(Trinidad Guardian) Over 100 workers are expected to be sent home as the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) begins the implementation of its “new structure.”
Confirmation of the move came via a letter from the company to the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) on Monday.
In the letter addressed to CWU secretary general Clyde Elder, dated November 12, a senior TSTT industrial relations manager outlined the changes to the CWU, which were reportedly discussed at a meeting on October 26. The letter also included a list of “proposed positions to be made redundant consequent to the implementation of the New Structure.”
The news comes just weeks after TSTT had denied a T&T Guardian report which stated that it planned to send home workers and introduce a new structure called the TSTT Group of Companies.
On October 7, the T&T Guardian reported that TSTT was restructuring and that some 2,000 workers could face the axe.
It was learnt then that at a meeting, TSTT senior managers were informed of the company’s planned changes. Some 364 senior managers were informed of the changes at that meeting, which was held at the Hyatt Regency and advised that seniors outside of the union’s collective bargaining unit would have to reapply for their jobs.
But back then TSTT described the T&T Guardian’s report as “fabricated sensationalism” and denied they were restructuring or planning to send workers home.
However, the letter this week lists over 100 positions to be made redundant. Among some of the positions to be made redundant are ac power systems engineer, payroll clerk, purchasing supervisor, accounts clerk, shift supervisor TOPS, billing attendant, disbursement clerk, internet service rep, senior wireman, customer service representative, labourer and pay station technician.
Up until late yesterday, TSTT and the CWU were meeting to discuss the changes.
The union is also expected to meet with its membership today at Union Hall and again tomorrow at the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union headquarters in San Fernando. According to union members, those meetings are to inform the workers and the membership of the “drastic measures the company is trying to implement.”
Contacted last evening, Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte, who is the line minister for TSTT, told Guardian Media he has full confidence in the board and management was managing the affairs of the company to the benefit of all stakeholders.
