Port estate police under attack by management

“As far as we view, what is happening is a wilful and well orchestrated plot to undermine the Estate Police, and continue to lower their morale. There were packages being offered by banks, that we could not take part in because we have not been paid. Every other association on the port has negotiated and have been paid for the period but our General Manager is only pussyfooting and titivating with us.

We feel that we are being used, abused, misused, confused and refused by the management at the port.” said the Secretary of the Estate Police Association yesterday, after yet another meeting with management at the port without any resolution.

Newsday was told that since the 2008- 2011 period, Estate Police have been trying to negotiate salaries and benefits, however, it has remained at a standstill.

Newsday was told that negotiations were conducted for several aspects of their payment agreement, which includes remuneration for non-cost items like vacation times and uniforms but they have not come to an agreement.

Estate police even offered to have the agreement from the 2008- 2011 period roll over to the other periods, solely to expedite negotiations, but even that was met with resistance.

Newsday understands when the current branch board led by president Franklyn Richards, came into power they realised that negotiations have been at a standstill for a number of years. A memorandum of agreement was signed between management and the estate police with regard to cost items. The board then sought to re-open negotiations of non-cost items and were yesterday prepared to sign another agreement but instead of agreeing to maintaining the agreement that they had since 2008, management came to them with a counter-offer.

President of the association Franklyn Richards yesterday said that they are not being taken seriously by management.

“This management does not care and is not taking security on the port seriously. This is an indication why there are so many problems at the port. They are not serious, and that is why everything is falling down around them. Simple things that we request, we are being denied. We are a disciplined organisation that has matured over the years. We have been silent for more than 70 months. We cannot stay quiet any more.”