A row is brewing at a rest home concerning holiday pay, according to a staff member who wishes to remain anonymous.

The staff member described the newly-renovated Matilda Smith Williams Rest Home as "beautiful'' and claimed that staff looked forward to working at the home, but such goodwill had soured when told of the pay cuts.

"This place is beautiful it made you feel like you want to go to work,'' the worker who asked not to be identified said, "but with this, staff don't want to be here.'' She said many of the staff had to work on the November 11 Remembrance Day holiday and had received the pay at the next pay day. However, they were told that the home will deduct the double-time pay this week, and that it had been given in error.

Administrator Lynn Henry yesterday countered that a pay discrepancy had been brought to the attention of the home's Board of Directors.

While taking great pains to explain that she was not taking sides, Mrs. Henry described it as an, "honest discrepancy'' and would not discuss its nature.

She also explained that word will come down from the board in writing before the next pay day on January 15. The anonymous staff member described Mrs.

Henry as "a beautiful person''. She said: "(Board member) Mrs. (Lovette) Brangman has told her (Mrs. Henry) she should tell the staff about the pay cuts, but she refused.'' While staff at the home are not unionised, they have contacted the Bermuda Industrial Union about the dispute.

But BIU president Derrick Burgess said he did not want to comment until he had spoken to an organiser in that division.

Mrs. Brangman could not be reached yesterday, but the staff member said that she had not backed down from her position.

"She said it goes above her. It's a board decision,'' the staff member said.

UNIONS UNS