A message from Her Majesty the Queen, Head of the Commonwealth.
One of the great benefits of today’s technology-based world is the range of opportunities it offers to understand and appreciate how others live: we can see, hear and enter into the experience of people in communities and circumstances far removed from our own.
A remarkable insight we gain from such windows on the world is that, however different outward appearances may be, we share a great deal in common.
Our circumstances and surroundings may vary enormously, for example in the food we eat and the clothes we wear, but we share one humanity, and this draws us all together. The joys of celebration and sympathy of sadness may be expressed differently but they are felt in the same way the world over.
How we express our identities reveals both a rich diversity and many common threads. Through the creative genius of artists – whether they be writers, actors, film-makers, dancers or musicians – we can see both the range of our cultures and the elements of our shared humanity.
“Connecting Cultures”, our Commonwealth theme this year, encourages us to consider the special opportunities we have, as members of this unique gathering of nations, to celebrate an extraordinary cultural tapestry that reflects our many individual and collective identities. The Commonwealth treasures and respects this wealth of diversity.
Connecting cultures is more, however, than observing others and the ways in which they express themselves. This year, our Commonwealth focus seeks to explore how we can share and strengthen the bond of Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy by using our cultural connections to help bring us even closer together, as family and friends across the globe.
To support this theme, a special song has been composed for the Commonwealth, ‘Stronger as One’. There are any number of ways in which that single piece of music alone can be played or sung anywhere in the Commonwealth. And by sharing the same music with our own personal interpretations and contributions, the wonderful human attribute of imagination is nourished, and we gain insights of understanding and appreciation of others.
The Commonwealth offers a pathway for this greater understanding and the opportunity to expand upon our shared experiences in a wider world. A world in which paths to mutual respect and common cause may also be explored and which can draw us together, stronger and better than before.
CEO ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER AGREEMENT
Commenting on the conclusion of the fire fighters at Turks and Caicos Airports, Patrick Boyle, Chief Executive, TCI Government said in a statement to RTC news:
“Our ongoing discussions with the fire-fighters and their representatives throughout the weekend produced a positive result late yesterday afternoon with the calling off of further industrial action.
“We have agreed the following package with fire-fighters: that proposals to transfer fire-fighters to the TCI Airport Authority are withdrawn; we are committed to investing in essential safety equipment; we will review pay as part of the wider civil service review; further assess training needs and develop a plan to maintain training to the highest international standards; I will visit staff in both Provo and Grand Turk airport fire stations this week.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the public servants who worked with us to minimise the impact of the action reopening Providenciales Airport again on Saturday afternoon and keeping it open throughout on Sunday. I am sorry that the other airports had to close as we could not muster sufficient numbers of fire-fighters at them to allow them to meet minimum safety requirements.
“I am also sorry for the inconvenience caused to thousands of tourists and to local tourism-based businesses. This is a dispute from which no winners emerged.
“It arose despite our communications with the fire-fighters over a period of time which had informed them that it was the Government’s intention to transfer them to the TCI Airports Authority. Such a transfer would have protected their rights and conditions of service such as pay, length of employment and pensions. Further, under the terms of the transfer we would have given the TCIAA $500,000 for improvements at the family islands airports, such as South Caicos and Salt Cay. While it is clear that in the circumstances the strike was unjustified, I am looking forward to working with the fire-fighters to ensure an effective and modern airports fire service in TCI.”
RTC can now confirm that the Governor will be on RTC Wednesday 14th to talk about the strike among other issues including the milestones.
UPDATE ON STAND OFF WITH FIREFIGHTERS & TCIG
In the on going debate between TCIG & the CSA as mediators for the fire fighters the following is the latest to RTC News.
On Sunday March 11, 2012 at 3pm, the Interim Administration represented by CEO, Mr. Patrick Boyle, Mr. Mark Greenway and Mr. Peter White met with Fire Officers on Grand Turk and Providenciales who were represented by the CSA's President, Vice President, PRO and Legal advisor. At the meeting, the issues relating to the continued strike action by the Fire Officers were discussed.
These issues are as follows:
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The termination of the services of Fire Officers from TCIG without payment of severance as required by law.
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The poor conditions of the office and working facilities in Grand Turk, Providenciales and the Family Islands. This is particularly the case in Grand Turk where officers are working out of a mole infested trailer without proper security and ventilation since 2008.
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The allegations of poor management of the Fire Department
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The lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and the sharing of PPE, which poses significant health risks. Also the issue of PPEs being poorly maintained and insulated, putting Fire Officers at risk of significant injuries and death while attending to fires.
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The lack of working equipment and vehicles which are poorly maintained and hence putting the lives of the Firemen and flight passengers at risk.
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Lack of ongoing training of Fire Officers to maintain skills and competencies.
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The poor remuneration of Fire Officers who are some of the lowest paid Civil Servants
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The lack of risk allowances and inadequate insurance coverage for the vital and essential frontline employees who have a very high risk of injury.
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The exclusion of Fire Officers from applying for the Voluntary Severance Package
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Inter Alia
The issues were discussed in detail and the following decisions were made:
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TCIG maintained that the termination of the services of the Fire Officers and their employment in TCIAA was off the table and would not be reintroduced by TCIG unless requested and discussed by Fire Officers and CSA.
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With the above decision the payment of severance was unnecessary
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The CSA and Fire Officers maintained that the transfer of the Aerodrome Fire Service to TCIAA was an excellent policy decision except for the non-payment of severance to those persons to be terminated. CSA indicated that it intends to reintroduce the subject of transfer of the Aerodrome Fire Service to TCIAA at a later date.
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TCIG gave assurances that the following issues would be addressed expeditiously in the interest and wel-being of the Fire Officers and the safety of the officers and traveling public:
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As soon as possible (exact timeline to be agreed upon in follow up meetings), to provide proper safe working and office facilities that comply with accepted occupational health and safety standards.
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To address management issues within the Fire Department.
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To allow Fire Officers to apply for voluntary severance if they so desire.
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To provide adequate numbers of well-maintained and safe PPEs for use by Fire Officers thereby reducing their risk of injury and death.
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To provide appropriate work equipment and vehicles which are properly maintained thereby reducing the risk of injury and death to Firemen and the traveling public.
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To provide ongoing training for Fire Officers to maintain skills and competencies
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To make provisions for the re-grading of the salaries of Fire Officers as part of the general re-grading of Civil Servants and the payment of risk allowances and insurance coverage.
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By the middle of this week the CEO would visit Fire Officers at the aerodromes on Grand Turk and Providenciales especially to further discuss these issues and the timelines for resolution.
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The CEO, Fire Officers and CSA will follow up on the progress made with the resolution of these issues against agreed timelines.
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The Fire Officers were satisfied with the assurances given by the Administration that their concerns would be addressed as agreed to by TCIG, CSA and Fire Officers in accordance with the resolution statements above. This being the case the strike action ceased and the Fire Officers returned to work as of 5:30 pm March 11, 2012.
CSA
CSA RESPONSE TO CEO OF TCIG
On Friday evening of March 9, 2012 a number of Fire Officers employed with TCIG were issued letters terminating their services with TCIG and outlining terms and conditions under which
they were to be employed with Turks and Caicos Airports Authority (TCIAA).
However, these letters did not make provision for Fire Officers being terminated to be paid severance as required by Law.
The Fire Officers were unhappy with this offer as it denied them of their severance pay and hence they took the actions that they considered necessary to get the attention of the
Administration to deal with them fairly and to also address the many issues plaguing the Fire Services that have been neglected since 2008.
The CSA assisted the Fire Officers in negotiating with the Interim Administration in the interest of resolving these issues and returning the aerodrome to normalcy. The Administration refused to concede to the requests made by the CSA on behalf of the Fire Officers and refused to have a meeting with the Fire Officers to resolve the issues.
However, the Administration sent out an email withdrawing the letters of termination of services issued to the Fire Officers on March 9, 2012 in an attempt to bring closure to the actions
being taken by the Fire Officers.
The Fire Officers are of the position that there were too many promises in the past that were not kept and that despite the letters of termination being withdrawn,
they will not let up until the Administration meet with them to discuss their many issues which existed since hurricane Ike in 2008.
They are viewing the withdrawal of the termination letters as a delay tactic in the interest of getting the services back up and running without care to really address the concerns of the
Fire Officers.
The Fire Officers have been requesting an urgent meeting with the Administration since March 10, the beginning of the action. With respect to the press release issued by the Administration, we wish to make it clear that letters of termination were issued late in the evening on March 9, 2012 and not 1 week ago
as indicated by the the press release of yesterday. We also wish to challenge the severance amount that was quoted at over 3 million dollars.
The TCIG press release of last week stated that TCIG paid out 2.7 million dollars in voluntary severance to 225 civil servants who were accepted to date.
So it is inconceivable that the payment of regular severance to 84 very poorly paid Fire Officers can can cost over 3 million dollars.
These statements made by the Interim Administration are reckless and deliberately misleading. CSA President
Statement from TCIG CEO Patrick Boyle on strike with Firefighters
In light of the strike going on at the PLS airport which hased ceased all air traffic operations, TCIG CEO Patrick Boyle issues the following statement to RTC news.
"The wildcat strike was called following firefighters responding to letters received last week explaining that they were to be transferred from TCIG to TCI Aviation Authority management," said Patrick Boyle, Chief Executive, Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
"This straightforward transfer would have guaranteed their continuity of service and preserved their terms and conditions, and allowed more coherent management at the airport. To be clear, the job expected of them and how they are financially rewarded would not change.
"Responding to their demands today, I said that I would stop the transfer - they can stay as they are if that is what they prefer. However, the fire fighters want to be made redundant from TCIG, for them to receive lump sum compensation payments totalling $3m between them, and then for them to carry on doing the same job for the TCIAA.
This is clearly not a good use of TCI taxpayer's money. "Providenciales currently has enough staff to allow it to operate light aircraft. One of these has been sent to South Caicos Airport to collect additional staff there.
When these arrive shortly in Provo, larger aircraft will begin to take off and land again this evening."
FORUM ATTEMPTS TO DEBATE BILLS AGAIN ON 13th March 2012
THE THIRTY-FIRST (31st) SITTING OF THE CONSULTATIVE FORUM OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS WILL CONVENE ON TUESDAY 13th DAY OF MARCH 2012 IN THE NJS FRANCIS BUILDING, POND STREET, GRAND TURK AT 10:00 O’CLOCK.
LIKE THE LAST SESSION THAT WAS NOT ATTENDED BY THE AG HUW SHEPPARD & CEO MARK BOYLE, THE FOLLOWING AGENDA IS SCHEDULED:
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CROWN LAND BILL 2012
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PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2011
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PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2011
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PENSIONS (VALIDATION) BILL 2011
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NATIONAL INSURANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 2011
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PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT BILL 2012
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NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE BILL 2012
RTC WILL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF TODAY'S MEETING.
Police 24 hour crime recap 09-03-12
POLICE are investigating a burglary which took place in Blue Hills.
A Dell laptop and two cell phones were among items taken following the break-in, which occurred between 8.15am and 11.15am on Thursday March 8.
AN ACER laptop computer and items of clothing were taken by thieves who broke into a house in Cooper Jack Road, sometime between 10.15am and 2pm on Thursday March 8.
OFFICERS are appealing for information after intruders entered a home in Blue Mountain Road on Thursday (March 8) afternoon.
THIEVES made off with a silver Dell computer and a table after smashing their way into an apartment in Wheeland, Blues Hills.
The incident took place sometime between 11am and 6.30pm on Thursday (March 8).
A MAN is being questioned by police after a quantity of electric copper wire was stolen from a business premises in South Dock Road.
A MAN was arrested on suspicion of an attempted burglary that took place in December.
YOUTH NOT LEFT OUT OF INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Turks and Caicos Youth will be exposed to world renowned speaker and mentor, Dr. Myles Munroe thanks to the generosity of Pastor Bradley Handfield and the
initiative of the National Leadership Conference (NLC) Steering committee members.
"We want to ensure that the baton of leadership in The Turks and Caicos can be passed on to able-bodied and able-minded youth. We have determined
that the sort of excellence we see at these very early stages should be given the chance to glean from prestigious and prominent people like Dr. Myles,"
said Pastor Handfield, lead organizer.
Rev. Handfield, an educator who once served as a Head of the Geography Dept at Clement Howell High School; explained that select sixth graders will
be given complimentary passes to the conference, an effort spareheaded by Rachel Taylor, Principal of Enid Capron Primary School, Five Cays.
"We have also been in talks with the Vice-President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Provo Branch - Mr Samuel Forbes - to ensure
he has a group of his student leaders in attendance. Students who can benefit and then go back and share that knowledge" The National Leadership Conference is a first in what will be a series of sessions in 2012 to get Turks and Caicos Islanders ready for the return to elected government.
There are four elements to the NLC 2012:
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Official Opening Ceremony, Community Fellowship Centre on Sunday March 11, 2012 at 3 p.m. LIVE on Radio Turks and Caicos.
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Day Session, Brayton Hall featuring five speakers: Leon Williams, Corporate Leadership; Charlene Paul, Financial Leadership; Bishop George Fulford, Family Leadership; Bishop Derek Browne, Integrity in Leadership and Tremmaine Swann-Harvey, Youth Leadership. Session runs from 8am-3pm.
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Two evening sessions, Beaches Resort Villages & Spa featuring Dr. Myles Munroe 7-10 .m.
MAN ARRESTED AT PROVO AIRPORT
RTC News understands that Police, acting on information received, today (Thursday March 8) arrested a man as he disembarked a flight from Jamaica at the Providenciales International Airport.
The arrest is in relation to an unsolved murder that is being investigated by the RTCI Police Cold Crimes Unit (CCU).
No further updates was submitted to our news team in relations to this story.
PRINCIPAL CLEMENT HOWELL CLEARED
The Attorney General’s Chambers issued the immediate release to RTC News concerning Lloyd Fearon.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has reviewed the police investigation involving the Principal of Clement Howell School, Mr. Lloyd Fearon.
It is the opinion of the Attorney General, in the exercise of powers under section 39 of the Constitution, that it is not in the public interest to institute criminal proceedings against Lloyd Fearon.
This decision has been reached following a full investigation of the facts and circumstances; including the background of a highly volatile and disruptive gathering of students, the lack of intent to cause injury on the part of Mr. Fearon, and the requirement on him to maintain order and discipline in a hostile environment,
Background/rationale for decision
- Clement Howell School has a student population of over a thousand students. There are at least six security personnel employed at the school to keep order and to carry out searches of students, as required.
- On February 8, 2012 a violent fight broke out attracting over a hundred students to observe, many of whom formed a barrier to stop the guards from stopping the violence.
- Eventually the two students involved in the fight were brought to the Principal’s office. The students outside remained unruly.
- Mr. Fearon requested that all students return to classes. This instruction was not complied with. As a last resort he began swinging the cane to move the students to their classrooms. The student, subject of the complaint, was hit in the leg once with the cane causing a welt.
- Witnesses described the student subsequently following behind Mr. Fearon and challenging him in what was described as a threatening and derogatory manner. The student did not comply with repeated requests to return to class, and was struck with the cane for a second time before returning to class.
- Upon going home at the end of the school day the student’s father reported the matter to the police. A report was taken and the student was brought to hospital for consultation. Two bruises were recorded and no medical treatment was administered at the hospital.