UPDATE ON STAND OFF WITH FIREFIGHTERS & TCIG

In the on going debate between TCIG & the CSA as mediators for the fire fighters the following is the latest to RTC News.

On Sunday March 11, 2012 at 3pm, the Interim Administration represented by CEO, Mr. Patrick Boyle, Mr. Mark Greenway and Mr. Peter White met with Fire Officers on Grand Turk and Providenciales who were represented by the CSA’s President, Vice President, PRO and Legal advisor. At the meeting, the issues relating to the continued strike action by the Fire Officers were discussed.

These issues are as follows:

1. The termination of the services of Fire Officers from TCIG without payment of severance as required by law.

2. The poor conditions of the office and working facilities in Grand Turk, Providenciales and the Family Islands. This is particularly the case in Grand Turk where officers are working out of a mole infested trailer without proper security and ventilation since 2008.

3. The allegations of poor management of the Fire Department

4. The lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the sharing of PPE, which poses significant health risks. Also the issue of PPEs being poorly maintained and insulated, putting Fire Officers at risk of significant injuries and death while attending to fires.

5. The lack of working equipment and vehicles which are poorly maintained and hence putting the lives of the Firemen and flight passengers at risk.

6. Lack of ongoing training of Fire Officers to maintain skills and competencies.

7. The poor remuneration of Fire Officers who are some of the lowest paid Civil Servants

8. The lack of risk allowances and inadequate insurance coverage for the vital and essential frontline employees who have a very high risk of injury.

9. The exclusion of Fire Officers from applying for the Voluntary Severance Package

10. Inter Alia

The issues were discussed in detail and the following decisions were made:

1. TCIG maintained that the termination of the services of the Fire Officers and their employment in TCIAA was off the table and would not be reintroduced by TCIG unless requested and discussed by Fire Officers and CSA.

2. With the above decision the payment of severance was unnecessary

3. The CSA and Fire Officers maintained that the transfer of the Aerodrome Fire Service to TCIAA was an excellent policy decision except for the non-payment of severance to those persons to be terminated. CSA indicated that it intends to reintroduce the subject of transfer of the Aerodrome Fire Service to TCIAA at a later date.

4. TCIG gave assurances that the following issues would be addressed expeditiously in the interest and wel-being of the Fire Officers and the safety of the officers and traveling public:

   1. As soon as possible (exact timeline to be agreed upon in follow up meetings), to provide proper safe working and office facilities that comply with accepted occupational health and safety standards.

   2. To address management issues within the Fire Department.

   3. To allow Fire Officers to apply for voluntary severance if they so desire.

   4. To provide adequate numbers of well-maintained and safe PPEs for use by Fire Officers thereby reducing their risk of injury and death.

   5. To provide appropriate work equipment and vehicles which are properly maintained thereby reducing the risk of injury and death to Firemen and the traveling public.

   6. To provide ongoing training for Fire Officers to maintain skills and competencies

   7. To make provisions for the re-grading of the salaries of Fire Officers as part of the general re-grading of Civil Servants and the payment of risk allowances and insurance coverage.

   8. By the middle of this week the CEO would visit Fire Officers at the aerodromes on Grand Turk and Providenciales especially to further discuss these issues and the timelines for resolution.

   9. The CEO, Fire Officers and CSA will follow up on the progress made with the resolution of these issues against agreed timelines.

The Fire Officers were satisfied with the assurances given by the Administration that their concerns would be addressed as agreed to by TCIG, CSA and Fire Officers in accordance with the resolution statements above. This being the case the strike action ceased and the Fire Officers returned to work as of 5:30 pm March 11, 2012.

CSA