By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans spoke yesterday of turmoil and hardship among BTC employees as they await news of their fate with the company.
BTC remains in the process of laying off numerous employees this year as it braces for competition in the cellular market.
The company intended to offer voluntary separation packages to 150 to 250 workers to leave the company before the end of March.
BCPOU Secretary General Dino Rolle has said that about 100 people have accepted the packages so far, meaning that the company has to decide who else to cut.
Mr Evans, speaking to the press during a conference, said dialogue between his union and BTC's management team is continuing, noting that he hopes to be able to provide the press with an update on the matter by the end of next week.
Meanwhile, he spoke of employees being unable to do business with banks because of their uncertain future and of rumours floating around about who will be cut from the company and who will be allowed to remain.
"This has been the most painful, painful, disgusting, poor exercise," he said. "The morale of the staff – it's as if you have a noose hanging outside the window and everyone is just watching you, don't know when they will pull the gallows. This has been a very, very sad exercise and we spoke with management just yesterday and we are still awaiting words from them.
“They're asking the union to act responsibly. You know of the disruption we've had, trying to bring to bear our concerns. We've staged sickouts and everything short of a strike because we can't frustrate the public; we have a duty to provide service. At the same time, they've taken advantage of our good nature and it's almost shameful that in this time of the year and in this time of this country when there aren't jobs available, the people are just sitting around the table and sending out rumors that there are lists going on and this one is going and that one is staying.
He added: “I mean it's just sad. It's a very terrible time to be an employee of BTC. The banks have put everyone on notice. You can't do a transaction with the banks because they don't know what's happening to you and your future.
"Hopefully next week we'll have all this behind us."
Asked what would be the best outcome to the current situation, he said: "The union would like them to see that they made a mistake and that everyone is shorthanded right now and would like to stay on the job and keep their job."
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 6 months ago
Now the Bahamian public and the poor BTC employees about to be laid off get to see part of the quid pro quo for the 2% of BTC's shares transferred to the Foundation created at the recommendation of Sean McQueeney as a result of the bullying tactics applied by Franky Wilson aka Snake to Cable & Wireless. Meanwhile, the bahamas government remains without the majority ownership and voting control of BTC promised by Perry Christie. These poor BTC employees about to be laid off got royally swing by their PM with the help of Snake and McWeeney! I can't imagine any of these laid off employees and their families, fellow union members and friends will be voting for the PLP candidate running in their constituency in the next general election. Oh well, live and learn.
EasternGate 9 years, 6 months ago
What a difference a day makes. The FNM was vilified by the PLP, Evans and Leon. Now Leon is back and the shitty PLP lead by shit ass Perry claim majority ownership, the employees are getting thrown under the garbage truck. Can't say that I am sympathetic.
Economist 9 years, 6 months ago
What happened to the creation of 10,000 jobs in the first 100 days? Seems that we will be lucky if they are created in the full 5 years which will mean, with the 15,000 that will have been added to the job market, that unemployment will be higher at the end of the 5 years and not lower.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
Strange that it's dragging out so long. The not knowing must be very stressful. Guess it's harder than they expected to remove the non performers, I wonder if C&W ever met a government as corrupt as this one....
realfreethinker 9 years, 6 months ago
This is what happens when a government sign a deal and don't let the public see it. That 2% aint looking so good now hey ? Bernard them wanted Leon back, well now he is back just to screw you guys over. Karma is a bitch.
duppyVAT 9 years, 6 months ago
BTC employees who take the package will be well compensated......... who else in this country can work on a job with nothing more than a high school diploma and walk away with a six figure package?????????
Teachers, police, doctors, nurses etc cant get it from the government even after 30 years
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