By Yasmin Popescu

yasmin@nasguard.com

City Markets once boasted of three food stores in Grand Bahama, but today they have just one.

And in this one, they seem to have a number of problems, however management has taken a vow of silence, referring all queries to Nassau.

Two employees approached The Freeport News recently about their situation. It was noted that when the Downtown Freeport store closed all the employees from there were sent to the Lucaya Store. Then the store in Eight Mile Rock closed and those employees were also sent to the Lucaya store in Seahorse Plaza. When the Lucaya store was closed the store in Eight mile Rock was reopened and all the staff were sent to that store.

Speaking with one manager who refused to give his name, he said that they did not want to lay off anyone and they had to make some changes to keep everyone.

The compromise, according to the employees was that they were given 20 hours per week to work. Also that they would not be paid until three weeks after they have worked.

The unidentified manager confirmed that the employees were on 20 hour work weeks, but said that the rest of the complaints and rumours were "just lies."

The employees have been to the labour board about the matter, but are still without any answers.

They also complained that even though they were promised to get paid at a specific time, sometimes the payment does not come at the time specified and they find themselves challenged to meet their obligations.

The employees said that it has been emotionally tough because the employees from the various stores have been moved around so much.

Others said they were looking for other jobs to supplement the one they have, but when they would make schedules for other jobs, they would find themselves unable to attend because of being scheduled to work on the same date by their present job.

Why not leave a company that has been turning them around?

One employee noted that some of them have been with City Markets for over 30 years and are nearing retirement. They say they have stayed through loyalty to this company.

They have also worried about their National Insurance and have said they have lost their pension.

The company they said have told other persons who left that they cannot continue to afford the pension payments to those pensionable.

The Freeport News called City Markets' office to speak with one of the owners, but was told that at the time Niki Boauf and Ray Finlayson, owners, were in a meeting, but would return the call.

After days of waiting for this returned call The Freeport News called again and was told that Finlayson was on two weeks vacation and Boauf was unable to comment.

Given Finlayson's Assistant's number she was also called and she too confirmed that Finlayson was on vacation and that there is no comment to be made until he gets back.