Dear Hon. Minister of Education, ministry of education

Executive Branch

RE: DEMAND FOR FAIRNESS AND PROPER TREATMENT OF CROSSING GUARDS

I am writing to respectfully but firmly raise concerns about the way crossing guards are currently being scheduled and treated.

There are two different groups of crossing guards—those assigned to primary schools and those assigned to secondary schools. Since these schools operate on different schedules, it is reasonable to ask why the working hours for crossing guards are being treated as though everyone has the exact same schedule.

We are told that crossing guards are required to work from 7:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, when we examine the actual school times, there should be room for a fairer and more practical arrangement.

For secondary schools, where school begins around 7:45 a.m., why should a crossing guard necessarily have to remain until 9:15 a.m. when the main morning traffic of students has already passed? A reasonable schedule could be 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., depending on the specific school and traffic conditions.

For primary schools, where school begins around 9:00 a.m., a more appropriate schedule could be 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The point is not that crossing guards do not want to work. The point is that working hours should be based on the actual needs of the schools and the children we are assigned to protect.

It is also concerning that some crossing guards appear to be allowed to determine or influence the schedule for everyone, despite the fact that we are working in different school sections with different start and dismissal times.

If a secondary-school crossing guard is standing at a location where there are no students to cross, simply because everyone has been told to follow the same hours, then we must ask whether that is an effective use of our working time.

We are asking the Ministry to review the schedules separately for primary and secondary schools and consult with crossing guards before making decisions that affect our working conditions.

Our Pay and the Value of Our Work

I also want to raise the issue of our wages.

Crossing guards have an important and potentially dangerous responsibility. Every day, we stand near busy roads and traffic to help protect children and pedestrians. We put ourselves in a position where we have to remain alert and responsible for the safety of others.

Why, then, is there such difficulty in properly increasing the wages of crossing guards?

We recognize and respect the work performed by teachers and other education workers. However, the fact that teachers may work different hours does not mean that the work of crossing guards is any less important. Every person who plays a role in protecting and supporting our children deserves to feel valued.

When workers feel that their contribution is not properly recognized or compensated, many are forced to seek second jobs simply to make ends meet. That should cause the Government to stop and ask why its workers feel they cannot survive on the income they receive.

We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fair treatment.

We are asking for:

A review of crossing guard schedules based on the actual operating hours of primary and secondary schools.

Separate and reasonable schedules for primary and secondary school crossing guards.

Proper consultation with crossing guards before changes are made to their working conditions.

A review of crossing guard wages and consideration of a meaningful increase.

Recognition of the risks and responsibilities associated with our work.

Clear guidelines so that no individual group of crossing guards is able to dictate working arrangements for everyone else.

Crossing guards are not invisible workers. We are part of the system that helps keep children safe every school day.

We show up in rain, heat, traffic and difficult conditions because we understand the responsibility entrusted to us. We deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, and we deserve compensation that reflects the importance of the work we perform.

I respectfully ask the Ministry to take these concerns seriously and meet with representatives of the crossing guards to discuss a fair way forward.

Fairness should apply to every worker, including crossing guards.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to a meaningful response and positive action on behalf of all crossing guards.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: LETTER: Demand For Fairness And Proper Treatment Of Crossing Guards.