In the midst of port officers continuing their protest action yesterday by not working any additional hours, some members of the public are now calling for the matter to be speedily settled, given claims that sailings were taking place without the presence of any port officers on board the vessels.
One passenger said yesterday it was "ridiculous" that the matter had been dragging on for so long especially as it appeared that the public was at some risk.
President of the Estate Police Association Branch of the Port Authority, Richard Ryan, said it was in fact true that sailings were taking place without port officers, adding that it was a decision taken by management.
"We have all sorts of crime taking place and added to that is human trafficking and it is very dangerous to have vessels sail without any officers on board at all.
"Anybody could be carrying anything in their vehicles. What has been happening and even up to this morning (yesterday) is that the vessels have been sailing without any port police presence and that is a serious security breach and management would have taken that decision," Ryan said.
He said officers were tired of the same excuses whenever discussions were held with the port's management and were demanding that monies owed be immediately paid.The union met with management last Friday but Ryan said it was the initiative of the officers.
"Basically nothing came out of that meeting. They would have told us the same thing they have been telling us which is that they have written to the permanent secretary in the Works Ministry to intervene through the Chief Personnel Officer.
"What we would have told them is we are looking for commitment regarding a timeline for payment," Ryan added.He said the union sent a letter on Monday to Works and Transport Minister Fitzgerald Hinds seeking a meeting but was yet to receive a response.
"In the meantime, once three o' clock in the evening reaches, officers have decided that they are not working any overtime at all and members of the public will see the impact of that especially later on in the week," Ryan added.
Another issue he said which was also worrying was the shortage of officers at the port which resulted in them working lengthy overtime hours.
When contacted Betty Ann Gibbons, public relations manager of the Port Authority, said management was awaiting guidelines from the CPO as to how to proceed regarding outstanding monies.She said until this was done only then could the matter be settled.
Efforts to contact the chief executive officer of the T&T Ferry Service, Leon Grant, and public relations officer Velma Lewis-Cockburn regarding claims of security breaches were unsuccessful as neither answered their cell phones. Messages left were also not returned.