Government orders SLM execs to talk to union

The government recently ordered the executives at the national carrier, Surinam Airways (SLM) to resume talks with the union. In mid September the management team decided that it would no longer talk to the union. Management pointed out that the union would first have to prove its trustworthiness due to statements that were made at a press conference. The union had reportedly criticized management strongly at its press conference. “I have encouraged management to resume communications with the union,” said Public Works, Transport and Communication Minister Patrick Pengel. Meanwhile the minister has also been informed about the strategic plan that the SLM executives want to carry out to make the company healthy again. Several unpopular measures that affected the workers and the size of the workforce were taken. The minister acknowledged that the union should be involved in this process. “Let me make it clear that problems cannot be solved by holding press conferences. We also reached that decision during the presentation of the business plan,” said Minister Pengel. The government made it clear that it still fully supports the new management team in its efforts to get the company out of financial problems. The union had reportedly sent a letter to the minister, explaining that management is violating labor rights within the company and that the union is not welcome. The minister explained that the government strongly believes that the new plan will yield positive results. “The important thing to us is the continuation of the company.”