As many as 30 jobs could be on the cutting board at the Bermuda Telephone Company this year, but for now there are only 15 jobs on the line if proposed changes to the company’s current operating structure go to plan.Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert confirmed the BIU has known about the plans for some time. BTC chief executive officer Lloyd Fray told The Royal Gazette on Friday that BTC met with the BIU about the proposed changes last November.“This was the latest in a series of talks between the BIU and the management of BTC regarding the current organisational structure and the changes needed to transition BTC from a traditional landline based telephone company,” he said.“Three years ago the Key Tech Board chairman, Dr James King, KeyTech CEO, Sheila Lines and then BTC CEO Francis Mussenden met with staff to discuss the new strategic direction of the company and its impact on staffing levels and the skill sets needed to transform the company.“The landline business in Bermuda has followed the global trend and is declining rapidly. At that time Dr King told employees that if BTC did not change its revenue models and adapt, BTC could be facing bankruptcy in as few as five years.“Following the conclusion of the most recent talks, BTC updated its staff members in a town hall meeting. The information focused on the 2012 strategic direction and the latest rounds of staff cuts.As discussed with the BIU, there would be a cut of 30 percent of the BIU’s membership. This figure was to include persons who had in previous months chosen to voluntarily separate from the company and would be carried out in a phased approach. Union officials were present at all meetings and assured its membership that the two parties were working together for the best possible outcome.”When asked for his views on the plan, BIU President Chris Furbert told The Royal Gazette: “I can confirm that the BIU has had talks with management since late last year, and with the understanding that they are looking to make about 30 percent of our members redundant, which translates into about 30 workers. We have about 105 in the BTC-BIU division.“The first talks had to do with 15 jobs across the board. Then BTC came back several weeks later and said they need to shed at least 30 percent of our members. This was of great concern because we are concerned about the stability of the company and the service they provide to their customers.When asked for his reaction to BTC’s statement, Mr Furbert said: “Management have had some town hall meetings with the staff to discuss BTC’s business strategy for the year 2012 and beyond. They’ve had five meetings with most division members between January 24 27, and the next step is for management to get back with the BIU by the end of the month or early February.“I would say the meetings were at the advice of the BIU because we told management they need to discuss business plan with our members. The way forward would appear that management believes they need less workers. I don’t agree with that because it’s going to definitely cause problems with providing a service to the customers and it will also cause more workers being out of work.“You would have to be concerned about the workers’ point of view and the need for steady employment which is also a factor in the economic scheme of things, especially during a recession.”