Late this evening, we were able to speak with the first vice president of the PSU, Dean Flowers, about the protests. He said that this is their way of showing resilience and that they will not back down. He advised the public and the government that similar industrial action will be seen throughout the rest of the week.
Dean Flowers, First Vice President, PSU
"Today you saw the continuation of our industrial actions where our trade dispute with the government is concerned. As we have informed the media we are heading down a path towards strike action and we are taking it one step at a time and until we get to that point these are the kind of actions that the public can see. Tomorrow, because of the amount of concerns that we are getting from members where the proposed salary cut is concern, more importantly the impact that it stands to have on them we have dedicated tomorrow to medical checkup day and so what you will see are several public officers visiting their nearest health centers to check their blood pressure. We also encourage those who are interested in getting the Covid19 vaccine to visit the nearest clinic in the different municipalities. We've also ask those who are currently experiencing anxiety and stress as a result of these last days of consultation of the government, to contact the ministry of public service to speak with the employee assistant program officer. That will be the kind of movements that you will see tomorrow public officers looking after their mental and health. The union has given the government notice of intended strike action. We are just being patient where our essential services are concerned. Effectively the government have thrown out the door in my view the 21 days' notice by way of the minister responsible in which he advised that he will not be doing the tribunal which he is required to do under the law. That's a legal matter and so we will respond to that letter accordingly, like I said all indications are that sooner rather later we are going to engage in full strike action against the government."
