“There are available crowns who can step in,” AG Anthony Sylvestre
Of the eleven attorneys working out of the D.P.P.’s Office, five of them are out sick. That’s roughly fifty percent of the staff from that department that is absent from work. Despite the presence of six prosecutors on Monday and Tuesday, D.P.P. Vidal has had to request adjournments on matters before the High Court. That notwithstanding, Attorney General Sylvestre does not recognize the apparent sickout as a form of industrial action. Instead, he acknowledges the complement of prosecutors as the reason for the effective function of the judiciary.
Anthony Sylvestre
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“Whilst that may be true, as you would appreciate, that is the reason why you have so many crowns because there are measures that can be put in place and are being put in place presently to ensure that the work of the court continues.”
Reporter
“But importantly, you don’t see it as industrial action.”
Anthony Sylvestre
“I don’t see it as industrial action.”
Reporter
“It’s unprecedented, though, that so many counsels would be absent on one given day. Does this speak to a bigger issue, in terms of we need more?”
Anthony Sylvestre
“So, there are available crowns who can step in and I won’t go any further, simply to say that we have a full complement of persons who are able to provide the service of the crowns at the DPP’s office.”
Paul Lopez
“Sir, but what is being done to address the issues that were raised in that letter which seems to be, according to the reports we are receiving, the basis of this what you view to not be industrial action which is pay or compensation for work done, seeking a raise in that, as well as the issue concerning security. What actions are being taken to address these issues?”
Anthony Sylvestre
“So, as I’ve indicated, when the letter was first sent, I met with the crowns and representatives of the crowns on two occasions and they were healthy meetings and those meetings continue. And this is the reason why, speaking for myself, I cannot see or regard persons sending in notices that they are sick as industrial action.”
