SLM execs accuse union of spreading fake news
The executives at the national carrier, Surinam Airways (SLM), recently condemned the manner in which they were criticized by the union, BP SLM, last week. They claim that the union gave the wrong information to the nation. “Fake news,” said SLM’s CEO Gerard Lau. The chief executive officer and the other executives no longer deem the union officials trustworthy.
The management team at SLM on Tuesday held a press conference to address the closure of Residence Inn Paramaribo and the severance pay for the workers. Lau and Financial Director Steve Silos pointed out that management ended the work relation with the personnel at
Residence Inn during good consultations. “It hurts a lot,” said Silos as he referred to the attitude of the union regarding the severance pay for the workers at Residence Inn. Silos claim that the officials from the PB SLM were involved in the entire process but that the attitude of the management team changed after several things had been finalized and parties had reached an agreement. The C-47 labor union federation was called to get involved and people created the impression that the workers at
Residence Inn had been pressured into accepting the severance pay deal. Lau pointed out that the Residence Inn issue and other things that have nothing to do with Residence Inn were reason enough for him to look at the union led by Robby Maaijen suspiciously.
Lau explained that management is sticking to a plan aimed at making the SLM healthy again within the next three years and that several unpopular measures will be taken as part of the plan. The CEO assured that when there are lay-offs, the workers will not be forced to accept the severance deal. Both parties will reached an agreement through consultation. For now there are no plans to lay off the workers at other subsidiaries of the SLM.
The SLM reportedly has superfluous personnel and will seek a solution to this issue. The union reportedly claimed that the shareholder has ordered management to shut down the SLM. “That is also fake news,” said CEO Lau.