Last week, we showed you the reactions of the Education Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister when they were asked to comment on the recent revelation that Ministry CEOs were exempted from what should have been an across the board 10% salary cut.
Now, the Public Service Union has formally complained to the Prime Minister about it. In a letter dated July 30, 2021, Dean Flowers, the President of the PSU wrote to Prime Briceno to put on record their objection to the Cabinet Secretary's Letter to all CEO'S.
The letter from the PSU President to the Prime Minister says, quote, "The PSU views this letter from the Cabinet Secretary as unconscionable and as a grave injustice to the principles of equity, equality and shared sacrifice as touted by the Government during its budget consultation with the Unions and other social partners. Public comments from sitting members of the Cabinet which include the Minister of Education and the Deputy Prime Minister suggest that they are equally perplexed by the Cabinet Secretary's contentious declaration that this was a Cabinet decision.
To make matters worse, you are now on record attempting to defend this indefensible and amoral decision which even the Churches have come out to castigate thus questioning your interpretation of the phrase "shared sacrifice". We acknowledge CEOs as our comrades in the running of the Public Service. We do not, therefore, subscribe to the animal farm concept for their exemption from the 10% salary cut." End quote.
The PSU is now calling on the Cabinet to rescind the letter from the Cabinet Secretary and implement the 10% salary reduction for CEOs as well.
The union is also asserting that Magistrates should also share in the sacrifice.
You'll remember back in June when the Attorney General explained that the judiciary enjoys the security of tenure, and so their pay cannot be cut. Also, the parliament cannot violate the principle of separation of powers and impose its will on the judiciary. Well, according to the PSU, the constitution doesn't afford that kind of protection for Magistrates, and that the Briceno Administration chose to afford them this exemption.
