Security guards return to work but deal not yet done

Today officers of Fort Point Security Services were back on the job after they went on a two-day strike, protesting new pay arrangements implemented by their employer. That system, claim the employees, not only caused late payments, but slashed salaries by significant margins. But while the officers feel their concerns will be addressed favourably, interim general manager of the company, Carmen Zetina, was not so sure.

Gilfred Magdaleno, Spokesperson, Fort Point Security Officers
“The management has settled along with the other agencies, the labour department that we’ll be working twelve hours and be paid fifty dollars each day.”

Marion Ali
“This includes overtime payment as well? You’ll be making overtime now?”

Gilfred Magdaleno
“Yes, we’ll be making overtime. That is on holidays. Any holidays we’ll be getting time and a half or in the case of any like Labour Day and Christmas Day we’ll be getting the double time.”

Marion Ali
“So this means that everything has now reverted back to where it was before you all went on strike? You’re now making the same take home pay check now as you were before.”

Gilfred Magdaleno
“Yes, that is being settled.”

Marion Ali
“Mr Zetina also said that you guys were collecting you pay for the fifteen days and then not showing up for work. so it’s like they’ve been paying you in advance and then you guys have been taking advantage of the system.”

Gilfred Magdaleno
“I don’t think so. I don’t think that is accurate because if we are getting salary and then someone miss they take it out of the next pay check. So I noh think that is accurate.”

Carmen Zetina, Ag. General Manager, Fort Point Security Services
“Nobody bend as far as I can see because we remain steadfast on what we had said about the new policy. We didn’t change that whatsoever.”

Marion Ali
“Is your cut off point still the tenth of the month.”

Carmen Zetina
“The way we discussed it with the labour department, it’s something that has to be done. How it’s going to be done is a matter that we yet to discuss with the labour department. I told the labour department the same—my position was the same. I gave them more pay, I managed to convince per hour. I don’t think that’s an issue. Maybe it’s amount that they cannot take away. Before they used to take like twice or triple time before.”

Marion Ali
“That is the problem, they’re take home at the end of the day is far less now. I mean, and that’s going against the rising price or cost of living.”

Carmen Zetina
“But the way we put it, Marion. Let’s face it, the way we put it.”

Marion Ali
“This is actually like a pay cut then.”

Carmen Zetina
“It’s not a pay cut. I am a disciplinarian and I don’t believe in irregularities. Since I took over we have since dismissed about twenty people already. People are used to a way of behaviour and I will not tolerate it. as I have explained to the labour officers yesterday, these people who have walked out without justification—I call it without justification—from the Tourist Village, came in the realm of being dismissed because they gave me reason for being absent from work.”

Marion Ali
“So they, will they be fired? Will you look at them now …”

Carmen Zetina
“No, no. I said look, in the security business you noh fire anybody yoh know, because this is an ongoing business. You terminate, you dismiss because of behaviour. Yes man, yes.”

Marion Ali
“They won’t be dismissed, that’s what I’m asking you, because of going on strike.”

Carmen Zetina
“Because of what they have done, no. But remember this, that you employ people. in other words, a security guard is not guaranteed an employment because you work, as I mentioned to you, on a backlines basis. What is needed, what is required, you employ people.”

Marion Ali
“Will they be paid for the two days they went on strike?”

Carmen Zetina
“No, that’s a definite …”

Marion Ali
“That is not the understanding they have.”

Carmen Zetina
“Well I don’t know where they got their understanding. My position is no. My position, they will not get paid. Who get paid is who work.”

Marion Ali
“What if the labour laws or the labour commissioner says you have to pay them because the condition on which they went on strike was really to stand up for their rights.”

Carmen Zetina
“Well I can’t see what right they had. I cannot see the rights they had. As I said, I cannot see how the labour commissioner can say that. I don’t see it within the law where they can say you have to pay them. No way, no way. You go on strike, teachers go on strike, do they get pay? Do they get pay? No. No pay, that’s the principle behind everything.”

This evening Acting Labour Commissioner, Hertha Gentle, told our newsroom that they have met with both parties and have advised the officers to go back to work while the investigations continue. The Department will then make recommendations to the company based on their findings. She did say that her office has informed the company that they cannot make any changes without first consulting with them. The final recommendations should be ready by Monday.