Ostan na Rosann staff protesting outside the hotel in Dungloe tonight
Staff at the Ostan na Rosann Hotel in Dungloe are protesting outside the premises over the non payment of wages amid reports that the hotel is now closed.
The protest continued overnight with staff joined by families and friends holding posters and placards highlighting the fact that they are owed money.
Sixteen staff members were locked outside the hotel since early on Monday, when they assembled in a bid to establish when their outstanding wages would be paid.
The sixteen staff, male and female, claim they are owed a total of over €10,000 in wages, some individuals owed as much as €1,000.
One staff member said that the hotel has been closed since Sunday. He said when they arrived on Monday they were allowed in for a short period to speak with the manager before being asked to leave and the premises was then locked by management from the inside.
They say the hotel manager, Mr Malcolm Nesbitt told them last night that the premises is now closed.
Staff say there has been ongoing issues with wages at the hotel in recent times and even as far back as August.
“I am owed over €1,000 and others are owed much the same. We worked for our money and are entitled to get it. We were been given some now and some again but never our full wages. Some staff haven’t had pay slips since August,” said one staff member.
Other staff who left their jobs in recent weeks over wages issues are also still owed money.
The 48-bedroom hotel reopened earlier this year under new management after having been closed for around two years. Parts of the building including bedrooms underwent refurbishment work. There was much hope locally that the famous Rosses hotel would resume trading as the successful business it had been for decades.
The hotel was due to host a big casino night with dinner this Saturday night December 8th and staff revealed last night that several weddings are also booked at the hotel for next year.
Despite several efforts to contact management tonight, no one was answering the hotel’s phone.