Premier Hon. Sharlene Robinson and DeputyPremier Hon. Sean Astwood have issued stern warnings to hoteliers following acontroversial letter from Gansevoort management that went viral on socialmedia. The letter outlined changes for staff, including salary deductions foruniforms, removal of complimentary meals, and an end to service charges in someareas, such as the spa and restaurant. The Deputy Premier, who is also Ministerof Immigration and Labour, described the letter as “deeply concerning” and cautionedagainst any form of retaliation against workers, emphasizing that such actionswould be a “big mistake” and taken very seriously by the government.

Astwood confirmed the letter's authenticitywith Gansevoort and expressed his dissatisfaction, noting that he had alreadyscheduled a meeting with the resort’s owner to discuss the implications. Hereminded employers that the Service Charge Ordinance, which mandates thathospitality workers receive 100% of service charges, would be implemented onFebruary 1, 2019, after additional legislative adjustments. Astwood urgedbusinesses to refrain from penalizing employees during this transition period,highlighting that any attempts to harm or retaliate against staff would not betolerated. The government’s approach, he said, is focused on fairness andensuring that workers benefit fully from service charges.

Premier Robinson echoed these sentiments,criticizing the "meanness" displayed by some corporate entities inresponse to the mandatory service charge. She stated that the governmentprovided alternative measures, such as a resort facility fee, to offset anylosses for management, making the rollback of staff benefits unnecessary.Robinson affirmed that the law is already passed and will not be reversed,stressing that businesses have had ample time to comply. The Premier called forrespect toward hospitality workers, emphasizing their critical role insustaining the islands’ tourism industry and reiterating the government’scommitment to enforcing the legislation.