There were long lines at Social Security offices yesterday as 60% of the staff staged a sickout, timed to coincide with the 14th., not Valentine's day, but the day when social security payments are due.
Today the Christian Workers Union leadership spoke out about the sickout and a planned strike.
First to the sickout - which according to union president Antonio Gonzalez - was not coordinated as much as it was induced by the foul industrial relations climate.
Antonio Gonzalez, President - C.W.U.
"Let me explain that sick-out business because we have to be clear to the media. That sick-out is not a sick-out you know? The people got ill. You know why they got ill? Because they are frustrated. They are under stress and the low morale of the place. That is what causes those people to get ill. And what caused it? Through the negative attitude and behavior of management so the employees have to get ill. They have to get ill so don't talk about sick out; that it is a tragedy. It is them who cause the employees to get ill."
And there could be more of that coming as the Christian Workers Union which represents 180 social security employees has issued the Minister of Labour 21 days' notice of its intention to strike.
At issue - according to the union - is a decision by the SSB Board of Directors to assess a union proposal for a salary increase in the context of a full review of the current level of benefits paid, particularly pension benefits, thereby weighing the interests of insured persons alongside those of the employees.
But according to the Union that was a profound disrespect because it effectively set aside the ongoing negation, which had been underway for two and a half years.
It also put to the side, union proposals for an increase which had been made in October 2010. Gonzalez said the disrespect was too great:…
Antonio Gonzalez, President - C.W.U.
"To date the union has not received any response to those proposals, except that on the 18th of January 2011 which we interpret as a total halt to the negotiations. The board says and we quote "the board discussed this matter in the last meeting and has concluded that a salary increase and the ensuing cost will only be palatable if dealt with in conjunction with a review of benefits to contributors. The board had therefore decided that we will act expeditiously to consider a particular increase to certain categories of pensions. Any increase in staff benefits will be considered in conjunction with this review."
"The Christian Workers Union and its members are not against any improvement as to contributors or pensioners. We are not in disagreement; in fact we would like some improvement in some of the benefits. What we cannot accept is that they have strapped us with this review and the negotiations. In a sense they are saying until we finish or go through this review or whatever is in this review then we can address staff benefits and salaries. We cannot entertain that."
James McFoy, Secretary General - C.W.U.
"To come with a letter when we have pressed them for a figure for a salary increase, they come and tell us to hold on union, we don't have any time for you. We will do a review before we deal with you all. Now that is an insult, it's a total insult. This is on the union side and this is why we have to do something to get them around the table to vent a figure and then we can continue the negotiation. That's all. And to forget about those policy things until we have reached the area."
Antonio Gonzalez, President - C.W.U.
"What we expect, and due to the experience we have with situations like this is that since we have notified the minister of labor as of our intent. It means that the minister could intervene before the 21 days. And we believe that that will happen. Probably bringing the parties together and to see how best we could solve, resolve our differences or go back around the table to negotiate. I think that is something that we can expect."
James McFoy, Secretary General - C.W.U.
"We as the union, the executive. We are tired of taking lick from our members, so if they say that come 21 days they will go on it, we as the executive have to respect their decision. So it's up to management to come around the table and come clean. This is what I am saying, coming clean."
Antonio Gonzalez, President - C.W.U.
"As they say the sick out business, we will consult our members again and there is need to be more of sick out, there could be more, because that is not interfere with the 21 days notice to the minister."
Gonzalez says that they are ready to come back to the negotiating table while the social security board yesterday issued a statement saying that with further dialogue, "SSB and its Staff will be able to come to an amicable agreement that fully reflects the reality of the financial state of the SSB." Similar sentiments, but, still, worlds apart.
