According to the PSU President, Immigration officers also have that same grievance against their superiors. He insists that they are starting to agitate against retirees who are occupying the top posts in the department - frustrating younger professionals with post graduate degrees.
Here's how he explained that immigration officers are getting frustrated by that type of decision-making:
Dean Flowers - President, Public Service Union
"This same issue of hiring retirees is also a challenge that we're having in the Immigration Department. My very first contact with the few in the Immigration Department suggested that he was putting in place a succession plan for over overly qualified immigration officers to be able to take up the post of directors since we had several, and we continue to have several directors on contract. I am baffled to learn now that once again, they're contemplating renewing contracts for these retired officers when we have hired qualified and experienced immigration officers and port commanders out there that are waiting for an opportunity to move toward a director. These people have a legitimate expectations in accordance with the public service regulations. Why are we issuing contracts to a director of nationality and passport? Why do we continue to issue contracts to a director for refugees, 65 years old? These individuals have served. They are stifling the growth and development of competent public officers within the Immigration Department, contrary to the public service regulations. And so I want to call out the CEO of the Immigration Department. You are a young CEO, sir. The immigration officers are frustrated. They're frustrated. They have reached out to this union, and this union is now mobilizing to organize them for decisive action against what is political maneuvering."
This evening, we contacted both the Minister of Immigration and the CEO for comment. CEO Gilroy Middleton told us that he will be able to review the matter later tonight for a full response.
We know that within the Department - there is loose talk of taking some industrial action - to show their frustration with Debra Baptist-Estrada - the Director of Border Management and Immigration Services
