C&W top executives go home

It is restructuring time again at Cable & Wireless.

And as a result, former employees: Anthony Regisford – Vice President Retail Services; Leslie Ferdinand – Vice-President Networks; Alphaeus Douglas – Networks; Anthony Norris – Finance; Idris Jocelyn – Retail Services; Desmarie Greenaway – Retail Services; John Melville – Networks; Jeannine Williams – Retail Services & Bernice Coombs – Finance, have been affected.{{more}}

Regisford and Ferdinand had each served the company for over 26 years. Other employees had served between 3 and 21 years.

SEARCHLIGHT has learned that employees affected were summoned individually to meetings with management on Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31, and were informed of the company’s decision.

A release issued by Cable & Wireless on Tuesday confirmed that as a result of the restructuring, some positions have been made redundant. It further stated that a limited number of the affected persons had requested and were granted voluntary separation.

According to the release, the new structure, which came into effect on April 1st, 2006, will have major functions merged and there will be a reorganization of workflows, processes and procedures. The aim of the company, it explained, is to increase efficiency, clarity, and accountability.

“With regards to the members of staff who have been affected, we have taken all necessary measures to ensure that our employees leaving are treated fairly and with sensitivity and dignity,” the release outlined.

It added that, in its thrust to continue to deliver high levels of service to its customers and to operate viably in the competitive telecommunications market in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it has decided to restructure its business. This restructuring has become necessary in order to bring about better cohesion, clarity and greater customer focus.

“Inasmuch as we regret doing so, this action was necessary in order to reduce our operating costs and bring about greater efficiencies. Our focus for the future is to create an internal business culture that facilitates continuous improvement and new leadership opportunities within the organisation,” said the Cable & Wireless press release.

Employees, the release disclosed, are the company’s key asset. However it must make certain changes if it is to remain competitive.

“Unfortunately this was one of the many measures and initiatives that we had to do to enhance our quality of service and our competitiveness,” the release indicated.