After withdrawing cleaning services from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last week, the owner of Stain Masters Services and Products says he is willing to negotiate with the airport, but it must be willing to meet his company half way.
Anthony Noble told Stabroek News that the decision to withdraw the company’s services from the airport came after they failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.
A notice was issued by the CJIA stating that the cleaning company had withdrawn its services, effective last Friday at 4.30pm. The notice, published in the Sunday Stabroek, said that CJIA Corporation considers the summary withdrawal of cleaning services a “fundamental breach of contract.” However, Noble said the company had a six-month contract with CJIA, which ended on March 16, 2017.
He added that the agreement between the cleaning company and CJIA stated that there should be 30 persons per three shifts. Having a total of 54 persons on staff, Noble highlighted that instead of providing three shifts, his company provided five with about 16 to 23 staff per shift. This, he stated, was done according to the demand. He added that his company would attempt to supplement staff with modernised equipment.
Noble related that he had sent a letter last Thursday to CJIA, indicating that the contract had ended and requesting that they formulate an interim agreement until a proper one was put together.
After the letter was sent, Noble added, an ultimatum was given to CJIA—either amend the terms of the original contract or the company would pull its services after giving two weeks’ notice.
What broke the camel’s back, a seemingly frustrated Noble related, was the fact that CJIA sent the company an invoice, which was seen by the newspaper, for $1.3 million for ID cards, which allowed the cleaning company’s staff access into restricted areas. The invoice was dated April 30, 2017.
Noble noted that he did not mean to cause the airport any embarrassment and that he had to make a business decision. The decision, he said, caused him to lay off about 10 workers and transfer 14 to other locations.
Noble stated that the company is willing to renew the contract with CJIA only if there is a sit down and the airport’s management would meet them half way.
He reiterated that he just wanted CJIA to allow the company to do its job and pointed out that although the airport was in a deplorable state prior to Stain Masters taking on the contract, it was prepared for the task at hand.
Stabroek News was unable to contact management at CJIA in relation to the matter.
