Employees of the V.I. Water and Power Authority on St. Croix walked off the job Friday to protest poor working conditions, inadequate training and a slumping morale at the Estate Richmond power plant.
The workers said the management style of Gregory Willocks, assistant executive director of WAPA, was affecting morale. Willocks oversees St. Croix operations for the public utility.
The workers were expected to meet in St. Croix Saturday with the upper management of WAPA and members of the governing board. About six employees were to present their individual issues at the meeting in WAPA's offices at Sunny Isle.
The chairwoman of the board, former Sen. Carol Burke, said Friday afternoon she has been aware of the morale problem for some time. "At least 10 complaints have reached me since I became a member of the WAPA board," she said.
Burke said Friday's walkout had nothing to do with WAPA's proposed joint venture with Southern Energy. "I have yet to hear anyone say it has any connection to the proposed deal."
Burke said she was mindful that WAPA cannot antagonize its employees. "WAPA has to continue to function; any issues that come up with management cannot be ignored," she said. "We need our employees."
Burke and another board member, G. Luz A. James, were on hand to speak with the protesting workers Friday.
