WASA union gives 21 day strike notice
It’s a government operated service that may be next on the privatization list. Today the Water and Sewage Authority is under some union heat for trying to trim its staff. On Friday, 16 employees received letters informing them that their services are no longer required. The employees, who come from Benque Viejo, Orange Walk, Punta Gorda and San Ignacio, are meter readers, field workers, accounts clerk and office supervisors. The Union does not agree with the termination and says the decision made by management is a gross violation of WASA and the union’s collective agreement.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
“Was the union given any reasons as to why these people were terminated?”
Russell Young, President, WASA Worker’s Union
“Well on Friday the CEO called myself and the vice president and informed us that 16 of the employees have been terminated due to reorganization. We asked them what reorganization? We do not know. When was this reorganization carried out? How it was carried out? Why these specific people names were chosen? He said just due to reorganization.”
Jacqueline Woods
“We spoke to Harry Bennett, the public relations officer. He told us the reason why they had this reorganization is due to gross inefficiency.”
Russell Young
“Presently that’s the first I’ve heard of that, no reason or explanation was given, just reorganization. Because for example, if gross efficiency and reorganization and whatever, we go to PG and only one person was left in the office, the cashier clerk all the office staff were terminated. So I don’t see how it come to gross efficiency.”
Jacqueline Woods
“You all are saying that WASA management did not comply with a collective agreement that for a termination to occur, as I understand it, both the union, and the management must agree on that. And that you guys must be consulted on the issue, but according to the union, you all were never consulted.”
Russell Young
“We were never consulted, we were just called in on Friday and were given this verbally by the CEO. We asked them there and then for the letter of termination. Because coming in from the districts, the members who have been terminated have already faxed in, so we know about the termination before management even called the meeting with us on Friday.”
Jacqueline Woods
“According to WASA’s management Russell, they only received one letter from the union and they are stating that that letter did not specifically refer to any agreement that may have been broken.”
Russell Young
“Well as I’ve mentioned in the press release, you can see it right there, it states Article 17, F and G.”
Jacqueline Woods
“But the letter that was shown to us, that was sent to WASA’s management did not refer to any Article 17.”
Russell Young
“No it just said at the dishonouring of the agreement, just dishonouring of our agreement. And it was told to management verbally in the meeting on Friday because on Friday we asked them for the letter of termination. They say they will not give it to us until Monday because at that time, we got to understand that the manager was delivering the termination letter to the people in the districts.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So although it wasn’t written in this letter, that was sent to them, it was verbally told to them in that meeting.”
Russell Young
“Yeah. We told them it was a direct violation of the union agreement. No one can be terminated unless the union and management sit down and must agree. So if there was a reorganization of the department due to gross efficiency, why wasn’t the union consulted? This takes everyone by surprise.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What’s the next step?”
Russell Young
“Well the next step with this 21 days notice, we’ll see what’s the management’s next move or the government’s next move cause we are ready to go to the highest level it takes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So at the end of 21 days if nothing is addressed, what happens?”
Russell Young
“Then the strikes come down. The strike will come down.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And how many people are willing to go one strike?”
Russell Young
“Well we have about 96…93-94% membership and I’ve received calls all over from the districts just say the word.”
Young says the union should have been informed by management if the company was experiencing any financial problems and about the reorganization. Young says because WASA violated the collective agreement signed between WASA’s management and the union, they want all 16 employees to be reinstated. Bennett says they plan to meet with the union soon.
