TALKS between the representatives of the Fiesta Hotel Group and the trade unions seeking to represent some 2,000 workers on their site in Point, Hanover are set to resume next Wednesday following an initial round of discussions at the labour ministry two days ago.

Wednesday’s conversations, which were largely centred on the union’s claim for representational rights, were said to have ended on a positive note.

Representatives from both the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which hosted the meeting, and the two unions – the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union(BITU) and the National Workers Union (NWU) – expressed optimism about the future of the discussions.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier at the ministry’s North Street head office in Kingston, and was attended by high-profile representatives of all the parties, except for the main contractors. But there was no explanation for their absence.

“I commend [the minister] for bringing the parties together which has really helped,” said NWU’s Vincent Morrison, who along with the BITU’s Ruddy Spencer, led the teams from their unions.

Fiesta’s general manager, Cosa Colina, and attorney-at-law Lloyd Perkins represented the investors.

The Fiesta Group is constructing a 1600-room at Point estate, Hanover which has been plagued with problems and controversy ever since construction started last year.

On Monday, Spanish ambassador Jesus Silva met with representatives of the two trade unions, which have been seeking to represent the workers following a riot on the site in February triggered by the employees’ disappointment with the working conditions.