BWIA unions: Aircraft repair company a sham Trinidad Daily News BWIA'S four trade unions yesterday described the proposed Aircraft Maintenance Technical Company (AMTC) as a "red herring" conveniently whipped out by the airline's management as it put 617 workers on to the breadline. Communications Transport and General Workers Union (CTGWTU) president Jagdeo Jagroop told Newsday the AMTC proposal was first presented to BWIA's unions in 1998. He claimed BWIA CEO Conrad Aleong shelved the plan back then because the finer points had not been worked out. Jagroop said the plan was dusted off late last year and he found it passing strange that as BWIA laid off workers, the AMTC was resurrected. "I see it as another red herring," he declared. The AMTC is supposed to repair and overhaul airframes, avionics, components and specialised air transportation equipment. The company is a three-way joint venture between Government, BWIA and a recognised external partner. Jagroop dismissed BWIA CEO Conrad Aleong's explanation about why workers were retrenched and reiterated that the company was trying to make the public believe the unions were villains. He also wondered whether Government was supportive of BWIA's actions. Jagroop said together the workers and the public own 48 percent of the airline and Government could help BWIA if the national interest was threatened. The CTGWTU president said of 617 workers retrenched, 48 were from his union while 400 plus were members of the Allied Communication and Allied Workers Union (ACAWU). He said since Tuesday's events, the unions' executives have been discussing options available to them and plans to hold a meeting on Friday to seek guidance from their members. *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Site of the Week: www.pichemas.com TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************