The Bermuda Telephone Company has made 20 positions redundant as part of its restructuring process and following discussions with the unions over the past few weeks, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

BTC announced the initial job cuts back in March, with Francis Mussenden, president and CEO of BTC, telling this newspaper that the telecommunications company would be restructured with some positions no longer required and new roles created as a result of the impact of the economic downturn and increased competition.

Late on Friday, Mr. Mussenden said that after talks with its union partners, it had decided to make the 20 positions redundant in the outside plant, premises management and administration departments. Of the 20 posts, six people have been redeployed in other roles within the company, he added.

"BTC has benefited from technological improvements; these improvements have also created new posts, which have been filled internally," he said. "We trust that these improvements will lead to corresponding improvements in customer service."

His sentiments were echoed by Sheila Lines, CEO of KeyTech.

She said: "The restructuring process and the resulting staff changes are as a result of BTC's continuing realignment of its business model to ensure continued competitiveness in the current economic climate."