SSA workers back to work

The scores of Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) workers at the Wildey St Michael depot who took part in a two-day strike have agreed to return to work and allow management and their union to negotiate.

This agreement was reached after Minister of Environment and Natural Beautification Adrian Forde, chairman of the SSA Ramon Alleyne and other management officials met with deputy general secretary of the National Union of Public Workers’ (NUPW) Wayne Walrond and other union delegates at the Wildey location.

On Monday and Tuesday workers who normally clock in for 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. shifts refused to carry out their duties as they demanded wage, hazard pay and washing allowance increases and protested against alleged ill treatment by management.

Walrond assured the workers that the NUPW would get the opportunity to thrash out the “vexing issues” with management by Friday, noting that while it was impossible to give guarantees on all the issues raised, the union was sure there would be some level of success.

“We are just trying to ensure that the process is adhered to but everything is not in your control when you negotiate. You are looking for the best outcome but you cannot give guarantees for every exact thing, but we remain positive that we will get some good results when we consult on the issues with the workers,” he said.

Walrond said the union’s main concern was the low morale of staff. It was important for the workers to be treated with dignity and respect, he said.

“People need to understand that regardless of who you are, workers come first. They are the most important assets and you’ve got to treat them the best way you can, bringing the human face to managing,” Walrond added.

Meanwhile, Chairman Alleyne said that based on the discussion he had with staff on Tuesday there seemed to be a lack of communication regarding some of the agreements that were made between management and the union.

“I put this down to an unfortunate issue of miscommunication and that is clearly the position as understood in our discussions with the workers,” he said.

Forde said workers must meet Government halfway when the administration extends its hand in support of them.

As it relates to the petition calling for the head of general manager Janice Jones, Alleyne said the SSA operated within the “bounds of proper employment practices” and that a discussion to remove a worker could not occur because of a complaint.

“That is not how we operate but relative to any complaint, there is always another side to the story and an assessment that has to be made. I have heard the workers, in terms of the matters they have raised and the concerns and I am committed to making an investigation into all elements.”

Meanwhile, Walrond said that the union was also committed to taking the petition under consideration in the negotiation process and it would be a subject of discussion during the meeting.

The petition addressed to the chairman of the SSA and the workers stated: “We have lost confidence in Ms Janice Jones to lead the affairs of the Sanitation Service Authority and inspire us as workers to give of our best and feel motivated about our work.”

However, it appears that not all of the workers are in support of ousting the GM. A circular obtained by this paper suggested that Jones has some workers in her corner.

According to the document: “She is trying to stop the pilfering of diesel from trucks. She is trying to prevent people paying officers to dump waste water . . . She is trying to put a stop to workers taking sick leave and driving minivans . . . She is trying to reduce the selling of gloves and masks by the boxes . . . She is just trying to get the authority working properly and reduce the cost to Government. Blame Ms Jones for working . . .” the document stated. (SZB)