St. Martin News Network

Philipsburg:--- President of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour Theophillus Thompson has extended an open invitation to the owners of Hard Rock International to sit around the table in the interest of workers on St. Maarten. Thompson said WIFOL has always been ready and willing to talk to SBRMC but they prefer the ongoing legal battle. Thompson said the union would like to speak with the new investors about their venture into St. Maarten and should they become the new owners, the union is ready and willing to work along with them in the interest of country St. Maarten and the improvement of the Pelican Resort. Thompson said the WIFOL is open and ready for talks for the sake of viability, job security, and sustainability of the workers. Thompson further explained that he also sent a letter to the government mediator Derrick Holiday requesting that he get SBRMC and the WIFOL around the table to further discuss the workers' rights.
WIFOL President Theophillus Thompson told reporters at Thursday's press briefing that he also dispatched a second letter to the Minister of Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers requesting a meeting to discuss government's policy when granting business licenses. Thompson said that he sent the first letter to Minister Meyers requesting a meeting when he heard that Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (Royal Resorts- Quantum Investments) was negotiating the sale of the real estate with Hard Rock International.
Thompson said that the Minister of Economic Affairs did not respond to his first letter but he dispatched a second letter when he read in the media that Hard Rock International met with the Council of Ministers on Tuesday to apprise them on the negotiations. Thompson said when the WIFOL heard that Hard Rock was negotiating with SBRMC he personally spoke to the Minister of Economic Affairs expressing the unions concerns. He said the union wants know what type of concessions government would be giving the investors.