PSU Rejects Gabb’s Appointment as Public Services Commission Chair

The dispute over Abelardo Mai’s appointment isn’t the only one drawing scrutiny. The Public Service Union is also challenging the appointment of Troy Gabb Sr. as interim chair of the Public Services Commission, a body that oversees appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters in the public service. PSU President Dean Flowers says the union was blindsided by the move and questions whether Gabb can remain impartial, arguing that his past public comments critical of unions and public officers could undermine confidence in the commission’s independence.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“The disclosure or the publication of Mr. Gabb’s temporary appointment caught us by surprise. And I want to start there because when the Honorable Henry Charles Usher took office in November of 2020, he gave me a courtesy call and he asked that we maintain a relationship of not only amicable, but that we maintain an open door of communication And these are matters that requires communication. I think that Ms. Price Murillo has been trying to do her best and really has been doing her best to try to be as impartial as possible. And even if she was that perfect chair, she would clearly be outnumbered by those persons on the commission that are labeled political and political fanatics, and that includes Mr. Gabb. And that is one of the reasons why we cannot support his appointment. But to add to that and more profounder is the fact that Mr. Gabb is seen by public officers and by the citizens of this country as somebody who speaks very strongly against the trade union movement, who is very critical of public sector workers and the public service union by extension in his commentaries from Monday through Wednesday on Love FM and Love FM Television. And so there is no way that Mr. Gabb can consider himself as an independent person in weighing in on matters of public servants that is brought before him in the commission.”

 

According to a July 23 notice in the Belize Gazette, Public Service Commission Chair Diana Price-Murillo is on leave and unable to carry out her duties. In the meantime, commission member Troy Gabb Sr. has stepped in as temporary chair until her return.

 

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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