Union keeping tabs on repair work at ministry

The island’s largest public sector trade union says it is closely monitoring the pace of remedial work being carried out on the old Queen’s College buildings which now house the Ministry of Education.
Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Wayne Walrond said he hopes the repairs could be completed by the end of May as promised by authorities.
He said the union is concerned about the environmental impact which an extended period of repairs may have on the health and wellbeing of public officers.
“What the ministry is advancing is that maintenance can be done without having to look at alternative accommodation, and that it would be done soon. From our layman’s assessment, what we are seeing is a level of repairs that can last for an extended period. Therefore, we are monitoring cautiously whether this work can really be done in a very short time,” the union official told Barbados TODAY.
“Initially, we were advancing that based on the extent of dislocation, that they should look at alternative accommodation. But the ministry is insisting that they could finish the remedial work by the end of May, and therefore there would be no need to look at temporary relocation of staff,” he stated.
“From the union’s end, we are still watching cautiously…From the level of work we are seeing, we believe it may take longer, and therefore there may be a need for temporary accommodation,” Walrond asserted.
However, the acting general secretary promised that the NUPW will continue to watch the developments closely.
Walrond is concerned that coral stone buildings such as the former QC facilities, often present many environmental problems during repairs and maintenance. “There are problematic buildings. Some of them would have historical interest, but in reality, housing places of business, places of work…these kinds of buildings always cause environmental problems. So that is a long-term concern we have. It is really the source of contention,” he declared.
Walrond also highlighted some options which he contends can help significantly.
“What they need to do is to look to see if there is anywhere nearby so it wouldn’t be a long distance. If it is possible to do more remote work that could alleviate the problem. So that could be some of the options to look at,” the union leader stated.
(EJ)