Angry former security guards from RBC Royal Bank yesterday protested outside the bank’s Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, branch to express their outrage over the bank’s proposal to replace existing guards with private guards. Edison Munroe, president of the Estate Police Association (EPA), said the bank planned to outsource security officers and the association had written to the company about it. Munroe said the bank refused to meet with the association, so the matter was now before the Ministry of Labour.
“We are calling on the minister so we could deal with this issue,” he said. “The services (of the officers) are not being made redundant, they are being dismissed to bring in a private security company.” In response, the bank said in a statement that it believed security would be improved if a private security firm were providing the service.
Nicole Duke-Westfield, the bank’s senior manager, corporate communications, regional and T&T, said, “RBC Royal Bank is aware of a demonstration which took place this morning outside the bank’s Independence Square branch which involved two trade unions and former security officers of RBC. “This action follows the bank’s decision to partially outsource the security services at our non-branch facilities, which led to a reduction in the complement of our proprietary security officers.
“This has not affected the security operations at our branches.” The bank said it would continue to support the employees involved. “We realise that this is difficult for the employees affected,” said the statement. “As we always do in such circumstances, we are treating them fairly and with respect and providing them with a range of transition support services.” The bank said security remained an important factor in its operations.