Cabinet to decide BWIA’s fate today

Cash-strapped BWIA has once again found itself facing possible closure if Government makes the decision not to continue pumping money into the debt-ridden company at today’s special sitting of Cabinet. Another option would be to provide the airline with an additional $250 million to help it get its affairs in order. However, the unions representing BWIA workers are of the view that the airline can be self-sufficient if given the chance. Closure should not be an option, they say. One went so far as to blame Government for the present financial difficulties facing the airline, noting that it has so far excluded the unions from any decision making processes.

President of the Aviation, Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU), Christopher Abraham, expressed his belief that the experience and knowledge of the airline’s workers was never properly utilised. “Now,” he said, “one Government is claiming that the previous one is responsible for the airline’s problems.” “The unions were ignored by both regimes, as were their views and information pertaining to concerns about the running of the airline and the negative decisions made which did not serve to carry the airline forward and expand it,” Abraham continued. “I hope that lessons were learnt from those mistakes and the unions in all areas will be allowed to be heard.”

Abraham also criticised the appointment of what he called a “Board which does not know anything about the airline industry.” This put the airline at a disadvantage, he stated. At present, he contended, the company is plagued with a number of problems, which facilitated its financial problems. Marketing is poor, he maintained, as is scheduling and industrial relations and the relations between employers and employees. He called for an industry to be built around these areas to maximise the benefits to the airline. There was also the need to develop a strong technological base, in terms of aviation technology, and to form linkages with the agricultural industry as well as with the North American market.

“But all of this comes to nought if the workers continue to be excluded.” Jagdeo Jagroop, president of the Communication, Transportation and General Workers Trade Union (CATU), expressed surprise at hearing about this impending meeting. His belief was that the company’s performance had improved from last year. “I also heard Minister Valley making statements that BWIA had been paying its bills, was doing well and was here to stay. In my view, he was reassuring the public that the company would not fold and that Government would try to keep it afloat,” he stated. “Now I am surprised to hear about this meeting.”