RTC News has received a letter from the office of Martin Stanley in relations to a strike scheduled for Monday November 28th,2011.
The letter from Mr.Stanley reads:
We are aware that a strike has been called for Monday and Tuesday, 28 and 29 November.We hope that many staff will ignore the call to strike, not least because public servants provide vital services to the public, so that the victims of the strike will not be ‘government’ or ‘management’ but will rather be your fellow citizens. It is particularly important that we do not deprive them of essential services such as medical, ambulance, police, fire and social services. It is also important that we do not disrupt the tourist industry which contributes so massively to our economy, and whose taxes pay for a very large part of our wages.
Nevertheless, we do respect the right of non-essential staff to strike, subject to loss of pay for the period whilst not at work (see General Orders 3.3.28). Please also be aware that:
- · Absence from work on the day(s) when strike action has been announced will be treated as if you are striking unless you have a legitimate reason for absence. For example:
o You will be granted sick leave where the sickness has been certificated prior to the strike. In cases where sickness begins on the day of the strike, you should obtain a certificate from a medical practitioner (GO. 8.2.2). (The concession which permit’s one day’s sick leave to be taken without obtaining a certificate is suspended.) o Other reasons for absence will only be accepted if annual leave has been granted (and recorded in writing) in advance, or if there is clear evidence of the need to be absent other than for strike purposes e.g. caring for a member of the family where there are no alternatives . Discuss such cases with your manager who will advise you on obtaining appropriate evidence.
- · If you do not intend to strike, you should make every attempt to attend your normal place of work. If for any reason the office is closed or access is difficult (threatening picket lines for example) you should report to the nearest alternative government department and report to a supervisor or a senior officer so that your attendance can be recorded. Otherwise you may be treated as striking. If it is absolutely impossible for you to report to any government premises, you should telephone a senior manager or OPSM and explain your circumstances.
- · Permanent Secretaries have been asked to ascertain, as best they can, whether staff who strike on 28/29 November were also on strike on 22 November and report accordingly to OPSM. Such staff will lose pay for 22, 28 and 29 November. Permanent Secretaries will however assume that those who work on 28/29 November also worked, or tried to work on the 22nd.
- · s.27 of the Trade Union Ordinance makes it a criminal offence to attend at premises in such numbers or in such manner as to intimidate and it makes it an offence for even one person to attend at another’s home to intimidate. The offence is punishable with a fine of up to $800 and/or 3 months gaol.
Martin Stanley
Chief ExecutiveTurks and Caicos Islands Government
