Confronted by a growing number of drug addicts and agressive and violent people, workers at the Salvation Army Emergency Housing Shelter have decided to unionise for safety.

Health and Family Services Minister, Nelson Bascome yesterday said: "The union has been down and all of the preliminary requirements have been put in place for them to be unionised.'' And he said the Salvation Army were waiting for the final details from the Ministry before proceeding.

Workers made the request after conditions deteriorated at the shelter and their safety became increasingly compromised.

The centre operates with ten staff which includes housekeeping, dietary, laundry persons and six supervisors who assume more of a care taking role.

Salvation Army Divisional Commander, Major Woody Hale said that they were having talks with the Health Ministry concerning the shelter but did not want to comment until after a meeting scheduled to take place in a few weeks.

Plans are also in the works to build a new shelter and in his speech on Tuesday, Director Hugo Mayers said: "With homelessness on the increase, it is some comfort in knowing that a modern purpose built facility is being proposed.'' Mr. Bascome said yesterday: "We recognise that the shelter has long outlived its life and we are in the process of talking about ways to improve the shelter.'' He said he realised that Mr. Mayers not only had to deal with the challenging residents, but also with the aging facility.