Deon P. Green, Gleaner Writer

Morris

LONDON, England: Jamaican-born, British renowned trade unionist, Sir Bill Morris, says the secrecy surrounding the reported sale of Air Jamaica's route, landing slot and air space to Virgin Atlantic Airline is not good for labour relations as it damages credibility.

In an interview with The Gleaner Sir Bill stressed that "silence is damaging. They (the Government) need to come clean and do so quickly."

According to the trade unionist, there has been dialogue being reported for some time and workers and loyal passengers of Air Jamaica should be told what is happening. It has been reported that the airline will make its final daily scheduled flight out of London on October 27.

Said he: "The development is clearly an economic decision. The government needs to have openness and transparency as the Jamaican taxpayers are the shareholders."

He continued that "it is not the way to conduct industrial relations and (maintain) worker loyalty. There is the need for an open and frank statement to be made on the decisions taken or to be taken."

first to be informed

While doubt surrounds the workers' knowledge of Air Jamaica's plans, Sir Bill said they should have been the first to be informed so that they could contemplate their future.

Sir Bill was elected general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union in 1991 and became the first black person in Britain to lead a union. He was knighted recently on the Queen's birthday.

Sir Bill was born in Jamaica in 1938 and holds the title Sir Norris of Hansworth in honour of the community in Birmingham that became his adopted home, having left Jamaica as a child.