Airline to cut more workers

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) plans to make major cuts in the number of former Air Jamaica workers who now service operations in Jamaica, the Gleaner Newspaper reported today.The paper cited a reliable source who said that workers’ contracts end on April 30 and are not being renewed. The source said that some 300 jobs in the information technology and accounting services would be more likely lost in the process.The rationale is that CAL is centralising its operations in Trinidad and Tobago.It’s reported that reservation agents would be next in line. Employees have already received letters announcing the termination of their contracts.Sources say the Air Jamaica operations have been bleeding a substantial amount of cash – more than the US$50 million that Trinidad and Tobago put in last spring.Meantime, National Worker’s Union (NWU) vice president Granville Valentine has expressed disappointment at the pending staff cuts at the airline. Mr. Valentine said the union had hoped that by re-employing the former air Jamaica workers, the management of the current airline wanted to retain the Air Jamaica expertise in its Jamaican operation. Mr. Valentine is calling on the government to explain the basis for its 16 per cent share in the current operations of Caribbean Airlines. (CMC)