PHILIPSBURG:--- Tonight the NAPB and ABVO unions held a meeting with their members. Approximately one hundred members were present from the Immigration, Police, Customs, Prison, and Federal detective departments. This meeting was to inform them of the latest developments concerning their rights.
The members were informed of what took place over the course of the last couple of days whereby the unions had a meeting with the Minister and her staff at her office on A.Th. Illidge Road; and also about what took place in the meeting that was held today with the Council of Ministers. (COM)
During the meeting tonight Minister O. Ottley and Mr. Lyndon Lewis legal advisor to the Minister of TEATT came to speak to the members and also gave their take on what happened in today's meeting with the COM.
The members were not pleased with the outcome of both meetings whereby such was expressed. Minister Ottley showed concern and empathy for the members. He also made contact with Minister Richardson to see if a middle ground could be found in order for this situation to temporarily come to an end. Minister Ottley conveyed an offer that was given by Minister Richardson. This offer was unanimously rejected by the members. A vote was done whereby the members elected to continue the "Go slow" action. The members thanked Minister Ottley for trying to mediate the situation. The members respected the fact that Minister Ottley came and showed concern, but they did convey to him that the Honorable Minister of Justice should have come to address them but didn't.
Later in the evening, the members got information from the public and through social media that a decision was made to let the jump-up continue despite the fact that there are not enough police officers to guarantee the safety of the public and the officers themselves. The unions do not condone this act!
The members find it impossible that a jump-up is more important than the safety of the public and the other officers. This is simply irresponsible and shows where the priorities of the government lie. The members were concerned for their young colleagues that were put in this situation. But the decision was made to remain on the "Go slow" to fight for the rights of all the Justice workers.
The fight continues. Tomorrow the unions will continue by convening another membership meeting during the day.
The unions and members will continue to fight until they receive what is rightfully theirs.
The boards of
NAPB and ABVO
