Public Officers Get Health Checkups and COVID Shots

Public officers took time off from work today to check up on their health and wellness, amid the imminent salary cuts that they are facing.  This morning, they visited health centers and clinics across the country to get checkups, as well as vaccinations against COVID-19.  It is part of an ongoing series of activities leading up to industrial action at the end of a twenty-one day notice that has been served on the Briceño administration.  First Vice President Dean Flowers, of the Public Service Union, provided an update on today’s events.

Dean Flowers

Dean Flowers, Vice President, P.S.U.

“What we requested of public officers today was for them to visit their nearest clinics because the union has been in receipt of numerous complaints for guidance and assistance to public officers as a result of this proposed cut.  I think what we’re seeing is a lot of anxiety amongst public officers and we even have lost one sister who I know was really stressed because of this matter, even though, of course, we cannot tie her passing directly to this proposed cut.  But what we’re seeing is a lot of public officers reaching out to the union complaining about how this would affect them and imploring us to do all that we can to stop the possibility of them being plunged below the poverty line.  We know that the government through the Ministry of Public Service provides an employee assistance program for public officers who may be dealing with stress, domestic violence, who might be in financial problems, substance abuse.  And so we also realize that a lot of our members, a lot of public officers fall within those categories and if it is that based on the mandate being received membership and public officers, we will engage in this fight, we felt it prudent for public officers to get an understanding or even an update as to where they are health-wise.”