No Union Shield for Public Officers Who Break Rules  

The PSU will defend public officers against unfair treatment, but it will not stand between wrongdoers and accountability. That is the union’s message as alleged misconduct within the Customs and Immigration Departments comes under growing scrutiny. President Dean Flowers says fair representation should never be mistaken for protecting improper conduct. He is calling for impartial investigations, transparent disciplinary proceedings and due process for everyone involved.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“We stand by the assertions in the press release that acts of corruption must be punished and must be punished to the full extent of the law. And as I’ve stated on previous occasion, it does not matter who it is, whether it’s a public officer who is a non-member or a public officer who’s a member. If they’re found to have committed a crime, if they are found to have breached a regulation let the law take its course. The only thing that we ask is that in accordance with the constitution, in accordance with the, with our collective bargaining agreement, in accordance with the public service regulations, that these people are afforded due process, that they’re informed of their rights to representation, and that the process by which they’re disciplined follows the law. That’s the only thing that we ask. But that we want them to be exposed, that we want them to be removed from the public service, if it is that they’re corrupt. We will support those type of actions.”

 

Flowers additionally urged public officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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