Municipal workers continue industrial action in earnest

Sep 04, 2012 News

– Maintain “Sooba must go”

By Abena Rockcliffe

For two consecutive months, municipal workers have been protesting against late payments, but those protests ended once cheques had been issued. However, yesterday workers continued industrial actions even though cheques have been issued as they claim “the many issues are overbearing.”
Several municipal entities were on go-slow yesterday while others were completely shut down as peeved workers took to the sidewalk outside the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
Market gates were closed early yesterday morning, but as the day progressed some were opened, while day care and health centres controlled by the municipality remained closed.
Children were even sent home from Dorothy Bailey Health Centre on South Road Nursery Day Care as most staffers were absent.
The sections officially on strike include the health clinics, day care centres, mechanical workshop, markets, stone depot, public relations and cleansing department.
This newspaper understands that the staff of the Georgetown municipality will be part of the industrial action with the support of the two representing unions.
The general concerns expressed by demonstrators pertained to the issuing of their benefits such as meal and uniform allowances that have been stalled for quite some time and the removal of the acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba.
Placards erected indicated that the workers have “no faith” in Sooba’s ability to effectively manage the Town Clerk’s office in their interest. Some referred to Sooba as a “dictator” as she seems “not to have time with what we think or feel… She just telling you what to do.”
The Town Clerk’s appointment was initially met with much controversy as she was not on the list of suggested replacements submitted to the Ministry of Local Government by M&CC.
However, the Ministry has since remained firm in its decision of appointment.
As protesters yesterday questioned Sooba’s qualification to act as Town Clerk and the unions have echoed similar concerns, Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud has stated that they do not have the authority to question appointments made by his ministry.
He has since asked for anyone knowing the standard qualifications for the acting position of Town Clerk to come forward with such information.
“I am interested, anyone knowing the relevant qualification for the position of acting Town Clerk should come forward,” appealed Persaud.
Union representatives have informed that Sooba has continuously refused to meet with them to discuss concerns of workers, as some claim harassment.
The workers union and other members of the council have condemned Sooba for her move to send Public Relations Officer Royston King on leave.
This newspaper understands that cheques were being issued since last Friday when the demonstration started.
Yesterday, workers also called for payment of overtime and protective gear for the various departments. However, overtime payment has been an issue since addressed in Ramon Gaskin’s report. The report stated that the overtime claims seem “quite improbable.”
The report states “the situation with regard to overtime is nothing short of a racket perpetuated by workers and supervisors in certain departments. In one spectacular case, a worker was paid overtime (double pay) for 17 hours on each of four Sundays together with an additional 140 hours (at1 ½ times)- a total of 346 overtime hours one month- quite improbable…”
Chairman of the implementation committee, Keith Burrowes, had indicated that he is unaware why payments were stalled as he recently secured a $40M extension on a bank overdraft for City Hall. Burrowes stated that the money is enough to pay Council workers.
Some municipal services remained at a halt yesterday and the protest is set to continue today.

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Municipal workers continue industrial action in earnest

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