By VIRAJ PERPALL, Guardian Staff Reporter

viraj@nasguard.com

Showing dissatisfied casino workers that they are willing to cooperate fully on terms of negotiations, management of Baha Mar met with casino staff yesterday in hopes of making a fresh new start.

After it was rumored last week that a Super Bowl strike was planned and after a sick out took place this past Sunday, executive management took the initiative to let employees of the casino at Baha Mar air their problems with the company in a peaceful manner.

"The casino executive team met with employees of the casino and they voiced their concerns. To some extent we were slightly disappointed in the size of the turn out due to the amount of the persons in that department," Robert Sands, vice president of government and external affairs for Baha Mar said.

He said that he and his colleagues are set on trying to do what is best for the company and for the employees that work with Baha Mar.

"I think that there are some resounding issues that came out based on our discussions today. One of them is certainly scheduling and this has always been an issue."

He added that workers were also concerned about the rates of pay and how that has been established over the past few years.

"We are committed to review that and to raising their standards through training," Mr. Sands added.

He also said that a third issue that came about was the methodology for changing shifts.

"We think it was a healthy discussion," he added.

He added that three senior persons from Harrah's have taken on pivotal roles in the casino recently and mentioned that the most up to date casino equipment and devices will be brought in for the resort in short order.

Mr. Sands said that the unfortunate thing is that oftentimes there is much progress occurring but due to the distractions which do not affect everyone in the establishment, it can be overlooked.

The staff meeting comes just a week after casino staff threatened to carry out a strike on Super Bowl Sunday past to voice their dissatisfaction with working conditions. In a letter sent to the Guardian Mr. Sands urged the employees to rethink this action as he hinted it would have severe ramifications for the casino workers who are not yet unionized.

However many casino workers indirectly took action against the management on Sunday with Mr. Sands confirming that the hotel was seriously considering punishing the more than 25 employees, who phoned in sick in a bid to force management's hands at addressing their concerns.

However, despite their actions, the senior executive said the hotel was able to operate at full steam. When The Guardian visited the casino on Sunday, the gaming tables were in full swing and there was no hint from the workers that relations between employees and management were at breaking point.