NUPW President, Akanni Mcdowall (right) and Treasurer, Asokore Beckles.
President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Akanni McDowall is qualified to fill the post of Health Planning Officer I.
This is the unequivocal stance of the union as it responded to an article carried in another section of the press recently, with claims to the contrary.
In fact, in a brief statement issued to the media on Friday, the NUPW said that based on the requirements of the Civil Establishment Qualifications Order 2001, McDowall met the job’s conditions. “Mr. McDowall possesses a Masters in Public Health. All other Health Planners in the Ministry of Health possess the same qualification as Mr. McDowall,” the release read.
McDowall was reverted to his substantive post of Environmental Health Assistant I, after acting in the senior position for four months – a move which has brought the ire of the union, which
insists that he be reinstated.
Tomorrow, the NUPW will hear the decision of the Personnel Administration Division on the matter, having met with Chief Personnel Officer Gail Atkins and her senior officials on Thursday to present their case.
The CPO was expected to meet with the Public Service Commission to discuss the issue before the follow-up with the union.
After Thursday’s talks, General Secretary of the bargaining agency Roslyn Smith warned “if the response is not what we are anticipating, then we will continue our action.”
Meanwhile, seemingly in anticipation of a less than satisfactory response, the NUPW also called out all Shop Stewards for an emergency meeting tomorrow evening at 4.30 at the Union’s Dalkeith Headquarters.
Section: