BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard said yesterday he is “not worried” about possible layoffs as officials seek to reorganise staff under the operations of the new Bahamas Power & Light Company Ltd.
Mr. Maynard told The Tribune that he has been assured by both Prime Minister Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minster Phillip “Brave” Davis, who has responsibility for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), that if there were any layoffs they would be “minimal”.
Last week, a top executive of PowerSecure, the American firm contracted to manage the state-owned utility provider, said there could “potentially be a reduction” in workforce in the coming months. However, Ronnie Brannen, PowerSecure’s president of utility infrastructure, stressed that should this happen, management would look at offering voluntary packages to employees with long tenures at the corporation.
Mr. Maynard said he was now caught in “a perfect storm” because “next year is an election year” and he has been assured that the government is seeking to minimise lay offs and redundancies as a result of PowerSecure’s takeover.
“This is going to be a win, win situation for all involved,” Mr. Maynard said. “I am not worried about possible layoffs. I have spoken to the prime minister and the deputy prime minister and I believe we will come to an acceptable compromise. Layoffs are likely, but I am satisfied we will have a positive outcome. Next year is an election year, I am now in the perfect storm.”
PowerSecure officially signed a five-year management services agreement for BEC, which will be renamed BPL, on February 8. At the signing, Mr. Brannen did not say what percentage in staff reduction PowerSecure was possibly considering and could not say what reduction in consumer electricity costs was expected. When asked to reveal the cost of improvements over the next five years, he said it was too early in the process to reveal numbers.
BPL, which is managed by a board of directors, has been mandated to reduce the cost of electricity and bring about a more reliable electricity service.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
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