PICA employees restive

By Clinton McGregor    

 

The National Workers Union says it is trying to avert strike action by workers at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

 

The PICA employees are restive over the reclassification exercise at the agency.

 

The workers became restive after receiving their October salary.

 

According to NWU General Secretary Granville Valentine, under the reclassification exercise conducted by the Finance Ministry, junior and senior workers in the various departments have been lumped together and placed in the same band regardless of qualification and tenure.

 

"How can you have workers who would have worked 15 years, 10 years, experienced, fully qualified, more trained, etc. starting at the same level with the workers who just came in the categories? We're talking about the immigration officers, we're talking about the field officers, we're talking about passport workers, we're talking about other workers in commercial, and other officers, supervisors, etc. It is unfortunate. The system that is used is obviously flawed. And as a result, what is being given as the authority to use as tool is one that is also flawed," argued Mr. Valentine.

 

The trade unionist made it clear that the workers are agitated and this could lead to major disruptions in the country's immigration system.

 

"We have scheduled a meeting with the management team and with JCSA (Jamaica Civil Service Association) for Monday at 2 p.m., and we will be arranging the necessary meeting with finance, TIU, and of course the compensation department to ensure that we are at the same level and that this urgent matter is corrected with immediacy," he said.