Director Threaten to shoot workers.--- Alex Richardson now taking psychological therapy to control anger. Workers to resume work on Thursday.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Workers of the Postal Services of St. Maarten (PSS) have decided to start industrial action on Wednesday morning hoping that management and the Police Department will to take the necessary actions against one of the directors of the company whom they said walked inside of PSS and threatened to shoot all the workers. Sherman Serastis of the St. Maarten Communication Union (SMCU) told SMN News in telephone interview that Alex Richardson had a dispute with one of the workers and he walked into the premises threatening to shoot the workers. Serastis said that a criminal complaint was filed with the Police Department but so far nothing happened. He further explained that this incident took place some three weeks ago and the management of Postal Services St. Maarten promised to deal with the situation but so far noting has been done. Serastis said that the director also violated the labor agreement which clearly states that threats cannot be made on the job. He said right now the union has the criminal case they flied and the labor violation to deal with.
Serastis said this morning (Wednesday) the workers felt they had enough and have decided to demand justice by going into industrial action. At the time SMN News wrote this article management of PSS decided to address the issue with the SMCU representatives that are on the location.SMCU met with management, and management informed them they suspended Alex Richardson with pay but the workers felt that the action management of PSS took were not severe enough. SMCU representative Sherman Serastis said that the workers said unless management impose a heavier punishment on Richardson they will not return to work. SMCU representatives feel that Richardson should be suspended without pay and forced to enroll in anger management program.
Serastis said the meeting between management and PSS will resume at 3:30pm on Wednesday to see what decision management of PSS has taken now that they have discussed the matter with the union.After the meeting on Tuesday afternoon with management of PSS Sherman Serastis told SMN News that the workers of PSS have decided that will not work along with Alex Richardson because they longer feel safe for their lives and security. Serastis said management informed the SMCU that Richardson began psychological therapy on Tuesday to work on his anger. However, the workers of PSS feel that even though Richardson is seeking help they will not work with him because of serious threats he made to one of their colleagues. Serastis said management informed SMCU members that they will be seeking legal advice to see what other step they could take against Alex Richardson. Serastis said that the SMCU gave management of PSS three weeks to come back to them with the decision they have taken. Serastis further explained that the SMCU will dispatch a letter to the management and supervisory board of PSS on Wednesday confirming all that was agreed upon on Tuesday's. Serastis also confirmed that the workers will return to work as usual on Thursday.
Click here to view warning letter issued to Alex Richards on March 6th 2015
