WILLIAMS

AIR JAMAICA has let go some temporary workers, but according to its executive chairman, Shirley Williams, claims that 30 per cent of its staff are about to be made redundant are mischievous.

Yesterday, The Sunday Gleaner reported that the new board of Air Jamaica had taken the decision on staff cuts.

Sources close to the board had informed The Gleaner that the decision was taken at a recent board retreat.

However, Williams was strident yesterday as she told The Gleaner that no such decision was made to make workers redundant.

"At the retreat, there was no discussion of any 30 per cent (staff) reduction," Williams said.

Restructuring process

She added that the temporary workers who were sent home had reached the end of their contracts, adding that "they were hired for the purpose of the peak period to cover the period up until December 31".

According to the executive chairman, Air Jamaica, which is losing over US$100 million per year, is being restructured, a process that has already begun.

"In terms of the percentage of cuts, I am not getting into that at this time. There is a process to follow. It involves also going though the ministry, as there is an MoU in place," Williams said.

Granville Valentine, vice-president of the National Workers' Union, has said that when staff cuts take effect, it must start at the management level as, according to him, Air Jamaica is top-heavy.