It seems that a “business decision” by Digicel Play, formerly SAT Telecommunications, to outsource its entire media department to another media house CBN4 News, is not sitting well with employees.
One member of the team, who spoke to Dominica News Online on the condition of anonymity, is crying foul and describing the situation as “unfair.”
“We were suddenly informed by the General Manager that the news department has been outsourced to CBN4 News,” the employee told DNO. “Employees were told that if they choose to, they all have jobs at CBN4 starting on Wednesday 24th June 2015 and was guaranteed the same salary they were getting at Digicel Play.”
On Thursday Digicel Play formerly announced CBN4 News, “as a strategic partner to take over its Media Department 767 News.”
“Digicel Play Dominica (SAT Telecommunications) has outsourced its media operations to CBN4 Dominica in order to ensure that it receives the focus, expertise and support required so that it can continue to produce world-class and locally relevant content for customers across Dominica,” the company said in a release. “The media personnel will continue their employment with CBN4 Dominica seamlessly and with immediate effect – meaning there will be no impact to their contract or remuneration.”
The release quoted Digicel Dominica Acting CEO, Vivek Sharma, as saying, “We believe that with this partnership our media operations team is in the best environment to deliver top class programming for our customers in Dominica. It’s a great fit for all involved and an opportunity to create even more locally relevant and locally produced content.”
But according to sources, who spoke to DNO, employees believe the sudden announcement was unfair.
“Employees are of the view that this sudden decision is unfair as they had no time to seek other forms of employment and had it been an employee that wanted to resign, they would want a month’s notice,” one source said.
According to the source, the outsourcing was described by management to employees as a ‘business one’ and the media department was not something Digicel Play “wanted to move forward with.”
“All employees of the 767 News team are still shocked by this turn of events which is life changing for them,” the source stated. “Those who chose not to work at CBN4 will be basically unemployed.”
The source is of the opinion that the media team was not treated well.
“I felt like we were dealt with short end of the stick,” the source said when he received the news. “No one is happy. It was rather unfortunate!”
Another member of the team who spoke to DNO said, “They gave us some story last-minute, apparently everyone knew that we were being outsourced before we knew… but we are all being guaranteed a job there if we want to go.”
Meanwhile DNO has learnt that so far only one or two employees are interested in continuing with CBN4.
The media team consisted of a Media Manager, two camera men, three journalists, a Video editor, and a Social Media person.
Sources told DNO that one of the journalists, who was employed under the National Employment Program (NEP), was told that she could not be absorbed by Digicel Play and is now out of a job. Another employee, who worked in the Social Media department and who was on probation, was released minutes before a meeting which was held with the other permanent staff, to announce the decision.
Employees were told that all benefits from the company will cease and severance packages will be issued to each of them, according to the sources.
The media team is expected to move to Canefield, where CBN4 is located.
The event took place just about one year after Digicel acquired SAT Telecoms and Broadcasting Ltd.
CBN4 has been in operation since 2013. It offers online and television news. It also has a channel on local cable companies.
I guess Digicel don’t expect loyalty fro their employees. Do they know that in Ireland?
We need STRONG unions in Dominica,with militant working Force to stand behind the union bosses. This goes for both the Government and the private sectors. Remember in 1979 it was the Unions that Brought down the then Dominica Labor Party. The Civil Service Association at that time was the largest UNION, I do not know how it is called now, but it was most militant of the time. You want change fight for it, it does not necessarily mean to take up arms, your labor is your Arms. People FORM UNIONS, AND STAND WITH YOUR UNIONS. Don’t be afraid you will eat when you are out, in 1979 we ate the farmers saw the cause and fed the workers in the struggle. So, having said my piece, form Unions now or you may never get the chance again.You will never get everybody on the same mission, but work on it Unions are forces to recon with.
Well i just love to see Vanessa Jno charles on CBN4
attractive, i hope to make the news reporting better have a dream team of Vanessa, Nadira Lando and with Mandra Fagan as the sports reporter. This would be better than watching blues 
come on people, lets support our local, its about time we do
I doubt Digicel could treat their employees like this in their home country Ireland? Sharma, I have no respect for you.
You must be kidding. Companies do that all the time in developed countries. You show up for work and the doors are locked.
I had almost a similar situation years ago when we anticipated we would see a padlock on a company I worked for several years ago.
For security reasons companies cannot always give employees a lot of notice. There is the risk of people sabotaging company property.
Most times when you are terminated, they walk you out the door and mail your personal property to you. If anything companies tend to treat people more humanely in Dominica than in North America.
I see some people are saying that out sourcing is noreal and good. But is it with 2 days notice? Are the conditions the same or better than the previous? I believe in change, but only when it is good and males sense. In this case Digicel CERTAINLY DIDN’T MAKE ANY SENSE!!!
There are no other jobs to be had. But there certainly is unemployment. The corporations can shove you around any way that they want and you can either take it or leave it as far as they are concerned. The only way you get away from that is running your own business.
I think that this move is Good for business. Its time we Dominican start to support our LOCAL business heads and give them support. Stop act the fool and lets unity and strive for betterment.
Business as usual……people need to understand business has no emotions, things are always done in the best interest of the company. When the banks are waiting for repayment of business loans that has no emotions-:)
People hate change but that is the only thing that brings progress.
Look at it this way CBN4 is a local company that will benefit from this partnership and very possibly will have more loyalty to Dominicans than the foreign companies.
CBN4 a local company? So, who owns it then? All I know for certain is that the newsroom staffat SAT are local people, put out of a job without consultation or warning.
wait am lost…
they still have their job, at the same pay and effective immediately… the only thing that’s changed to their contract or remuneration. and they don’t think they were treated fairly.. Is this a joke?
every where in this business world you find any organization out source anything people go out the door and the only thing that is changing in your situation is the name of the organization you working for, your doing the same job you did with the same people you were doing it with.. and you the one that’s not being treated fearly?
Seriously you people need a wake up call…..
Totally agree with you. Small minded people. I understand probably you should have been given more notice but u still have a job, same pay, just different environment in terms of building and management… and ur crying? whilst others are still searching for a job… its like Dominicans are allergic to changes… GROW UP
Business do not usually give notice of termination. I have been there they call you in and tell you you are terminated that day. People would steal and distort company property if they knew they were goin yo be out of a job.
A corrupt country will always crumble,ant thats the start in dominica,lots more to come,no law cant make me skerro win an election.
Mamo et Al did it from 80-95- The northerner who was on stage & incharge ha his time on stage Rosie et Al to a lesser degree then came Neo -Labour an off shoot of the DFP in the DLP/DFP colition from Pierro’s death to this afternoon as I post.
I’m a bit confused. It seems like they had the option to work for the new company if they wanted and it was just a change in ownership their pay would be the same. If that’s the case I don’t know what they crying about. You making your same money. Unless Digicel Play office is Roseau and CBN4 news is Marigot. I see no problem here.
If they told them things would be fine then the new company didn’t hire them then that’s messed up.
Jane Dow!
You have to be dumb if you don’t see a problem. Just reading ur post clarified the problem even more to those of us who are poor in or received low grades in school in English comprehension.
Clue,& a hot hot hot one at that. One is in Marigot the other is in Roseau.Darrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Either you are suffuring from retardation in mid life a little on the early side but possible or U are plain Dunce Jane.
Not blaZing I meant. You have uttered your hypo comments many a time..
It’s not unusual you are confused.
I suspect is awaiting jane doe’s response that has the comprehension issue. Read what Jane said again esp the last part and you will see how stupid you are.
You are yet to state the problem smart one!
Welcome to the world of multinational. This is not the same old same old where people tend to mix emotion with business. These are businessmen/women who sit in a board room and decide what is best for the business.
We need to change our mindset otherwise we will continually be disappointed once senior management make business decisions.
Companies the world over make those decisions all the time. In Dominica we think companies can continue to bleed money with non-productive staff and survive until the end of time. I am in no way saying this is the case here, but we have to face the face that the first loyalty of management is to the shareholders of the compay. They put up the capital and take the risks. That is just the way it is and we need to get used to that new reality.
Well said Zandoli.
Private companies are certainly not the government. Efficiency and productivity are key.
I don’t know who is behind CBN4News, a cable network news channel, reportedly operating from Belfast, established in July 2013. There is however, a link with Tarnia Green, no stranger to self-promotion, who after 17 years with GIS, joined SAT in July 2014 as their media production manager (see DNO of 24 July 2014). She was intrumental in training the staff of CBN4News, together with London born Valley Fontaine, a suburban reporter with the BBC covering N.E. London, who has Dominican roots. I would not be surprise if Tarnia is connected with this move. I would love to know who the actual owners are of CBN4News, who put up the capital.
Good analyzing Magraysa! Look like Jamie is looking down on you. No longer with you and operating out of St.Kitts but from above lol! He taught you well after the Ben Johnson (and others) drug testing issues in the 80’& 90’s. You have improved. Why don’t you advise Neo-DLP/DFP’s Medard?
well considering this move won’t affect her hmmmmm
Outsourcing is not an issue it happens all over the business world. Companies work with strategic partners rather than having certain items in house and focus on their core business.
I am guessing those first two comments about CBN4 having the best quality news etc…are coming from two CBN4 employees. Oh please!!!
What Digicel did to their employees is wrong, disrespectful and so down low. Who says the employees wants to work at CBN4? It’s an ultimatum; take the job at CBN4 or be unemployed. They were not even informed long enough to choose their next form of employment. What a shame!!! Digi have $ to spend lavishly on uneccessary wants and can’t keep their media department. All the head of departments want a piece of the pie. They will run that place to the ground. As of today, I will no longer be a customer. Digi ain’t ready yet with that nonesense they’re doing. They’re outsourcing employees they had from since the time of SAT but ever so often they can hire young people for their Sales Team. The place ain’t too far from being a next Call Centre. To the employees who don’t have a job, hold strong in the Lord. Today is yours. Tomorrow is theirs!!!
Wasn’t Marlon in Britain for most of his early life? so he know the D/can brits on the board and elsewhere.
There goes the mix.
This nonsense continues to happen because employees are not united; they have not shown employers the power of unity. The rest of the staff should stand in solidarity with the Media employees. However, in Dominica, the plight of our neighbour does not concern us until the reality is at our own doorsteps. While an employer has the right to make business decisions there is also an obligation to be respectful to their employees.
Ask the current President how it’s done. 77-79 unions were STRONG more so CSA as Charlo.
Now he sits on the other side and Unions are weak .Lol! what a contradiction.
So the problem is Dominicans then, if one man dies the rest of the island is in limbo? Who is prevented the rest of the population to be anther Charlo? You all demonized him but you are still boasting his tactics? I hope nobody from the Salisbury riot will every vie for president.
That’s just rubbish out of all media houses Cbn4 really digi play have you read some their news do you know their reputation if you were aware of cbn4 you would have not outsourced your media department to them it is a given fact that every month people leave cbn4 because of the ridiculous conditions and unfair treatment…..you just had to feed Toussaint ego…..disappointed
P.S…….fix the crappy internet and cable service before all you decide to outsource another department
I certainly agree with the P.S. comment on the internet and cable service. You are lucky if they even answer the phone.
Crappy internet and cable for sure!
Definitely.
Their internet is janky. I am meant to have 8mps, but only manage – on a good day – to reach 4 or 5. Because of this, I am refusing to pay the full price until they fix up.
#ijs
i believe CBN4 has the best quality news when it comes to all the news Media here in dominica, i can understand the news is a bit shocking to you guys, for moving over there but look at it on the brighter side as self development.
My sentiments exactly.
true I was surprised I was like, a Dominican news agency that, nice nice
The best news! Do you read the news relayed by CBN4?. It may develop as a result of this move,, but at the moment the grammar and style of writing is atrocious. Sorry to say it so bluntly.
I agree, amateurs who have high opinion of themselves.
CBN4 News is the leading news network in Dominica. Digicel has great vision I foresee bigger things to come from CBN4.
Well, if its ‘ the leading news network in Dominica’ then help us Lord.
The newsreaders are terrible and the grammar on their news site is atricious.
Dominicans seems to like mediocrity.
Ah magwa sah! This is pure wickedness. I can’t understand why business people could treat their staff in that unfair manner. Alas poor pity
this is soooo sad!!!! pure disrespect!! how can they do this to people?
Gov’t is doing more and have been since 1980.
Shoddy, shoddy treatment. I am appalled. I s this how you treat your employees? Like the days of slavery when people were told from one day to the next they worked for someone else without say so. Isn’t there a legal obligation, contract, written or not between employer and employee? Simply shocking. Maybe they took their cue from the Public Works Corporation.
Meanwhile I am sure that mr. Sharma has a watertight contract with Digicel himself.