C.W.U. Explains Concerns with SSB CEO Resignation  

Earlier this week, the Christian Workers Union (C.W.U.) voiced their concerns over the sudden departure of Doctor Leroy Almendarez, the C.E.O. of the Social Security Board. The news of his exit came last week without any clear explanation, leaving union members worried about the fate of the agreements made during his tenure. Today, C.W.U. President Leonora Flowers shared those concerns.

 

Leonora Flowers, President, C.W.U.

“There were  certain pronouncement and promises made to the CEO at the time, Dr. Almendarez, to our members of staff. And come the thirty-first of December, those had not materialized, so looking into January and now getting at February to hear a swift exit of the CEO, we were, and we still are, concerned that those pronouncements and those promises need to follow through on the, for our members. So that was our concern. We haven’t had anything, any discussion with the new CEO.  But we know that our people on the ground have had meetings and the Chief Rep has informed us that the CEO say the work continues, the work progresses. There’s going to be transition of anything that was promised and so we are waiting for those to take effect.”

 

Britney Gordon

“We understand that the last time, there had been a major concern with the CEO’s appointment was that there was a lack of communication between the board and the union members. This time with the resignation, has there been any sort of transparency as to why this occurred?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“I would have to answer and say that as it relates to CWU, we have not had any responses based on that. We are aware that when the last CEO was employed, that the board had moved to you advertise for one person, but they took on two persons. And that the NTUCB had indicated that there were not two advertisements. And although we had, the NTUCB, of which we are an affiliate member, had sent that information, the board still held on to its decision that it made. We were very cognizant. You advertise for one post, but you took two persons. And at the end of the day, we believe that those missteps are what led us to where we are now. So we’re hoping that the board would look at the way they decide these things. And in future, abide by what the law, the social security legislation says.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And being that they told you that the work continues despite a new CEO being appointed, does that satiate some of the concerns that you have?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“It does, it certainly does for our members, but CW will be waiting  and ensuring that it does follow through.”