MOON PALACE: Things were tense at the gate of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande hotel Tuesday afternoon last week when this picture was taken, shortly after workers walked off the job. Instability continued through to Thursday with workers complaining about bad treatment, uncertainty about when they should get paid and some sub-contractors saying they didn’t even know who to talk to. The hotel, the former Sunset Jamaica Grande has become one of St Ann’s biggest work sites, following its purchase by Mexican chain Moon Palace that has been carrying out extensive refurbishing including the addition of common areas and rooms. Following weeks of simmering discontent and complaints by workers on the site, hundreds walked off the job last Tuesday, mainly over lack of information about pay. They saidthey had been getting promises from the main contractor who was not getting paid in a timely manner by the Mexican chain. There was further discontent over new security arrangements and even a change of the gate for entry, (from the one shown here on Main Street), when the hotel asked some staff to report at the James Avenue gate. However that proved contentious for businesses on James Avenue and police had to clear vendors from the new entry. By Thursday, after meetings, things settled and Friday all was normal again at the site. Some subcontractors, however said they have still not been paid since December.
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