Union wants a review of watchmen’s hours

The island’s largest public sector trade union has called on the Mia Mottley administration to put on hold a new policy regarding the working conditions of Government-paid watchmen.

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) said on Thursday that even though the Ministry of the Public Service had increased the national minimum wages for watchmen in accordance with the law, there are still strings attached to the policy.

“The difficulty with this policy is that although the hourly rate has increased for the watchmen, the overall hours which their work have been reduced to the extent that they will end up with less gross pay,” the union said in a statement issued Thursday.

Watchmen usually work a 12-hour period six to seven times per week.

“Any variation in this contract should be negotiated with the NUPW to ensure that all issues are addressed and mutual agreement is secured through a process of negotiations,” the union contended.

“The NUPW has sought an urgent audience with the Ministry of the Public Service and is also requesting that the ministry direct all ministries, departments and state-owned enterprises to place a hold on this policy pending a satisfactory resolution on this matter.”

The union noted that in recent times it had been bombarded with calls from watchmen both in central government and state-owned enterprises about the change in the terms and conditions of their service that could result in them taking home less money.

Acting General Secretary of the NUPW Wayne Walrond could not be reached for further comment. (EJ)