By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

genea@nasguard.com

Several employees at Isle of Capri are expressing their dissatisfaction with the terms of their proposed severance packages and continued employment with Treasure Bay, the new owners who will take over the financially troubled casino come November 1.

Speaking to The Freeport News under the condition of anonymity, the employees said that many of the 200-plus workers are still uncertain and perplexed about the entire situation.

After a recent meeting with Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, State Minister for Finance Zhivargo Laing, Gaming Board officials, management of the Isle of Capri Casino and Hutchison Whampoa, the employees say many questions were left unanswered and believe that their concerns have been overlooked.

During that meeting it was revealed to employees that they would have the option of collecting their severance packages, severing all ties with the company, or collect their severance packages and re-apply for hire to negotiate their respective terms of employment. Today is the set deadline for that decision to be made.

However, the group of employees said they have asked the government that should they take the severance packages now, could the new operators opt to rehire them, as was done for former Lucayan Beach Casino workers. They noted that those workers were given a lump sum payment.

"There is no guarantee that we will be rehired. Why can't can we have the option of getting our packages and start new with the company," one employee said. 'When we asked they said no, it was either or and we don't understand why."

Another employee said that if they choose to continue their employment with the new operators and for various reasons they decide to terminate or down-size, who will be responsible for the payment of severance packages owed by the Isle of Capri Casino.

"So many things that they have left unanswered and no one can give us any clear or definite answers."

The employees also questioned when the severance packages will be paid and will it be one payment or in instalments.

"We forwarded our concerns via e-mail to the Minister so that we could make an informed decision because at this time we still don't know."

Most importantly, the em-ployees said that they want to know if the new operators plan to continue to operate on a minimum work schedule or a reduced work week as many employees are not even working 16 hours a week.

"We voiced this to the Minister at the meeting and tried to get in contact with him, but to no avail. It is important for us to get the packages because certain departments are working two days...things have been this way for three years and a lot of workers have their homes on the line, kids to feed and bills to pay."

The employees also shared that morale is low in the casino and employees are fearful to make a decision on whether to accept or deny a severance package at this time.

Attempts by The Freeport News to reach Vanderpool-Wallace and Treasure Bay representatives for comment were unsuccessful.

Back in March, the current operators of the casino had announced that they would not be renewing their lease which ended on May 31. Since then, the government had worked out an agreement with them to stay on until a new operator was found.

Last month, the Tourism Minister announced that Treasure Bay Casino and Resorts Inc. had been selected as a replacement operator for the Isle of Capri Casino.

In a press release, Vander-pool-Wallace noted that the Isle of Capri and Treasure Bay had worked closely with representatives of The Government and Hutchison Lucaya Ltd. on arrangements which would ensure the continued operation of the Our Lucaya Casino, which is a vital economic component of the Grand Bahama tourism product.

The Tourism Minister said that he was pleased Treasure Bay had agreed to continue the employment of the existing staff and to work towards a smooth transition.

Susan Varnes, chief operating officer of Treasure Bay LLC noted that the company's selection as operator offers a new opportunity for strategic growth in resort markets.

"For quite some time, we have considered expansion into the Caribbean, and this casino offers the right operational fit with our portfolio, which includes properties located in Biloxi, Miss. and on the islands of St. Croix, Aruba and Bonaire," she said.

As longtime developers and operators of Caribbean gaming properties, Varnes added that Treasure Bay intends to apply its experience to achieve strong fiscal results, as it has accomplished in similar jurisdictions.

Treasure Bay Gaming and Resorts Inc. is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi and owns and operates Treasure Bay Casino and Hotel in Biloxi and Divi Carina Bay Casino on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The company also manages the Alhambra Ca-sino in Aruba and the Fla-mingo Casino in Bonaire.