Lifeguard in distress

THE EDITOR: At the end of it all, I may have some people liking me and some disliking me. The reality at the end is that everyone will not be pleased with the things I may say or do, but I most certainly will be. In June 2001 a few lifeguards (seven) in Tobago were given an additional duty to prepare time sheets at their respective beaches (work centre). This arrangement was one made between the Administrator, Division of tourism, Transportation, Enterprise, Development and Settlements and the said Lifeguards. The criteria used for selection is still questionable, however they were given authorisation letters which also stated in part that “For the performance of this additional task you will be given two increments in your grade” and these lifeguards were referred to as “Senior Guards.”

Bearing in mind that this arrangement had nothing to do with the CPO or the NUGFW it was accepted by the lifeguards and things were running supposedly smoothly until October 31, 2003. I say supposedly since most of these lifeguards claim that they have not been paid for this additional duty whilst the Lifeguard Supervisors whose duty is to prepare the said time sheets among other things are smiling or even laughing their way to the bank. During 2001 to 2003 I worked on a few beaches in this “Senior Guard” position whilst they (the senior guards) were on vacation and I have been paid for such duty. The amount that was paid is however questionable since I was never given a pay slip reflecting such.

After November 1, 2003 with the implementation of the reclassification for daily rated workers within the government, payment for this additional duty was stopped. The major reason given was that with the reclassification exercise, there was no longer increment so we can’t be paid. What utter rubbish. We were told things like check with your union etc. How could the union be consulted on a matter it had nothing to do with in the first place? If the means used to measure payment for the additional duty was increment and the increment was removed, it is simply logical for the Tourism Administration to find another means and continue to make the payments to the lifeguards for doing this additional duty or have the Lifeguard Supervisors do their jobs.

In February 2004 I was posted to Castara beach to work as the  “senior guard.” I was however never given any written authorisation only verbal instructions. One may say how stupid of me, but I made ample preparation for both expected and unexpected eventualities. Realising that I was not being paid for this additional duty and upon making further inquiries, I was assured by my supervisor that we will be paid. It is now January 2005 and neither my co-workers nor I have been paid. I have since informed my supervisors that I am no longer interested in this additional duty for which they are getting paid and for which it seems like the Tourism Administration has no intention paying us for this additional duty.

My supervisor has started coming to Castara to prepare the time sheets, but he does so two days late and this can have a great effect as to whether we at Castara or even all the lifeguards in Tobago get paid on time for our normal duty. I am alone in this venture it seems, since my co-workers who perform this additional duty seem to be afraid of losing their jobs and continue to do this additional duty for nothing, or should I say for an opportunity to make a trek to the office once per fortnight to bring in the time sheets and have a free day, or give themselves extra privileges as “Senior guard.” There will soon be the coming of new posts for lifeguards. These posts will be duly authorised with their respective descriptions and the required qualifications. The post of “senior guard” is not one of these posts. What would you do then?

TREVOR JAMES
Lifeguard Bon-Accord Tobago