president of the BIU Construction Division, hoped the work stoppage would highlight the concerns.

Mr. White said: “Once the complaints go in front of Labour Relations the length of time for the complaint to be heard is too long. They are not dealt with in a timely manner.

“We were pointing out with the work shut-down we were trying to bring to light these employers are violating the law without recourse.”

Mr. Furbert added: “Labour legislation is there to protect the employer and the employee. The challenge now is to have the employers follow the law of the land.

“Penalties need to be added because right now it is just a slap on the wrist for violations of the law. I would hope this would encourage other companies to sit down with employees to address any concerns they have. Yesterday was about ‘enough is enough’. It is time to give employees what is rightful and just.

“They can take the high road or the low road. I hope they take the high road.”

Minister of Labour and Immigration, Derrick Burgess issued a statement saying: “The Labour Relations Office has been apprised of the dispute and is assisting with mediation.”

Workers down their tools