The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE National Congress of Trade Unions yesterday demanded the resignation of Prison Superintendent Ellison Rahming, saying he failed to deliver better working conditions for his officers.

Union officials made this statement as they addressed the grievances of prison officers, City Markets employees and Water and Sewage workers at a press conference at the Musicians' Association Hall on Horseshoe Drive.

Union president Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson said despite an agreement to improve the health and safety situation at the prison being in place for more than a year, officers are still subject to "deplorable and dangerous conditions".

These include: lack of running water and sewer problems throughout the prison, an infestation of mold, a lack of protective gear, unchecked build-up of bird faeces, and victimisation by certain senior officers.

Mrs Isaacs-Dotson also called on the Water and Sewage Corporation (WSC) board of directors to regularise a group of employees recently required to take a proficiency test.

She said despite the majority having passed the assessment, they have yet to be given permanent status.

On the subject of City Markets' employee severance packages, Mrs Isaacs-Dotson reminded the company of the consequences of failing to deliver the worker's entitlements.

She said: "The NCTUB wishes to advise Mr Finlayson and the management of City Markets that any failure on the part of his company to deny the employees of City Markets their contractual and statutory severance payments constitutes an offence under the Industrial Act 321, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment."