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Uniforms? It’s About Uniforms?
posted (October 5, 2015)
So now what is the Social Security Board's management saying on this issue? Well, they definitely aren't taking all the blame for the delayed uniforms. When we spoke to Chairman of the SSB Doug Singh he told us that the committee responsible for confirming the style and other details of the uniforms comprises of 3 union members and 2 members of management. But apart from that, the management says the workers are NOT entitled to any financial compensation because according to their understanding of the agreement - it does not say anything about compensation. Singh told us today that it has to with a difference in interpretation.

Doug Singh, Chairman, Social Security Board
"It is my understanding, I mean t wasn't clarified until today when I asked the CEO to meet with the chief of steward of the union, Ms. Flowers and ask exactly what the action was based on. Other than that we would been guessing. And they indicated that it was on the uniform issue and when I saw uniform issue, is they wrote a letter to Social Security asking for compensation for a clothing allowance payment in accordance with their interpretation of their collective bargaining agreement. We responded to that letter indicating, the CEO responded that we did not interpret the clause in the collective bargaining agreement as they did and that there was not a financial entitlement. They responded indicated that precedence was set because in the past when the uniforms was late on delivery, there was a payment made during that period and that precedence has been set and there is not only an expectation in their mind as an obligation and so they are not pleased with the board's position. I must say that subsequent to that we wrote them a letter and said that we are prepared to consider a payment of an ex-gratia as a result of the delay in the delivery. If they are prepared to consider our proposal in the collective bargaining agreement that moves the timeframe for delivery of the uniforms from 18 months to 24 months."

As to the proposal Singh refers to concerning the extension from every 18 months to 24 months - he says the workers gave a very insolent response and outright rejected it.

Now apart from deflecting all the blame for the uniform delay, Singh also went further by saying that it is unreasonable and simply unconscionable of the workers to ask for compensation when management is already spending a handsome sum for quality uniforms. Singh explained that there needs to be a shift in priority.

Doug Singh, Chairman, Social Security Board
"There cannot be a responsibility placed solely on the institution for any further delays. But I'll go beyond that. The uniforms that were procured from Trinidad this year cost a total of $277,000 for 273 employees. That in excess of $1,000 per employee on average. That is for 5 sets of uniforms to be worn by the staff for that 18 months period and it is my understanding that most Fridays, if not all Fridays are casual days. Now the board is challenged to come up with a recommendation to the Prime Minister for an increase in pension. And the board doesn't view increase to employees for clothing allowance, especially in light of the fact that the uniforms they had had held up very well. Because they pick good quality and they've had it sewn where they wanted it to and now to come back and asked for allowance because uniforms didn't meet the 18 months schedule? When they'd be wearing it the entire time. They are burdening the fund. The fund is not there for uniforms. The fund is there to pay beneficiaries benefit."

"How can you explain to an elderly lady or gentleman out here who hadn't had pension increase since 2002? That's some of their funds that should go towards pension increases is going to go to the employees, because the employees believe that they didn't get their uniforms on time. When the uniforms they got costs $277,000. In excess of $1,000 per person. There are some pensioners out there that are not even getting that for 6 months. I just think that priorities needs to be put in place."

Singh told us that the uniforms are here already and that only a handful of workers are left to get their uniforms. They should have gotten them today. Singh told us that the management is considering reducing the budget set for workers uniforms because in his view $277,000 is simply too much. Singh also explained that in the past when the workers were compensated it was because the material was probably low quality.

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