Phuketwan News Update
LAGUNA Phuket resorts have sacked eight union leaders and applied to the courts to lay off 49 more staff who are union committee members, the Governor, Wichai Praisa-Ngob, was told yesterday.
He met a delegation of about 30 people at Provincial Hall in Phuket City to hear the union viewpoint on a dispute that began with a blockade of the resorts in February over pay and bonuses.
Still in his early days in office, Governor Wichai said he had not previously been aware of the dispute and would attempt to discuss it with management at Laguna Phuket.
The eight union leaders were sacked without warning on March 1, the governor was told.
Laguna Phuket did not tell the union officials that their services were about to be terminated, nor did the resort group offer any compensation, he was told.
Kasem Keawsawus, a union committee member, said that the eight union leaders planned to seek reinstatement through the courts.
The first date for the case involving the 49 Laguna union committee members had been set for April 28, the governor was told.
All 49 have been suspended, but are still being paid pending a decision by the courts.
The governor said he he could not intervene in court actions but he would invite Laguna management to meet and talk in the hope of finding a resolution.
Khun Kasem said that in the past, Laguna had sent a vice president to meet with the governor's predecessor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, rather than more senior managers.
The eight sacked union leaders were named as Tra-karn Khumban, Srawoot No-rat, Saroj Sea-ko, Chainarong Jun Dee Viene, Oat Romin, Mana Phongthanaphanich, Natthawut Ritthito and Sirichai Khootkaew.
The dispute began with a union-led blockade of Laguna Phuket's six resorts in early February after staff were given a two-week pay bonus for 2008 and no pay rises for 2009.
Staff anticipated receiving a four-week bonus, plus a four percent pay rise. Laguna Phuket management had demonstrated its concern about the economic downturn by reducing expansion plans.
Part of the rationale for the bonus-pay reduction, the Laguna Phuket management said, was an attempt to preserve jobs in an unpredictable financial climate for tourism in 2009.
He met a delegation of about 30 people at Provincial Hall in Phuket City to hear the union viewpoint on a dispute that began with a blockade of the resorts in February over pay and bonuses.
Still in his early days in office, Governor Wichai said he had not previously been aware of the dispute and would attempt to discuss it with management at Laguna Phuket.
The eight union leaders were sacked without warning on March 1, the governor was told.
Laguna Phuket did not tell the union officials that their services were about to be terminated, nor did the resort group offer any compensation, he was told.
Kasem Keawsawus, a union committee member, said that the eight union leaders planned to seek reinstatement through the courts.
The first date for the case involving the 49 Laguna union committee members had been set for April 28, the governor was told.
All 49 have been suspended, but are still being paid pending a decision by the courts.
The governor said he he could not intervene in court actions but he would invite Laguna management to meet and talk in the hope of finding a resolution.
Khun Kasem said that in the past, Laguna had sent a vice president to meet with the governor's predecessor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, rather than more senior managers.
The eight sacked union leaders were named as Tra-karn Khumban, Srawoot No-rat, Saroj Sea-ko, Chainarong Jun Dee Viene, Oat Romin, Mana Phongthanaphanich, Natthawut Ritthito and Sirichai Khootkaew.
The dispute began with a union-led blockade of Laguna Phuket's six resorts in early February after staff were given a two-week pay bonus for 2008 and no pay rises for 2009.
Staff anticipated receiving a four-week bonus, plus a four percent pay rise. Laguna Phuket management had demonstrated its concern about the economic downturn by reducing expansion plans.
Part of the rationale for the bonus-pay reduction, the Laguna Phuket management said, was an attempt to preserve jobs in an unpredictable financial climate for tourism in 2009.
Kicking out Union leaders is only things you do in countries run by dictators !
I know most of the guests they have out there comes from countries where unions are a base in there human rights !
If Laguna not can negotiate there way through, then they should sell out and put there money in the bank !!
Shame of you !
Posted by Peter on March 31, 2009 19:06