Unionised bartenders employed by Fairmont Hamilton Princess have vowed not to pick up the slack created by the job terminations of three young Bermudian bar porters and two in-room dining captains.

A total of ten employees, including five Bermuda Industrial Union members, were made redundant and told their jobs no longer exist on Friday.

BIU president Chris Furbert sounded a clear warning yesterday that no bartender will do the work performed by bar porters, particularly in the lead up to Superbowl Sunday.

Flanked by the five employees who lost their jobs, the union leader said the decision was made with “no consultation or discussion with the BIU” as set out in their collective bargaining agreement.

He was contacted by the hotel’s general manager Len Czarnecki last Wednesday and informed that the redundancies would go into effect on January 24. It was also announced yesterday that Mr Czarnecki will be transferred to another Fairmont property as of February 7.

“I was a bit perturbed, irritated to say the least,” said Mr Furbert said of the redundancies. “People’s lives were put in an unstable condition last week Friday because they were told that their jobs no longer exist.

“How do you do this sort of thing in 2014 knowing full well that you want some people to pick up additional responsibilities and not even have a conversation with them on what needs to happen?”

Another meeting was held with the hotel’s management, the BIU is now “waiting to hear back from them on certain matters”.

“They’re going to get back to us within 48 hours, but I can tell you the bartenders have said ‘we’re sorry, but we’re not going to be doing the bar porters’ work’ — and that’s all of the bartenders.

“This weekend is Superbowl weekend. They made the bar porters redundant on Friday and on either Sunday or Monday they were wondering which bar porter is working this weekend.”

He noted that the hotel was the only one left in Bermuda that had bar porters.

“For whatever reason all the other hotels have gotten rid of their bar porters. Remember, bar porters are future bartenders,” said Mr Furbert.

“If we are not allowing bar porters to work anymore then where are we going to get our future bartenders from? Right now, it’s either a restricted category or a closed category for bartenders.

“Fifteen years down the road where do we get our bartenders from if you can’t get them from another establishment — do you now bring bartenders in to work? That is a recipe for disaster.”

The workers made redundant were given four weeks’ pay in lieu of notice, he said, and all three bar porters were asked to sign documents on different days.

“For the past few months he said the Green’s “have done a lot of good for the hotel”, but Mr Furbert said they were given a lot of concessions.

“When a Government gives a concession to an employer it’s on behalf of the people of the country.

“Certainly, the Government needs to take a long hard look at whether or not the hotel has violated any terms or conditions of that agreement.”

Reflecting back on all the concessions made by hotel workers over the past few years, including a wage freeze and other sacrifices he said something’s not adding up.

“All I could say is when you look at the BIU membership, Government workers as well as hotel workers and other people that we represent, the shared sacrifices haven’t been so shared.”

He also noted that he spoke with Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy on Monday.

When contacted, Senator Fahy said: “Given these unfortunate events I am urging both the Fairmont and the BIU to dialogue and collaborate on the way forward.

“We were very disappointed at the Fairmont’s decision and I expressed this to the general manager. I also shared my extreme disappointment with the BIU president. I am confident that with open dialogue a resolution to any disputes between the parties can be found.”

At the hotel staff members, who asked not to be named, said morale was low with mounting anxiety on the part of some who are concerned about job security.

One worker said: “You never know who’s next and the rumours are spreading that there may be more job losses to come. The general feeling around here is that we all need to watch out.”

A hotel spokeswoman said of Mr Czarnecki’s departure: “Over the past three years, Len has provided strong leadership to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, managing the change of ownership at the hotel and subsequently working with the owners on the $70 million redevelopment of the property.

“From hotel openings to renovations and repositioning, Len brings a valuable skill set to FRHI and will be staying with the company in his next role.

“We thank Len for his leadership and wish him much success in the next chapter in his career. A global search is underway for a new general manager.”

Managing director of Fairmont Bermuda, George Terpilowski, “will assume responsibility for the operation of the hotel” in the interim.

Mr Czarnecki said: “Over the past three years I have enjoyed working with The Fairmont Hamilton Princess and its team of dedicated colleagues.

“My family and I have enjoyed living in Bermuda, and although I am excited about my new position with Fairmont, as always, this type of move is bittersweet.”