Post Office workers from across the island converge at headquarters to protest deplorable and unhealthy conditions

The same longstanding issues that have kept General Post Office
workers on the protest line have forced them – once again – to take
action, resulting in the temporary closure of the department.
 
On Wednesday morning, October 18, staff embarked on industrial
action in an effort to force the Government to correct the deplorable
conditions under which they have to work.

Reports say the action involved not only workers at the St. John’s
location, but those at the other post offices across the island,
including All Saints.
 
REAL News correspondent George Wehner visited the lower High
and Long Street headquarters, where the workers had gathered
outside in protest.
 
He spoke with three shop stewards – Nerissa Jarvis, Shem Murraine,
and Delma Jules – who all complained about the condition of their
respective work spaces, the central location, and the eight sub-
stations.
 
All are of the opinion that the employees are working in inhumane,
deplorable conditions and that the situation has existed for several
years now.
 
It was reported that tarpaulins have to be placed on the electrical
items in the building in order to prevent them being damaged by
water from the GPO’s leaking roof.

Vermin infestation is also of great concern to the aggrieved workers.
 
They say that, going as far back as 2016, a proposal was put forward
for the upgrade of the premises; but, since then, nothing has been
done.

The shop stewards say that when it rains and water gets inside the
building, a moldy odour results. It was noted that management
attempts to mask the scent by spraying aerosols, including Lysol,
before the business opens to the public.

There is no ventilation in the post office, the workers complain
further, and this can negatively impact their health. And, they
believe, this could have contributed to the passing of three workers,
last year, within the space of two months.

Allegations of termites in the drinking water and non-operable
bathrooms are also among the issues plaguing the workers.
 
Reportedly, the union representing the workers has submitted to
the Post Office management a document that imposes a deadline of
Friday, October 20, by which to address the issues affecting the staff.
 
Workers at the High and Long Streets location are also asking to be
relocated and have threatened not to return to the job unless this is
done.
 
Reports say that, during the recent passage of Tropical Storm
Philippe, the roof in the bathroom area at the All Saints sub-station
came off. The workers claim that management was invited to visit
the location and get a first-hand view of the situation, but no one
ever turned up.
 
They add that, following an audience with Prime Minister Gaston
Browne on a previous occasion, some engineers were sent to the
General Post Office and some work was done. But that undertaking
worsened the original problem, they assert.