Oct 07 - Unite Protests Customs Department Rotation
In a protest against the new rotation system implemented by the Customs Department, Unite the Union claims that it has not formed part of the negotiating process in the introduction of the new system . They add that although they no longer hold the negotiating rights for Customs Officers, however they do hold representational rights for their members.
Commenting on the matter a Unite spokesperson noted, ‘Unite also recognises that Government through its management structures, can at times deploy employees in order to make better use of its own internal resources. However, the rights of its employees must be respected in all processes of change irrespective of the employee’s affiliation or beliefs. Cronyism and or bullying tactics must not prevail in places like the Customs Department that performs such an important role to our community.
Some of these employees that have been appointed by a departmental selection procedure are expected to lose their rights in respect to those appointments. This is irrespective of the time they have been performing their respective jobs and without any consideration being given to a substantial loss of earnings.
This style of management will create a precedent throughout the entire Public Service that will serve to undermine terms and conditions of service. Today, as a result of this agreement acquired rights can be undermined with the support of a ‘majority’ but when the principle is accepted the ‘majority’ is no longer needed either in the Customs Department or in any other Government Department.
As a Trade Union we cannot accept the conditions under which the new rotation system is being implemented because it is unfair and unjustified and defies all sense of good management techniques.
The process of ‘Rotation’ in the Customs department is not intended to improve the service. It is introduced to appease the demands of a few that are seeking to promote their own personal interest.
Government, through its management structure in the Customs Department are adamant to impose these measures that undermine basic employee rights. The agreement will be signed with the GGCA union irrespective of the effects that this can have in the rest of the Public Service.
Therefore we publicly request from management to provide us with all documentation regarding the future restructure of the Customs Department.’
