1,200 workers to go - United Estates to make cuts by September By Balford Henry,
Senior Reporter ABOUT 1,200 employees of United Estates are expected to lose their jobs by September as the company divests its massive citrus holdings in Bog Walk, St. Catherine. The company says it will be divesting four farms -- Bybrook, Enfield, New Hall and New Works -- as well as its nursery. "In preparation for this divestment and the ultimate handing over of the operations, notices of termination have been issued to affected employees. Upon termination of employment, which will be on or before September 30, 2001, all redundancy entitlements will be paid. The NWU and the Ministry of Labour have been invited to meet and discuss concerns," said a letter from the management to the workers, dated June 29. Management spokesman for United Estates, Peter McConnell, said yesterday that the primary reason for the closure was that the business was no longer viable. He said that for the last two years the shareholders and directors wanted out of the citrus business. He said that the most recent blows to the industry included declining exports, as well as the destruction of citrus trees by the dreaded Tristeza Virus which wiped out over 3,000 acres last year. One of the largest citrus farm and export businesses in the Caribbean, United Estates four farms and nursery covers over 5,000 acres of farm land and employs nearly 1,200 persons. But Vincent Morrison, island supervisor for the National Workers Union (NWU), which represents the workers, believes the decision has more to do with an award made last year by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) favouring the workers. The award granted them improvements in pay and fringe benefits for the period October 1999 to September 2001. In a letter to Mr. McConnell on Wednesday, Mr. Morrison had suggested that the company withdraw its appeal against the IDT award. The union pointed out that when the Court should have started hearing the matter on April 30, the lawyer for the company, Gregory Reid, had requested a postponement as he was not fully prepared for the hearing. Mr. McConnell yesterday, however, dismissed suggestions that the company was trying to avoid paying the workers whatever outstanding amounts they are owed when the matter is resolved. He said that the request for the postponement was due to the fact that the transcripts from the IDT were not received, by both the lawyers for the company and the union, until a day before the hearings. He said that the company had appealed the award because it was "untenable" and would increase the wage bill by 70 per cent and 90 per cent, respectively, over the two years. Mr. McConnell pointed out that in a letter sent to NWU president, Clive Dobson, on June 29, the company stated: "Once the pending collective labour agreement between United Estates and the National Workers Union has been settled, any retroactive payments due to terminated employees will be paid." The entire assets of the company, including its processing plant which produces the popular "Tru Juice" and "Fresh" brands of citrus juices were advertised for sale last November. The processing plant was eventually acquired by new owners, Trade Winds Citrus Limited, earlier this year and over 200 workers made redundant. A meeting has been set for this afternoon between the company's management and the NWU to discuss the workers' concerns. File
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