Chairman wants better working conditions for auxiliary fire officers

Chairman of the Barbados Fire Service Association, Corrie Bridgeman is calling for better conditions of service for Auxiliary Fire Officers (AFO) working in the system.

Bridgeman made the call as he addressed the Association’s recently held Annual General Meeting at Solidarity House.

While commending the Government and the administration of the Fire Service for bringing the AFOs on board in the Service’s time of need, he said it is important that these officers are treated fairly. He made the point as he lamented that while they are called to perform the same tasks, work the same hours and expose themselves to the same risks as those who are appointed, the AFOs are in the unfortunate position of job insecurity.

He also raised concern about these officers not being paid on time, and called for the issue to be addressed. He explained that last November and December the AFOs were not paid because their contract expired in October. He also noted that given that they are temporary workers, they are further disadvantaged when approaching financial institutions, as their temporary status makes them ineligible to borrow finances.

Turning his attention to other matters impacting the wider membership, Bridgeman spoke to the issue of lieu leave and other lieu days. He said the Association has received numerous complaints, written correspondences and grievances regarding not being granted such leave. He said while at a meeting with the Attorney General it was agreed that the status quo regarding such leave would remain, members are still experiencing challenges.

The Chairman noted that vacation leave is another issue that was raised with the Association. He pointed out that some members have found that after submitting vacation dates and sometimes readjusting for the smooth running of shifts, they are then transferred to different stations and shifts. He said this creates a challenge across the entire department, and sometimes results in the administration having to issue a service order stating that all lieu has been cancelled.

“The unfortunate side of this is that fire officers then end up accumulating days upon days with little or no opportunity to take them when desired.”
(JRT)