Security officer speak of abuse
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – the predicament of workers, who after years of late wages lost their jobs when Complete Security closed last month, has emboldened officers who are suggesting that abuse in the private security industry is systemic.
Comments on the Antigua OBSERVER web site and workers talking directly to our newsroom even suggest some level of complicity on the part of unions, and advice to security guards to get lawyers instead.
Patricia Ryner, an officer with a firm which we won’t name here because of legal considerations, is one who has related her difficulties to us.
She said verbal abuse is a part of life for a security officer.
“I work there for three years, right, and since a working with dis man, he have no respec’. he cuss de workers and dem. you cyan ask him a question. you cyan ask fu money. I go on holiday since 2010, and up to dis day ya, me sen’ one letta an’ tell (the owner) I have my son school fee fu pay going Christian Faith Academy. Dem tell me, oh, you have fu ask fu dem kin’a sudden dey early. up to now, a 2012 me cyan ge’ me haliday,” she said.
Ryner also said she is being subjected to malice because she has pressed for greater responsibility from her boss.
“In Novemba, I realise that he payin’ other staff and not paying me. now I go and ask where my money, dem gimme a roundabout story,” she said explaining that the excuses ranged from her boss having an automobile accident to there only being $100 in his bank account.
A person reacting on our web site to the issue of poor work climate in the private security industry suggested that aggrieved workers should seek help from lawyers – not unions.
The reaction is specific to former Complete Security workers who have expressed a desire to switch from the Antigua Trades and Labour Union to the Antigua Workers Union as they say the AT&LU isn’t helping their cause.
AT&LU General Secretary Alrick Daniel, at whom the criticism was directly aimed, has denied ignoring the workers fight against Complete Security.
Daniel called our newsroom yesterday denying the actions attributed to him by the disgruntled former employees. he also said that he was actively seeking resolution.
