Philipsburg:--- Windward Islands Airline (WINAIR) a St. Maarten based company is in financial crises, this is according to the Prime Minister of St Maarten, the Honarable Sarah Wescot Williams. In an address given via the St Maarten media, PM Williams disclosed that that the committee that was put together to look into the matters facing WINAIR has submitted their reports and she is expected to meet with the members of the committee to discuss the proposals they offered.It was noted that the challenges and difficulties being by the airline continues to deteriorate. This is according to well placed sources within the company which have already resulted in job cuts among ground, administrative and pilot staff. The airline as a result of its financial challenges, have seen some of their routes being cut.
However, while reports from the company's Managing Director, Edwin Hodge has pointed to continuous financial challenges, a number of employees have levelled allegations against him stating that his micro managing of the airline and wanton spending has further placed the ailing airline in deeper crisis.
"Almost every week Eddy is here, there and everywhere flying and no one knows where he is going to as he seems reluctant to let the staff know what is happening.. What purposes is he attending but while the staff are being placed under enormous challenges and unfair working conditions, you can see him flying all over the globe with no report or information being given to us the staff," a evidently peeved employee disclosed.
The employee further alleged that speaking out on issues within the company leads to discrimination and victimisation. "When one speaks out he (Edwin Hodge) is quick to fire and or suspend that employee for no apparent reason and this is not fair, but I guess that because he is in charge he feels that he can do as he likes. He has to recognise that people will not always agree with him," the employee said.
Prime Minister Williams also said besides meeting with the members of the committee she intends to meet with the management of WINAIR to discuss the current situation of the company which she said needed urgent attention.
It was pointed out that the Prime Minister made it very clear that she is not satisfied with how the company is being managed and stressed that urgent and decisive actions will be made so as to ensure that it functions at a professional level. However, this media house learnt that in desperate attempts to increase the company's almost empty coffers it has sought to execute a number of promotions. The source further alleges that some of the promotions are being executed at a time when it's very difficult to ascertain the viability and sustainability of the airline. " They have the promotion as being advertised in the Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda markets but no one knows how long this company will continue to operate in these islands as evidence are there that the markets are being considered for possible closure. It is unfair to be running these promotions without informing residents that they (WINAIR) may not be operating longer," the source stressed.
The source pointed out that some years ago residents in St Kitts were only told a few days before the closure of their route that WINAIR would no longer be flying here. This, the source declared resulted in a number of passengers having to be facilitated on LIAT because of the sudden closure. "I believe that we are heading back down the road like where we were some years ago when they suddenly closed the St. Kitts market and I trust that the residents of Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda are wise to know that the company is in a much worst situation and these two markets are likely to close suddenly too, so all caution should be exercised when purchasing tickets," the source stressed.
Some employees said that the Managing Director continues to remain tight lipped on the entire situation resulting in a number of employees being uncomfortable. "We only learn and become aware of things when people on the streets tell us as he (Edwin Hodge) is reluctant to speak," the evidently peeved employee said.
It was pointed out that when the Tortola, Dominica and St Kitts routes were being closed, the staff were only notified about three to five days prior to the closure. "They treated us with unprofessionalism as the MD had no courtesy in telling us what was happening and we received the brunt of the public negative comments because of the way that we were treated by him. You just can't treat your staff, especially your customers with disdain like that," the employee said.
They further noted that Hodge continues to be at logger heads with his pilots over what many claims is his unwillingness to facilitate their concerns and allow them to express their views and opinions on issues of grave concerns to them.
Sources said that resolving the animosity that currently exists among the management and employees would help especially solving the long standing dispute between Hodge and the pilots. "Hodge have to understand that without the pilots there are no company, also he must recognise that he cannot be jumping here, there and everywhere without justifying reason/s as to why he is going to these places. It is time that this man understands that he needs to treat us with some sort of respect," another inside source said.
The Prime Minister promised that when the discussion is over she will release more information to the media on the status of WINAIR. However, she admitted that WINAIR is facing some serious financial problems noting that the picture doesn't look good.
When contacted, Managing Director, Edwin Hodge in an email said that he will address the allegations being made against him. "...I can tell you now all are not true," he said via an email message sent.
However, while promising that an extensive response would have been given some two days ago nothing has been received.
