Union urges PM not to fill executive jobs

The labour union and employees of Thai Airways International have petitioned the prime minister to keep on ice two controversial posts that would create new airline executive vice presidents.

The union said the positions would be a burden on the company which faces hard times due to the recession.Filling of the two jobs - one overseeing strategy and plans and the other supervising products and customer service - was earlier suspended, pending the selection of new qualified candidates.

THAI labour union chairperson Jaemsri Sukchoterat said the plan to fill the posts now came at the wrong time.

She said the two jobs would only burden THAI, which has suffered losses and is undertaking cost-cutting.

The union earlier asked the THAI executive board, chaired by Wallop Bhukkanasut, to reconsider the plan but their request fell on deaf ears, she said.

The board agreed on July 24 to push ahead with the plan.

"This structuring plan should be delayed until the new company president takes office in two months so that he will consider it carefully to avoid making mistakes," said Ms Jaemsri.

Meanwhile, Sompak Somsakul, who represents the "Rak Kan Bin Thai" (Love Thai Airways) group, said his group yesterday sent a petition letter to Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum to review the planned appointment of the executives.

If the ministry does not respond to its demand, his group will ask the Administrative Court to order a freeze on the board's decision to fill the two posts.

Mr Sompak questioned Mr Wallop's role in the issue. He said Mr Wallop earlier agreed to listen to their request, but later ignored it.

THAI has already encountered many problems and been forced to cut costs. It could do without any more unnecessary financial burdens. The morale of the company staff is low, he said.

Each position would cost THAI at least 400,000 baht a month in salary as well as perks and allowances, said Pijit Roysirikul, a member of the group.

But Mr Wallop said yesterday the board would not review the plan. He insisted the appointments would not affect the company's financial status.