Local authority services: a series of walkouts
Following the Licensing Department’s inability to issue driving licences or vehicle registration certificates due to an IT problem that has persisted for days, it is now the turn of the Solidarity, Health and Family, and the Maternal and Child Welfare Service to cease providing services to the public, and the local police are no exception. One by one, the Collectivité’s departments are facing difficulties, and walkouts have been occurring one after another since last week.
A lack of resources, unpaid bills, poorly maintained buildings… Albert Blake and Francilène Paines, from the UNI.T 978 trade union, have spoken out against the working conditions of the Collectivité’s staff across several departments.
Solidarity, Health and Family Department: premises in poor condition
On the façade of the building housing the Solidarity, Health and Family Department, a sign reads: ‘Offices closed until further notice’. Indeed, since 2 July, the fifty or so staff members in this department have decided to go on strike to have their demands heard.
A year ago, the premises were flooded, causing mould to grow on the walls. Repairs were carried out, but the mould continues to spread. A company took samples last February for analysis. To date, no results have been provided. Another consequence is that the lift is out of service, meaning that people with reduced mobility can no longer access the offices. It is up to the staff to go down to meet them. A few weeks ago, the staff were already threatening to close the centre due to poor hygiene conditions, caused by a lack of toilet paper. Staff and the director have made an effort to find some, but Albert Blake believes this situation cannot continue. Another point of contention is the air-conditioning, which is working less and less effectively.
The building is owned by Semsamar, which leases it to the Collectivité. An agreement sets out the terms of this arrangement; however, the union states that it is unaware of the provisions determining the responsibilities of both parties. By Monday morning, no politicians had yet visited the site. Pending repairs to the air-conditioning system, staff are calling for portable air-conditioners, for the results of the tests to be shared with them, and for the toilet facilities to be kept in good working order.
PMI and Territorial Police join the protest
The problem of sewer odours in the building housing the Maternal and Child Health Service (PMI) has been a recurring issue for the past three months. The service was closed last Friday following a visit by the trade unions, who deemed the odour unbearable and a potential health hazard. Staff at the service went on strike on Monday morning.
As for the Territorial Police, officers at the station located at the Collectivité were also on strike on Monday morning. According to Albert Blake, they are facing a lack of resources: no footwear, no uniforms, and the technical equipment for their vehicles is said to have been taken back by the supplier due to non-payment by the Collectivité. A meeting was held between Territorial Police officials and representatives of the Collectivité. At the time of going to press, no details of the discussions or any decisions taken had been released.
