Trinidad Express downsizing alarms regional media workers

The Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union has pledged to challenge any breaches of labour law after the Trinidad Express announced plans to cut positions within its newsroom as part of a restructuring exercise.

The proposed changes would reduce the editorial department from 33 workers to 26, according to information provided to the union by the newspaper. Employees expected to be affected include two sub editors, one-night editor position that is slated for redundancy, and four reporters stationed in Port of Spain and San Fernando.

In correspondence sent to staff last Wednesday, BIGWU sought to reassure workers unsettled by the development.

“We deeply understand that this is an incredibly tense and distressing time for everyone. Facing the threat of job losses strikes at the very heart of our livelihoods and our families,” the union stated.

It added: “We want to assure you in no uncertain terms: your Union is actively seized of this matter.”

The union warned that the company would be required to comply with all legal obligations tied to retrenchment and restructuring.

“While the company frames this as a ‘proposed restructuring review,’ strict legal procedures must be followed under the law. We will hold management fully accountable to those legal frameworks,” BIGWU said, noting that its executive was examining the proposal before issuing a formal response.

The latest move comes amid continued financial pressure within the media industry. Earlier this month, parent company One Caribbean Media reported after tax profits of TT$4.36 million for the quarter ending March 31.

In the company’s May 7 financial statement, chairman Faarees Hosein said the Trinidad media sector remained challenged by weak advertising revenue, although some recovery signs had emerged. He said the group was pursuing cost reductions, structural adjustments and expanded multimedia services aimed at long term sustainability.

The proposed layoffs follow months of upheaval across regional media houses. In January, Newsday shut down operations, leaving 60 workers unemployed after liquidators from Ernst and Young took control of the company’s affairs.

Last year, Digicel Group closed its Loop digital media platform and regional sports broadcaster SportsMax, affecting more than 100 employees across the Caribbean.

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