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The case of the disappearing workers leads to 2-hour stoppage
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The TGWU/ACTs is aggrieved that workers are disappearing from the Building and Works department, 51 at the last count, and they are not being replaced. Manning level is affected, they say, and this led to a 2-hour stoppage yesterday.
Nearly 200 employees, says the union, staged the 2-hour walkout against government non-compliance of the minimum manning agreement between the union and government a few years ago.
"The TGWU/ACTS has raised this matter on numerous occasions with government, which has not adhered to this written commitment," says a statement.
The union has, for that matter, been given no alternative but to implement industrial action in pursuance of their right for government to comply with agreements.
The union adds: The fundamental reason for this 2-hour stoppage is the minimum manning level agreement, where there is a shortage of 51 employees in the agreed complement.
Apart from this issue, there are other grievances which need to be addressed that concern the industrial workforce, technical and administrative staff.
The TGWU/ACTS says it is always willing to sit down with the government and engage in meaningful negotiations to try and find a satisfactory solution not only for the employees but also beneficial to government tenants living in different housing estates.
UNTRUE,SAYS GOVERNMENT
The Government for its part, says it notes the statement by the T & G in relation to the Buildings and Works Department, that the agreed complement of manpower is presently 51 workers short of the agreed manning levels.
"This statement is also untrue," says the government.
The union statement also says that the walk-out is about issues to do with transport and tools etc. The union knows that funding for an investment programme for these very purposes has been included in this year?s budget for the department and that the procurement process has already begun.? says the Government
Accordingly, adds the government, the dispute is really about whether a bonus agreement that delivers in excess of 40% above basic pay should have to be earned as the scheme requires, in accordance with what was agreed between the Government and the union. The alternative, as has been happening recently and the Government has recently stopped, is that the productivity bonus should in practice be paid to everyone, effectively as a 40% increase in basic pay, regardless of achieving the productivity levels on which the bonus scheme is based.
The government?s position will remain that there can be no bonus earnings except against verifiable achievement of productivity, value for money and efficiency.
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