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Security guards protested in Cross Roads, St. Andrew on Monday concerning the delay in the upgrade of their employment status.
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UCASE President Vincent Morrison
By Warren Bertram
The Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) says the protest action taken by security guards is a step in the right direction for these workers to become more organised.
UCASE President Vincent Morrison has expressed support for the guards in their ongoing issues with security companies.
Mr. Morrison, who was speaking Tuesday morning on Morning Agenda on Power 106, said the protest shows that the guards have now "shaken off the fear to become organised so they can defend their rights and interests".
He recalled that UCASE had made several attempts in the past to get the security guards unionised, however, they were "so fearful of losing their jobs that nothing happened".
Security guards protested on Monday over what they believe is a delay in the upgrade of their employment status.
This upgrade was expected following the September Supreme Court ruling against Marksman Limited, which determined that security guards were not independent contractors, but employees.
The UCASE head believes the delay in the implementation of the judgment by the security companies is a "disrespect to the justice system", considering it could have cost them more.
He explained that the fact that Marksman was not ordered to pay the $447 million in employer contributions that the National Housing Trust had sought in the case, meant the security company and others like it "actually got the better of the judgment".
Furthermore, Mr. Morrison said he does not understand why the companies are seeking government intervention on the matter, since the court's decision is final.
"The government cannot change the court's ruling. If they are trying to negotiate new contracts with the government, fine. They have that right. But, in the meantime, the judgment of the court should be respected," he insisted.
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