Retired fire officers protest over unpaid allowances

RETIRED fire officers protested over the removal of their meal and housing allowances outside the Fire Services Headquarters on Wrighston Road, Port of Spain, on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to Newsday during the protest, Fire Service Association president Leo Ramkissoon expressed unwavering support for the retired workers.

"This represents a significant sum of money that would have been denied from their rightful earnings. It has been determined in the Ministry of National Security that it was wrongfully done and they were owed the money and they are to be paid, which they are rightfully entitled to."

Ramkissoon said the Ministry of National Security had recognised its error and pledged to rectify the situation. However, he accused Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo and other officials of dragging their feet over it, prompting the retirees to protest.

Ramkissoon said protests would continue until a satisfactory resolution was reached.

"We could only deduce at this time that they are hoping that we die off and the payments never made. And therefore, the officers are out here today demanding that this money be paid and we are announcing that this will be a sustained effort."

Retired officer Kurt Duncan, who spoke to Newsday during the demonstration, said the loss of benefits had burdened him financially. He said he had been surviving on a monthly income of just $3,500 since the meal and housing allowances were stopped.

Duncan said, "It's really hard. It's really hard. I joined the service in 1990, right after the coup (attempt) and then I became a fireman in 2003. We signed a contract stating that we get all our privileges as firefighters. Which is meal allowance, house allowance and all that sundry (sic). It was stripped away from us unceremoniously."

Speaking via WhatsApp later on Tuesday, Ramkisson said in 1998, the meal allowance was $200 per month and house allowances were $600 monthly. He speculated that by 2006, those benefits would have increased by $800.

He said the affected retired officers were auxiliary officers who were on contract employment before being absorbed into the service in 2003 and 2006. During the years between 1998, 2003 and 2006, they were not given their benefits.

Ramikissoon said the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, attended a ceremony for the retired officers and informally assured them they would receive the money owed.

Ramkissoon added that in February, the union spoke to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Bristo, who gave them the assurance the money would be paid. On October 19, they again met with Bristo, who repeated his assurance.

Ramkisson said, “We are not getting any real movement; the officers are going down in age and not getting any remuneration.”

In June, the Fire Service Associations (first and second divisions) accepted a four per cent salary offer after an emergency meeting with Chief Personnel Officer Dr Daryl Dindial.

The memorandum of agreement (MoA) includes a salary increase for 2014-2016 and 2017-2019, along with improved allowances and benefits. The agreement also provides a one-time lump-sum payment of $4,000 for some retired officers.

When Newsday contacted the Fire Service communications office, it said a media release would be issued after a meeting on Wednesday.