- NORMAN GRINDLEY/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Helper at work.
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
FOR CLOSE to 15 years, the Audrey Hinchcliffe-led Manpower and Maintenance Services (MMS), has maintained first-rate standards in the cleaning business.
The May 4 anniversary will be observed on May 15 with an official opening and blessing, and henceforth the company will officially operate from its $30-million corporate headquarters at 1 Eureka Road in Kingston.
The Financial Gleaner toured the 14,000-square foot two-storey facility with an understandably proud Audrey Hinchcliffe, the dynamic force behind MMS. The new complex will be fully utilised with training being a big part of future activities.
It has been a long journey but the Lord is good, Mrs. Hinchcliffe told the Financial Gleaner, adding, "Our clients have stuck with us and we try to deliver the service that will keep them satisfied. But we now have room to grow."
RENTAL SPACE
The building will now house a training centre comprising five classrooms, conference room and caucus rooms - all for rental as there will also be a focus on value-added to the multimillion dollar investment. And as pointed out by Patricia Gillings, communications coordinator to MMS, one of the main features of the building is the new energy efficient air conditioning system that has been installed.
TRAINING
"We have done extensive refurbishing and because the building had so many bathrooms that we don't need, we have donated several fixtures to organisations that were in need," Ms. Gillings said.
She said also that very soon the MMS brand will be emblazoned on all company vehicles and a library will be established.
Mrs. Hinchcliffe is placing emphasis on training to strengthen her existing workforce as well as to satisfy the demand in the workplace. To that end, she will be working closely with the Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) agency to establish a placement agency to train and place workers.
"We cater to the low wage and marginal worker and we would like to equip them to move to better paying jobs; so we partner with other agencies like the Housing Trust to help them," she said in response to the frequently heard criticism that workers do not earn enough.
The MMS wage and fringe benefits package includes:
Weekly pay starting at $2,500.00 with annual adjustments Four uniforms annually Laundry allowance Shift premium above minimum wage and two hours pay for time worked above their work hours Arrangements with hospitals for workers to see doctor and attend clinic Laboratory and other tests and other medical needs paid for. Arrangement for saving with a reputable credit union Provision of financial advice and counselling service when workers have emotional problems Company absorbs the cost of training For special assignments, workers get a meal in addition to wages Lessons and tips in personal development and grooming Plus, there are always irons and ironing boards and toiletries for workers on the job use. Workers with HIV/AIDS and who can no longer work are sent home at 50 per cent pay. Ten days off at the end of each contractOTHER SERVICES
Outside of core services, MMS trains store clerks and cashiers for companies upon request and will implement a literacy programme for its own staff soon. This will be done under the MMS Foundation.
"We are very proud of our workers who are in many instances requested by clients to remain in place for years. We have a back-to-school programme through which the parents whose children are successful at the GSAT exminations can get low-interest loans," Mrs. Hinchcliffe said. She made the point that MMS provides a support system for its workers and treats them with dignity.
OFFICE SERVICES LIMITED
MMS bought Office Services Limited in July 2004 and eventually both companies will merge operations.
There are between 1,500-1,600 workers employed, depending on the workload. Going into the next 15 years and beyond, Mrs. Hinchcliffe's plans include:
Taking the company public Caribbean-wide expansion Expansion of training and certification in ollaboration with the National Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET). "I am excited about the great possibilities and working with our clients, things are difficult but we will make it," a confident Mrs. Hinchcliffe said.
