Mr Carroll said if all goes according to plan

Mr Carroll said if all goes according to plan, BTC employees will be briefed by company officials on the severance packages next Monday.

He added that he did not know how many of his members will accept the offers.
"It depends on each one's situation, it wouldn't suit everybody, we'll have some takers."

Although Mr Carroll was "shocked" by the terms of the packages - which were revealed exclusively by The Tribune last week - he said most of his members are happy with the union's negotiating tactics.

"My members when I spoke to them, the majority of them who talked to me say they are pleased with what we did and how hard we fought. That's all that matters, what my members think about it," he said.

For those who are confused about the details of the packages, help will be offered to sort out the particulars.
"There will be a forum for them to meet and people who need help will be afforded the help because some will not understand."

Cable and Wireless Communications, which purchased 51 per cent of BTC from the government in April, has concluded its negotiations with BCPMU and the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union, which represents line staff.

All employees at BTC under the age of 45 will be offered the chance to leave the company with a minimum of five weeks pay for every year on the job up to 104 weeks in total.
Employees 45 and under 50 will be offered the same five weeks per year up to a cap of 110 weeks, and people aged 50 but under 55 will be offered five weeks salary for every year of employment up to a cap of 75 weeks.

Those in the range from 55 years to 58.5 will receive the same offer up to a cap of 68 weeks, with persons ranging from 58.5 and under 60 will be pro-rated from 68 weeks based on the number of months remaining to the age of 60.
These packages, it was said by sources close to the matter, are expected to be offered to all employees with the expectation that BTC's current staff levels could be reduced by at least 400 people.

According to a presentation prepared for the company's executives, the report suggests no person in the age group 45 to 50 will receive less than six months incentive payment. In addition, the company appears to be willing to continue the cost of medical coverage payment for all age groups for one year, with outplacement/training services to be provided.