Jan. 27, 2006 — V.I. Water and Power Authority employees and union members met on St. Croix Wednesday to hammer out a strategy for addressing their grievances and concerns on the heels of a protest-like gathering at the Sunny Isles WAPA office.
"Our fight is not about money," said Joseph Wrensford, vice president of the St. Thomas WAPA Employees Association (WEA). "Our fight is about conditions, safety and respect."
In a teleconference with St. Thomas WEA members, WAPA employees meeting at the Education Curriculum Center in Kingshill spoke of deteriorating work conditions, a need for increase in security, increasingly expensive insurance rates and a general lack of respect for workers from officials. "We are looking to be equipped, have respect and have a safe working environment," said Laverne Sargeant, WEA's St. Croix secretary.
More than 70 union members on St. Croix gathered in the center's conference room. In the early morning hours Wednesday, WEA members on St. Croix, along with more than 50 members on St. Thomas, simultaneously gathered in a show of solidarity.
By contract, WAPA workers cannot strike because of the service they provide to the public. WAPA employees "by law and under their union contract are prohibited from engaging in any work stoppage for even the shortest period of time, as their actions affect the health and safety of the general public," said Nellon Bowry, acting executive director and chief financial officer for WAPA.
"WAPA shares the union's frustrations as to the length of time it has taken for a mutually selected arbitrator to come to a decision in an interest-arbitration proceeding that took place in June 2006," Bowry said. "Management is committed to resolving the issues that concern our employees."
Employees spoke of an increase in mold in the ceilings and walls of the facility, due in part to faulty air-conditioning systems, they said. According to employees, the problem has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the authority with no action in response to the increased health risk. Employees also reported lax emergency protocol like the absence of fire extinguishers at the business office and sealed emergency exits at the plant.
Line workers aired grievances with protocol and lack of equipment, along with an increased public threat to their personal safety. "The public (doesn't) know what's happening in WAPA," said lineman Maurice Sealey. Employee Anita Bastian said many of the linemen deal with threats from residents on a regular basis. A customer confronted and threatened one water employee late last year, she said, noting that the confrontation was so severe that police officers were called to the scene to assist the WAPA employee.
Customer-service representatives also expressed concerns about personal safety. They say they need security officers to help them with customers at the authority's business office increasingly irate because of rising electric bills. Lynette Sierra said her position has recently become like that of a psychiatrist soothing the tempers of incensed customers. "People come asking me, 'What am I supposed to do?'" Sierra said, adding she tries to calm them as best she can.
"As the bills increase, people get more aggressive," Sargeant said. "It's important for the public to know WAPA employees are also WAPA customers. We have a vested interest in (WAPA). They are the only ones who provide (our families and ourselves) with light and water."
Sens. Terrence "Positive" Nelson and Norman Jn Baptiste attended the meeting to give advice to WEA. "Use the media to your advantage," Nelson suggested. Any demonstration by employees must be done in an organized manner that will get the attention of the authority as well as the public, he said.
"Create a visual impact," Nelson said. "Bring your issue forward to the public. You have the government's attention."
Jn Baptiste said he drafted a letter to the governor about alleged misbehavior by Darryl "Mickey" Lynch, WAPA governing board chairman, asking that Lynch be removed from his position. Lynch is accused of repeated disrespectful behavior toward WAPA employees. Eunice Gomes spoke heatedly about Lynch's response to her questions regarding promised wage increases and conditions within the facility. Lynch hurled many epithets at her and rushed off without addressing her concerns, Gomes said.
Jn Baptiste said he would also try to address the issue of increased insurance premiums for WAPA employees. "It's the same Cigna (Healthcare) we are all using," he said. WAPA's health-care plan could possibly get added to the government's to help lower premium costs. "This is just a recommendation," the senator warned. "We have to look at the feasibility."
The meeting was held to air grievances and hopefully create a reasonable solution, said St. Croix WEA Vice President Diechelle Berry. But there will be no resolution for WAPA employees, she said: "We are waiting for a response from the authority." According to Bowry, "Both sides have had significant dialogue, and management wants to keep talking."
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
