ATS downsizes
Air Terminal Services (ATS) has terminated the contracts of 20 workers as part of its downsizing plans as airlines around the world are grounded following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Those selected were all believed to be above 55 years old.
The workers were given their letters on Friday by the company.
One worker who spent his entire career at the Nadi groundhandling company said the executive decision was inevitable and he accepted it.
“I felt bad it had to end this way,” Dickson Mar, a mechanic from the engineering section said.
“I have been with ATS for the past 32 years and have no regrets.”
Mr Mar said his work at ATS enabled him to buy and pay off a house, educate his children and send them abroad.
“I accomplished almost everything that I wanted to do and thank the company for the work provided.”
Mr Mar said the termination was handled professionally by the company’s management. “Management met with the union which is the Federated Airline Staff Association (FASA), over the termination.
“Then our individual letters were given to our departmental managers who called us individually and spoke to us before giving our letters.
“I felt this was the right way to go about things.”
Mr Mar said he knew the day would come for such farewell.
“I knew the company’s financials were depleting because of the situation caused by COVID-19 and fully understand how things would turn out.
“I know some of those who were terminated did not take it lightly, but for me it was coming and now that it has been done, it’s time to move on,” Mr Mar said.
ATS CEO Hare Mani could not be reached for comment.
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