Fire Services Department Unofficial Sickout

PRESS RELEASE ON FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNOFFICIAL SICKOUT
 

1. On Friday at 2.00 p.m. the Fire Services Welfare Association requested a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

2. A meeting was scheduled at 3:30 p.m. which lasted up to 5:40 p.m, with the Deputy Permanent Secretary. The Chief Fire Officer was in attendance.

3. The Executive of the Fire Services Welfare Association wanted a status position on two issues:

1. Payment for Excess Working Hours; and

2. Removal of Asbestos from the roof at Central Fire Station.

4. At the conclusion of that meeting, the Welfare Association agreed to get a status in writing by Thursday, October 12, 2006 although they were informed by the Deputy Permanent Secretary that she would be able to update the Executive sooner, after discussions on Monday October 9, 2006 with the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service and the Ministry of Planning who are dealing with these two issues, respectively.

5. The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Home Affairs and Internal Security apprised the Cabinet Secretary of the concerns raised and the latter indicated that the Collective Agreement which speaks to the issue of Excess Working Hours was on the Agenda scheduled for the Cabinet meeting of yesterday Monday 9^th October 2006. This information was communicated immediately to the President of the Welfare Association by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry on Saturday, October 7^th 2006.

6. The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security met the Chief Fire Officer and other senior staff of the Fire Services Department on Sunday October 8^th, 2006 at the Fire Services Headquarters in Castries. The Minister stressed the need for the senior management of the Service to develop an appropriate management plan for the manning of the existing Fire Service and ensuring that both airports – Hewanorra and Vigie are operational. He also advised that an urgent management meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Public Service be held to develop strategies for resolving the outstanding issues raised by the Association.

7. A meeting was subsequently held with the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chief Fire Officer and Chairman and Secretary of the Welfare Association on Sunday October 8^th, 2006.

Full clarification was provided to the Executive at that meeting on Sunday, which was held at the Gros Islet Fire Station. The Executive expressed satisfaction with the position of the issues clarified.

It would appear that the Executive of the Fire Services Welfare Association failed to communicate this information to the majority of their members with the result that some Fire Service Officers did not turn up for work yesterday, Monday October 9^th as they reported sick. It was concluded therefore that the services provided were affected by a “Sick Out”.

8. Yesterday, Monday a meeting was held with the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and members of the Association and their Executive members. The two issues were clarified again.

9. At the conclusion of that meeting, as was the case on Sunday, Members in attendance expressed satisfaction with the clarification provided on the two issues.
    

10. I must tell you that at yesterday’s meeting New Issues were raised by members of the Association. The Permanent Secretary of the Public Service explained fully to the members the issue in terms of where things were at on the Payment for Excess Working Hours.

It seemed clear that members of the Association present were fully appreciative of the information provided. The Executive of the Association emphasized at all meetings, that they do not sanction nor did they direct their members to take any protest action in any form whatsoever. They were aware that the matter on the Excess Working Hours was referred to in a Memorandum sent by the Ministry of the Public Service to Cabinet and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Public Service had also informed the Executive that a separate memo which addressed the issue of Payment for excess working hours was being sent to Cabinet shortly.

11. It seems clear that sick leave Certificates submitted by Officers, en masse can be considered to be ‘industrial action’ taken by these officers without the endorsement of the Welfare Association. It is therefore a ‘wild cat’ action.

The issue of sick leave certificate appears to be well co-ordinated and calls for a careful examination, as it raises serious concerns which may speak to the integrity of the Medical Fraternity. Consequently, we will be referring this matter to the Ministry of Health for further consideration.

The Government of Saint Lucia will adopt all measures to ensure that our emergency response service and airports continue to function and that the security of the country is not compromised.
 

12. In the meantime the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security is co-ordinating efforts with the Chief Fire Officer to ensure that a deployment plan involving all Officers reporting for duty regardless of rank will be developed to provide normal Fire and Emergency Services to the Nation.

The Welfare Association has been informed of the decisions of Cabinet on the main issues raised. On the issues on:

1. The removal of Asbestos from the Fire Services Headquarters and the payment of excess working hours to Fire Officers, Cabinet agreed that the Honourable Prime Minister will handle both issues on behalf of Cabinet.

2. The Honourable Prime Minister directed that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security will effect the removal of the Asbestos from the roof and replacement of the roof of the Fire Services Headquarters.

Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security

Tuesday October 10, 2006

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