Unions' distaste with proposed BTC sale grows
By CHESTER ROBARDS
Guardian Staff Reporter
chester@nasguard.com
The government’s decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) for the sale of a majority share of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) continues to be met with strong reaction from some union leaders.
The Nassau Guardian understands that the unions representing workers at BTC may be contemplating action intended to voice a stronger objection to the move.
Representatives from the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Unions (BCPOU) and the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU) are also attempting to build support outside the trade union movement.
Union leaders met with members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Sunday night to officially offer their disapproval of the sale of BTC to CWC.
Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini Obie Wilchcombe, who is leader of opposition business in the House of Assembly, confirmed that he and his colleagues met with members of the union and listened to their concerns.
He said the PLP is waiting to look over the MOU signed between the government and CWC before it offers an official position on the deal.
“We are looking at their issues and are hoping to get a sight of the Memorandum of Understanding,” said Wilchcombe.
BCPMU President William Carroll suggested that the unions would go around to every major civic organization in the country to garner support for their campaign against the sale of BTC to CWC.
The unions’ opposition to the sale to CWC has not changed since months before the MOU was signed.
The unions’ primary concern over the deal is job security for BTC workers.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham revealed during a press conference not long before the MOU was signed that CWC had asked for a 30 percent decrease in the staff complement at BTC.
However, Ingraham said the government would only support a deal with voluntary separation packages.
A press release on the MOU signing revealed that the government and CWC agreed to the voluntary packages.
“There will be a restructuring of the workforce of BTC following completion of the transaction, which will be carried out on an entirely voluntary basis,” the release said. “A detailed plan is in the process of being developed.”
BCPOU President Bernard Evans contended many of the individuals who would receive packages are at an age where they may not be able to find gainful employment when their packages dry up.
“We aren’t advocating packages,” said Evans. “With the ages of some of these people, finding meaningful employment is dismal.”
12/7/2010
thenassauguardian
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union does not support Bahamas Telecommunications Company's shares being sold to Cable and Wireless
BTC union rejects bidder
BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com:
The union that represents line staff at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is objecting to the government's decision to enter talks with regional telecoms giant Cable & Wireless for a 51 percent stake in the state-owned entity.
Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans said the labor body would in no way support any amount of shares being sold to Cable & Wireless.
"Their track record as far as labor relations is not good and even given the potential model that they want to implement in terms of regional governance and control, it is not conducive to the Bahamian psyche that I know, that we know," Evans explained.
"We go on record as saying that we do not support any kind of sale to Cable & Wireless."
The Nassau Guardian understands that talks begun recently between the government and Cable & Wireless over the sale of the majority interest in BTC, which employs hundreds of Bahamians. This came despite the company turning down the chance to officially bid last year when a number of partnerships paid $25,000 to be a part of the process.
Cable & Wireless had been considered among the best prospects to purchase BTC when it opted out.
The Guardian reported recently that the talks that are now taking place between the company and the government sparked frustration among the two bidders that had been short-listed, with one saying it was actively considering whether it wanted to move forward in the process.
The two existing bidders — a JP Morgan/Vodafone combination and Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), partnering with CFAL — were among four proposals, which were short-listed last October.
Evans said the union is not supporting a sale to Vodafone either.
He said while privatization for BTC has been looming for a while, Bahamians should be given the first opportunity to purchase.
"And I believe the government was trying to get as much as it can get for the 51 percent sale for BTC, but given some of the figures we have been hearing it is not that attractive," Evans said.
"We are still reserved in that BTC is a very profitable entity. It is Bahamian-controlled, Bahamian-owned, and we believe it still should be Bahamian-owned and if [there is] any opportunity for any sale Bahamians should be looked at first," he said.
Last month, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told The Nassau Guardian that there would be no fire sale of BTC.
"We have given the BTC privatization committee some parameters as to what bid would be acceptable to ourselves," he said.
"They are still having discussions, we expect to hear from them soon, but they have not formed any recommendation yet. We gave them the parameters but we are not having a fire sale, we don't have to sell immediately," Ingraham said.
June 8, 2010
thenassauguardian
BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com:
The union that represents line staff at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is objecting to the government's decision to enter talks with regional telecoms giant Cable & Wireless for a 51 percent stake in the state-owned entity.
Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans said the labor body would in no way support any amount of shares being sold to Cable & Wireless.
"Their track record as far as labor relations is not good and even given the potential model that they want to implement in terms of regional governance and control, it is not conducive to the Bahamian psyche that I know, that we know," Evans explained.
"We go on record as saying that we do not support any kind of sale to Cable & Wireless."
The Nassau Guardian understands that talks begun recently between the government and Cable & Wireless over the sale of the majority interest in BTC, which employs hundreds of Bahamians. This came despite the company turning down the chance to officially bid last year when a number of partnerships paid $25,000 to be a part of the process.
Cable & Wireless had been considered among the best prospects to purchase BTC when it opted out.
The Guardian reported recently that the talks that are now taking place between the company and the government sparked frustration among the two bidders that had been short-listed, with one saying it was actively considering whether it wanted to move forward in the process.
The two existing bidders — a JP Morgan/Vodafone combination and Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), partnering with CFAL — were among four proposals, which were short-listed last October.
Evans said the union is not supporting a sale to Vodafone either.
He said while privatization for BTC has been looming for a while, Bahamians should be given the first opportunity to purchase.
"And I believe the government was trying to get as much as it can get for the 51 percent sale for BTC, but given some of the figures we have been hearing it is not that attractive," Evans said.
"We are still reserved in that BTC is a very profitable entity. It is Bahamian-controlled, Bahamian-owned, and we believe it still should be Bahamian-owned and if [there is] any opportunity for any sale Bahamians should be looked at first," he said.
Last month, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told The Nassau Guardian that there would be no fire sale of BTC.
"We have given the BTC privatization committee some parameters as to what bid would be acceptable to ourselves," he said.
"They are still having discussions, we expect to hear from them soon, but they have not formed any recommendation yet. We gave them the parameters but we are not having a fire sale, we don't have to sell immediately," Ingraham said.
June 8, 2010
thenassauguardian
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