MONTEGO BAY, St James — Employees of Secrets and Breathless resorts in Montego Bay were back on the job Wednesday even as hotel management asked for more time to update them on whether they will get a salary increase.

Resort manager for both Hyatt-managed properties Daniele Galligani was optimistic that this and other issues will be resolved but said he needed more than the 24 hours he had promised.

“We have made some progress, we had a very positive meeting with all of them,” he told the Jamaica Observer after a meeting that included representatives from the labour ministry and two staff members from each department.

“Most of the issues are already fixed, but we still have a few points that we need to investigate a little bit more. It requires more time but I think we are in very good shape,” Galligani added.

The request for a salary increase was a major factor that led to about 100 placard-bearing employees gathering at the Freeport roundabout on Tuesday.

“That one needs some investigation but we have promised, we have a commitment to go back to our colleagues for further investigation,” assured the resort manager.

He was obviously relieved to have staff back at work.

“Yesterday was a challenge, especially when you’re short of staff, but those who were there went the extra mile in helping us,” he said.

Efforts to speak with workers’ reps who sat in on the meeting were unsuccessful but some of their colleagues, who asked not to be identified by name, were optimistic that their concerns would be addressed. One woman interpreted the duration of the talks as an indicator of a rigorous negotiation that will ultimately bode well for employees.

Among those keeping a watchful eye on the outcome of the meetings is National Workers’ Union Assistant Island Supervisor Alvin Nicholson. He said progress has been made in having the staff unionised.

“The feedback is good, it’s excellent in fact; they need representation. They are upbeat and ready and it is now up to us as unions to now start the process,” he said.