Update: Approx. 16 workers sacked by CCT
This means each employee may have a different termination date. With so many workers terminated on the basis of redundancy, it is unclear if it has affected the various departments within the organisation such as Roaming, Prepaid, Billing, Corporate Sales or Marketing.
The Company promised to continue the employees’ medical benefits and telephone services through their termination date.
A member of the Board of Directors who spoke to this news site on condition of anonymity said, “it was a difficult decision for all members because we knew it will result in a fall out…it was painful at our meeting on Friday as these are our people…”
But in the end, the Director noted, a decision had to be made to save the investment, and inspire confidence in customers. This meant taking a hard look at strategies, operations and capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the CCT Board of Directors, Mrs Margaret A. Penn, said she could not verify the number of staff members issued dismissal letters.
She also expressed that the letters received by workers served as the only notice of their dismissals and no prior warning was given.
“The letters,” she said, “it’s quite clear was the notice. We gave notice… as was required, some of them got a month’s notice. Those that were with CCT for many, many years got different notice.”
Commenting on how the company would function effectively in the interim with workers being dismissed, Penn said, “We have done a complete review, we’ve looked at our operations, our capabilities and we’re in the process of transforming the company.”
Penn added, “Unfortunately, having to complete the severance packages yesterday [June 3, 2013], although very painful, is a part of CCT’s evolution.”
The Chairman said the company appreciates the service that employees have given and their dedication but hoped that today would bring the beginning of a new CCT with a streamlined operation so that the company could effectively compete in the telecoms market.
Efforts to reach Labour Minister Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool and CEO of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Guy Malone for comments, were unsuccessful.
Chairman of the TRC Board, Ayana Hull, declined to comment.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley said he was made aware of the situation at CCT late yesterday afternoon by the Acting Labour Commissioner. He said the employees could rest assured that in a day or two the Acting Labour Commissioner would be in a position to inform them as to the “next step”.
Opposition Members comment on the CCT situation
Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA said it was “incredible that I could be so right and the Premier could be so wrong about the state of the economy when I told him it was failing and he said it was robust. I think he owes the people of this Territory an explanation as to where he went wrong.”
Hon. Fraser also wanted to know if the affected staff had seen their severance coming.
The former Minister for Communications and Works also said he hoped the company wasn’t downsizing as it would not be speaking well for the Territory. “This is tragic,” Hon. Fraser said of the dismissals.
Second District Representative Honourable J. Alvin Christopher said he was hit with the startling news this morning. He added that he wasn’t fully informed of the details, however, he is of the opinion that it is a time for all to come together to charter a way forward for the economy. “And what we are going to do to stabilise things to stop this trend of unemployment and what plans we are going to adopt as a government to move the country forward?"
Hon. Christopher added that at this juncture all concerned cannot afford to continue to fold hands and do nothing. "We must work together, government and opposition, private and public sector to find a solution and a way forward."
This news site also tried to solicit a comment from Opposition Member Hon. Andrew A. Fahie but he could not be reached as of post time.
See previous article posted on June 3, 2013
Over a dozen workers abruptly terminated at CCT!
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online indicates that over a dozen workers have been terminated by CCT Global Communications today, June 3, 2013.
In letters handed out to over a dozen employees today, CCT Global Communications advised staff that they “must reorganize the workforce to compete with the multinational competitors in the BVI telecommunications arena.”
“As a result, we regret to inform you that you are being terminated on the basis of redundancy”. The letter dated June 3, 2013 and signed by General Manager, Jose Luis Fernandez, was obtained by Virgin Islands News Online.
Many of the employees came forward to our news room claiming that there were no prior meetings or any warning or indication that they would be let go based on redundancy.
They also alleged that although the termination will take effect for most in two months from today’s date, effective immediately they are not allowed to return to their CCT work station.
The letter advised them to “immediately return all company property in your possession and to relinquish access to the company premises and systems.”
When contacted, Fernandez would not confirm how many workers were laid off in total or how the layoffs would affect the company in the immediate future. He stated instead, “At this point, the only thing that I can tell you is that CCT has decided to reorganize their workforce to compete effectively in the BVI telecommunications arena.”
Director, Meade Malone referred this news site to Chairman of the Board, Ms Margaret Penn who could not be reached for comment up to post time.
One employee told this news site, “they disabled my card, and all access to the system moments after I got the letter… it's sad how they treated us, some of us being here for 5, 10, 15 years.”
In closing the letter wished them success in their future endeavours.
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123 Responses to “Update: Approx. 16 workers sacked by CCT”
IF THEM @$$ GET BETTER SERVICE INSTEAD OF HAVING DROP CALLS AND POOR INTERNET SIGNAL MAYBE THEN WE WILL STAY.
Why you don't blame See see Tea for not using all that money they were raping us for when there was no competition, to reinvest into a better network. Who will take there hard earned money and put into a company JUST because they are local, when you can get better service elsewhere? Only a fool or a shareholder would do that.
Signed person with a brain.
Long and short, they FIRED THE PEOPLE
The ch.....m@n for CCT is a waste of time, all she will say is nobody informed her and she has no comment.
"And while contrary to what he suggests, the revenues to central government from financial service to date remains robust and tourism figures continue to rise ever since my government took office," said Premier Smith, who also noted that the decision not to fund the Development Fund to the level done for the same period in 2012 is a matter of cash management, "and nothing more”.
Hardly anyone works there.
I believe it is a her, would bring yourself down o her level. Stand still.
I am sure none of the board members in CCT are in the legislatue and ths some are VIP supporters. I am equally sure that CCT is not the only local or private company to let off workers, nor wil it be the last. Each compny needs to take whatever measures are needful for its survival.
One of these governments must address the size of the civil service. VIP refused to do. To date NDP has not done so but choosing rather to increase other fees, but is now the next government will have no choice
But to address it.
People need to regularise themselves and take proper measures to adopt to the changes in the economy by eliminating all the excessive spending because neither NDP nor VIP can fix this situation. This is a world crisis; we need to pray and stop the fighting.
Wow! Correct me if I'm wrong........Isn't the Director of CCT the same man who will be hosting a seminar coming soon with Lisa Nichols and others about how to make businesses successful?!
Interesting reasoning they are giving.
To compete they would have to have staff that understands the business and of course money.
They were already a small company which makes this very confusing.
NDP or any government in power should be very concerned ...
Unemployment is on a serious rise ...
LIME too has reduce much over several months and is no longer "the it" place to work
Do we see why Digicel should of never been allowed in this small market?
Where is this local company going to find more experienced people? is this a sign of 100% local requesting 100% work permits???
Best wishes to the "sacked" CCT workers. I had noticed the drop in quality of service from a while, but no answers were forthcoming. Now we know.
WHEN I COME WALK IN TO CCT WE NEED TO SEE GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT LIKE WALKING TO CCT, DOES ANYONE WORK AT THIS FRONT STATION, I REMEMBER WHEN CCT WAS A FULL STAFF, NOW ITS LIKE 1 OR 2 CASHIERS, ON THE MAYBE 2 OR MOST OF THE TIME ONE PERSON, THATS A NEGATIVE FOR ME.
AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WID CCT, IF U LET OFF THE PEOPLE FINE BUT U ALLEGEDLY GO CUTTING THEIR LINES THEY HAVE WID U COME ON HOW LOW IS THAT. THEN I AM ONE LESS USER U HAVE AN I HOPE THE TREND CONTINUE TILL U LIQUIDATE EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND. WHEN U ALL USE TO R*B PEOPLE WID U ALL 75cent a minute call and both users getting charge, I didn't call the person but I loosing money of my phone too. WHAT THE HELL U AL DO WID ALL THAT MONEY U T*K* FROM PEOPLE
Who own Biwater, poor blacks? J@ck@$Z lolol
SHOW NO LOYALTY TO NO COMPANY because they will not show any to you. You give them HOURS of your life, you sacrifice your time that you can NEVER get back. And when the time comes they will replace or get rid of you because it's what's best for THEM and the BUSINESS. Not the people that help build it. GET YOUR PAY for this very DAY
NOTHING is wrong with the economy but something is wrong with the people. Every project or development put forward you all say NO! Why? You all get comfortable sitting in AC behind a desk on FB and other bull@#$%t all day while getting a salary. Only now that life gets real will people start realizing we need to support the Government push to get new business in here and provide employment. That's the problem. It's not the economy, it's the backward people who think their job would last forever so leave things as is. WRONG!!!!
Just look over your shoulder at the state of the country regarding Crime, Corruption, Poverty, Judiciary, Policing, Economics.
Tortola is in ah MESS.
This has nothing to do with Dr. Smith. People seem to think that he is running investment club. He is a shareholder like everyone else. However…. People like Me**e., and Dr. Van......hmmm never will I pratronize their business again. Our own locals are sinking us. Mrs. Penn hmmmm… all I will say is karma is a ______.
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