M&CC workers agree to resume work Monday

Sep 08, 2012 News

By Abena Rockcliffe

After one week of strike action, workers attached to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) have agreed to return to work on Monday.
This decision was taken during a critical meeting between the Ministry of Labour, the representing unions and the Town Clerk (ag), Carol Sooba.

Mayor Hamilton Green

This newspaper understands that a “terms of resumption” agreement was signed. A meeting to address a reported 10 existing grouses is to be held Tuesday at City Hall.
The cash-strapped City Hall, responsible for the upkeep of Georgetown, has been battling corruption accusations and in-fighting amidst growing unhappiness by residents. Garbage woes have been on the front burner for some years now.
Mayor Hamilton Green, at a press conference Thursday, stated that he is backing the workers on strike, as it is a “struggle” for the betterment of the City. He said that the many issues at City Hall stems from way back and cannot all be easily corrected.
Green repeated claims that City Hall has been stifled by the government since 1992, noting that the Council receives no financial support from them.
There have been rumblings by the City Council over the government appointment of Town Clerk (ag), Carol Sooba. The argument is that she is not qualified. Government has insisted that it is none of the business of M&CC.
During the past few days of the strike, workers were accused of using alcohol on the premises and of verbally abusing Sooba. The workers are now being asked to give statements.
The workers from several sections of the M&CC began taking industrial action against yet another month of late payments. However, though cheques were issued since the day the strike began, the protest continued with more issues being raised; including a call for the removal of acting Town Clerk Sooba.
While workers say that they are also protesting against non-payment of overtime and uniform allowances, Sooba’s removal seems to be on the top of their request list
Yesterday, Sooba said that she is forced to have security with her at all times because she feels “harassed” by workers.
“Every time I go out, every time I come in, they are there in my face shouting ‘Sooba must go, Sooba must go.’ It is ridiculous.”
Sooba disclosed that yesterday morning she noticed some workers consuming alcohol in “those quarter bottles.”
“One come in me face and saying, you is sober but I drunk, but I had to go to a meeting with the Minister so I didn’t bother with him.”
“I really don’t know why they striking, it simply means that they wouldn’t get pay, but I don’t think they are thinking about the long run.”

Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba

A Union representative has since disclosed that the man who confronted Sooba while consuming alcohol is a former employee. “We encouraged discipline,” stated the representative.