SEVERAL WORKERS at the Norman Manley International Airport, east Kingston, are reportedly restive over the incorporation of a new management company which has assumed operational responsibilities there.
According to a copy of a memorandum issued to the staff informing them of the change, NMIAL (NMIA Airports Ltd.) assumed management responsibilities on October 1. Earl Richards, president of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), in a memorandum, confirmed the incorporation of the new company. He stated that the new company is a "wholly-owned subsidiary of the AAJ, established to manage and operate the Norman Manley International Airport as a preparatory step toward eventual privatisation of the airport."
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
According to the document, a copy of which was obtained by The Gleaner, NMIAL will be the "approved airport operator of the NMIA (Norman Manley International Airport) and properly authorised to conduct the business of managing and operating the airport. As such, the new company will now be responsible, under the Airports (Economic Regulation) Act 2002 to charge aeronautical fees (including passenger service and security fees, landing fees and parking fees) at the airport.
However, the Union of Technical Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (UTASP), which represents about 50 supervisory and clerical workers at the airport, is upset that the AAJ had incorporated the new company without informing it.
"We are very disgruntled about the whole matter, we feel disrespected given that no prior discussions took place," Tony Dawkins, island supervisor of UTASP, said.
CONCERNED ABOUT FUTURE
According to Mr. Dawkins, the change has left several workers concerned about their future at the company. But the memorandum stated that there will be no changes in the terms of employment for the staff who have been placed on secondment to the NMIAL. However, The Gleaner understands that there will be a relocation of some head office personnel to the airport and the merging of certain functions and departments and some rationalisation of staff.
Mr. Richards said that redundancies will occur as a result of the changes, but he declined to say when this was likely to take place. He denied that unions and workers were kept in the dark about the new changes.
"We have done what is necessary to explain the situation to them," he said.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING EFFICIENCY
Under the new management structure, the NMIA's management and staff will be given greater responsibility for improving the efficiency and profitability of the airport's operation.
Mr. Richards said there was no need for concern as the new company was part of efforts to improve the efficiency of operations at the airport. He cited the privatisation of Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, St. James, as part of this effort, stating that a similar move would be made to privatise the Norman Manley International Airport. He said no timeline has been set by which the airport is to be privatised.
