The union representing Vitran employees on St. Croix pulled out a laundry list of complaints Wednesday against the V.I. government.
At a press conference, V.I. Workers Union President Ralph Mandrew called for an investigation of Vitrans operations on St. Croix by the Senates Committee on Government Operations. Mandrew alleged that violations of the unions labor contract are rampant, including busses being operated with faulty equipment such as bald tires.
Mandrew also said Vitran supervisors often end up driving busses and that management has created an atmosphere of favoritism in the mechanics shop that has resulted in workers coming to blows. He also said Vitrans unionized workers are not covered by an insurance plan.
"For some reason, management doesnt understand what going on," said Randolph Allen, a union shop steward. "It seems like Vitran is the stepchild of whatever else the government has to do."
Vitran is operated by the Department of Public Works. Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr. didnt return calls on Wednesday to comment on Mandrews charges. Mandrew also said that the governments chief negotiator has failed to respond to the unions request for meetings, which led him to file unfair labor practice charges in June.
Allen described a public transportation system in shambles, where busses regularly service routes with barely enough fuel to do the job. Mandrew agreed, saying that in January two buses where "abandoned" on the side of the road after they ran out of fuel.
VITRAN IN SHAMBLES, UNION SAYS
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