September 3, 2007

IF the Bermuda Public Services Union's Mr. Ed Ball is genuinely concerned about the hiring and promotion practices in the civil service, he should be consistent and afford members below the rank of senior civil servant equal representation. I am perplexed by his comment, "I can state that no contract worker can give direction to a civil servant, period."

Why was it acceptable when expatriate Assistant Collectors of Customs were assigned to give instruction to and appraise Customs Officers, when there were more qualified and experienced Bermudian officers who should have filled the positions instead?

Mr. Ball should be aware of the Assistant Collector, Finance and Administration (the project manager for the failed and forgotten CAPS project) whose work permit was extended for several three-year terms who was then transferred to another Government department, and as a result should soon qualify for long term resident status, if she hasn't already.

Did he complain about that?

Whose toes are being stepped on this time to warrant an outcry from Mr. Ball? After all, at present Senior Customs Officers have to report to persons with less experience, so what checks by the BPSU allowed this to happen?

Since the BPSU likes to operate with transparency, explain why an exam was introduced in the midst of a promotional process? Was it to block the more qualified individual who had previously filed a grievance, while at the same time accommodating those who were less qualified?

This unfair process is very transparent - hold back a black male to allow certain females affiliated with the BPSU and white males to prosper, and we wonder why some black males have so much animosity and a disinclination to abide by the law. (Not very encouraging is it?)

The black male who has lived through struggle, whose father deserted him before he was a teenager, who found employment with the Bermuda Government and was ambitious enough to further his education by attending night classes while he was fully employed; who obtained both his Bachelors and Masters Degree as a result, is now the subject of systemic discrimination.

Is this encouraging news for the black males who are hearing PLP candidate Mr. Elvin James state that "education means opportunity"? A Master's Degree for one black male hasn't led to much opportunity in the very Government Mr. James represents. I know Mr. James is just talking the talk with the hope of being elected; however, the truth needs to be told.

As Mr. Ball stated, one of his biggest criticisms is of people who only tell one side of the story, people who are not open to tell the truth; that's why I'm sharing my comments with the readers, they need to hear the other side and not be brainwashed by Mr. Ball's comments.

When I write, my aim is to be as factual as possible and not so much to tell the people what they want to hear, but to share the truth. It is not my intention to continually pounce on the BPSU, it's just that I have experienced deception first hand with the BPSU and I am bold enough to warn others of same.

The BPSU must be consistent and not selective in their representation as all members pay union dues and should, therefore, be treated equally.

The truth in this instance is that some people don't have to "fight tooth and nail" to accomplish what they strive for yet receive union support, while others are not so fortunate.

Why isn't Mr. Ball vocal about questionable practices that are being allowed in other promotional processes, i.e. the Immigration Department where bad behaviour is evidently rewarded?

By the way, not every thief has someone in position to pull strings for them when they're caught doing wrong: isn't that the truth? It's obvious with this Government that the bank robber, thieves and those who have abused the Government e-mail system have had better success in the hiring and promotional process.

Let's hear your side Mr. Ball.

J. CAINES

Devonshire