False reporting of ‘planned strikes’ can destabalise Territory- Premier
It was on July 19, 2023, that some staff members of HM Customs were planning to strike due to non-payment of increments and other concerns; however, the Government of the Virgin Islands issued a brief statement denying the planned industrial action.
Aggrieved staff members of HM Customs; however, are still sticking to their story that they were preparing to take industrial action if their concerns were not met.
‘False reports of planned strikes’- Premier
Some media houses also reported that staff of Public Works Department and Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had also planned industrial action.
This was also labelled as misinformation by Premier Wheatley in a statement on July 19, 2023.
“There have been false reports of planned strikes by Public Works and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. I call on those engaged in this irresponsible behavior, to cease spreading misinformation.
“Doing so only contributes to the destabilization of the Territory. Our society needs calmness and stability right now.”
Premier calls for ‘constructive dialogue’
The Premier said he is aware of grievances among public officers as it relates to the payment of increments and reminded that his administration has allocated the resources necessary to pay outstanding increments to all eligible public officers.
He also said the Deputy Governor has been continuously updating the public on the processing of increments, and reasons for the delays encountered by the Human Resources department.
“I call on all persons involved in the process to do their part, to ensure that the outstanding increments are paid more quickly.”
Dr Wheatley said he is aware, besides increments, other concerns exist, but constructive dialogue through positive engagement is the best course of action for obtaining positive outcomes.
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24 Responses to “False reporting of ‘planned strikes’ can destabalise Territory- Premier”
the current homeboy is a jet sitter flying here and flying there, mixing and mingling with overseas groups while things here going to hell in hand basket. this territory is already know on the global market
not seeing anything being done with home-roads for the public is a mess and elections done gone
still sucking in that dirty air from the garage site down pockwood pond
with all the technology people still having water issues in this modern day society
your light bill out of order yet so often you sitting in the dark with your family & friends, don’t pay your light bill on time your current cut
the views expressed above are all mine but dont tell immigration
1. Do all employees get increments?
2. Are increments performance/merit based or based on longevity?
3. Are increments a single sum or a percentage of base salary?
4. Who is responsible for preparing the basic documents to notify Payroll to pay employee(s) increments?
5. Has the funding been authorized and appropriated to pay increments?
6. Are Department heads/supervisors/managers slow off the mark in preparing docs to get employees paid? Were negligent in performing their duties?
7. Were Permanent Secretaries, Ministers, etc., forceful enough in ensuring their employees got paid in a timely manner?
8. Why was there a lapse(s) in paying increments? In addition to increments , will employees earn interest on delayed payment??
9. What is the plan to start and sustain payments in the future?
10. Do employees who have retired, resigned, etc., still entitled to increments?
Ok. Back to Deputy Governor David Archer speech (On an off topic, do OT Deputy Governors qualify to be assigned as Governors?). It was a good speech, saying the right things. Nonetheless, it came across as bureaucratic spin. It came across as it was a difficult process, not a simple process , to get employees paid. In my view, once the employee(s) entitlement was approved, funding authorized and appropriated, MoF of give the ok, etc., it should be a simple process. But what is being spouted is pure bureaucratic, political spin. This is why civil servants are often caricatured. The Hon Premier too putting a political spin on things. As Charles Dickens in the classic novel Hard Times, just give the people the Facts. No spin, no sound bites!!
Moreover, it seems like functions under the Governor’s purview are immune from scrutiny, ie, civil service, RVIPF, etc. Why? Is it might is right or White is right? The civil service is managed in an awkward, disjointed manner. The local government provides the funding while the Governor is responsible for administering the service. But the government get the blows for poor services, failures. The Governor should step forward and take the blows, blows, blows, on this fiasco.,But will he? No. Furthermore, the civil service needs to be under the local government as part of the process of a full measure of self-government. I don’t subscribe to belief that it will worse under local government. Local government must take the responsibility and either swim or sink. The colonialists must stop the unnecessary control inherent in colonialism.
Increments, Crime, Roads, Electricity, Running Sewage, Money Management, Garage Burning, and Imcotepnet Family members who are Department Heads.
These issues that were promised to be fixed during the election cycle.
Where are the updates?
This is a land of milk and honey so don't be greedy let the people enjoy it! and soon you will see changes.