Rowley told, deliver on promises

Fire Service Association (FSA) President Leo Ramkissoon and Prison Officers Association (POA) President Ceron Richards held a joint press conference at the Besson Street Police Station in East Port-of-Spain to advance this position.

Ramkissoon stated that the promises referred to involved the settlement of arrears owed to officers of various arms of the protective services namely police, fire and prisons. He said although union heads have already agreed with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Housing, for certain considerations, the government has not kept up their end of the bargain.

“We did not come to a total settlement of arrears and the government came into agreement that of housing provisions for officers of the protective services will be met to treat with the settlement owed to officers of the protective services,” Ramkissoon said.

He said Minister of Housing Randall Mitchell gave an assurance that in keeping with government policy, ten percent of government housing will be allocated and shared among officers of the protective services.

However, Ramkissoon said government has not adhered to this assurance for some time.

“Officers of the protective services have been patient and very understanding given the economic realities.

But the government gave certain assurances such as the formation of a Joint Services Housing Committee to ensure some manner of equity and fairness.

We are still waiting on this.” Ramkissoon said that provisions were also made to allocate officers living in high risk areas would have been treated with urgency. This too, has not been forthcoming.

“Today, we are very much disappointed because it is quite clear to us there is no genuine attempt by the Minister of Housing to make any provisions to treat with the needs of officers of the protective services.

We are in a position now where we must consider how to go forward. The minister is playing games and we are not going to tolerate this,” he said. For his part, POA head Richards said his members are fed-up with the deception.

“We are fed-up with the promises of allocation for housing and these promises not materializing.” Richards said the unions within the protective services are calling on Prime Minister Rowley as chairman of the National Security Council to deliver on promises and assurances given by his ministers.