Let down by unions, eight take Great Eastern leap to new future

Great Eastern’s ERS is unique, as it will only work if all the hotel’s 375 employees take it. So far, the unions have not budged, forcing the government to extend the April 18 deadline by a month.

Now, union leaders are calling these eight employees ‘‘traitors’’ though many say they represent the new face of West Bengal. The Indian Express tracked down five of the eight to bring you their story:

• Swapan Ghosh, 58: Administrative Officer in charge of the hotel’s bar lounge, Sip-N-Bite. Supports INTTUC (Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress). Has a wife, son and daughter. Has worked in the hotel for 27 years.

“I’m fed up with trade unionism in the hotel for the last 10 years. Both the government and the trade unions have ruined this hotel.”

Why ERS? “If I don’t accept the offer, I will lose financially. The hotel management does not have the efficiency or the expertise to run the business profitably. Government officials at the helm of hotel management probably know the administrative aspect but are ignorant about hotel business. There was only misuse of funds. Under such circumstances, I have never been able to show my ability. I will show it when I get out of this place. I would like to invest whatever I get from ERS in a business that’s similar to what I have been doing. I might engage some men from here.”

• Tapan Chakravarty, 56: Assistant, accounts department. No union. Has wife, 2 daughters.

“I have been waiting for 10 years for a turnaround. It is high time I do something. I don’t want to miss out on compensation and salary.”

Why ERS? “I feel I was exploited during my career of 37 years in this hotel. When I was in the front office, I used to work for 13 hours a day. What’s the outcome? Neither the hotel flourished, nor I. This ERS offer was dangling before us. Some of us have discussed it and have also spoken to our families. I realise I can get out and try to do something better.”

• Aloke Roy, 59: Assistant, Grade-I, accounts department. Supports Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC). Has a wife and two sons.

“If I go by trade union diktats, I might turn out to be the worst loser.”

Why ERS? “If the hotel closes, I might not get anything—the gratuity and pension. Besides, the compensation offered in the ERS package will also slip away if I don’t respond right away. I have been rotting at the same post for 20 years. There is no recognition of the work done. The situation has reached a point where closure is inevitable. What else can I do if I don’t accept ERS? I will invest the money in a hotel business in a tourist spot.”

• Dibyendu Ash, 58: Assistant Grade-II in accounts. Supports INTTUC. Has a wife and a daughter.

“It’s too much of stress. It’s better to leave once and for all. I might become a pauper otherwise.”

Why ERS? “The ERS package offered to us includes legitimate dues and a compensation part. There are scores of cases where employees are not getting anything. I have pondered over this for a month. I did not respond to the earlier offers. But this time I am going to take it. If the government closes the hotel, I stand to lose everything. I will be penniless.”

• Tafazul Ali, 58: Senior assistant-Accounts. Supports no union. Has a wife and a son.

“Seen enough of trade unionism. Cannot depend on any trade union leader anymore.”

Why ERS? “I want to spend the rest of my life peacefully. My family wanted me to accept ERS. There’s no future for the hotel and I don’t want to endanger my future. It is time to say goodbye and leave Kolkata. The day I get my retirement benefits, I will move to Jagatsinghpur in Orissa and settle there.’’