THE WHEELS of justice could grind to a halt and sickly shut-ins could be left without medical care if government travel officers follow through on a threat to park their vehicles next Monday.
The 8,550 travel officers on Tuesday warned that they would suspend the travelling aspects of their jobs unless their dispute with the Government over outstanding allowances was settled.
An official in the Ministry of Finance said every Government ministry and every section of the public sector would be affected by such a move. Eddie Bailey, President of the Jamaica Civil Service Association, said the public would be most affected in the area of social services, while the government would be hit in the bottom line because many revenue collection agents are travelling officers.
Government agencies could also have problems balancing their books because many external auditors, who audit Government ministries and public sector establishments would also be off the job.
In addition to revenue agents and auditors, this group of civil servants includes health care workers, such as community health aides and public health nurses. In the education sector, there are education officers and principals, who are often required to travel on school business. The agricultural sector would also be affected, in relation to persons such as Extension Officers.
National security could also suffer because several police superintendents and officers in other supervisory roles fall into this category. Plus, the scales of justice might also be thrown off-balance as Clerks of the courts and prosecutors would be affected. Probation officers, who monitor wards of the court who are given probationary sentences, would also be missing in action.
In a special general meeting at the Jacisera Park headquarters of the Civil Service Association, travelling officers on Tuesday rejected the Government's latest offer.
The Civil Service Association, on behalf of travelling officers with vehicles, are demanding $202,640.04 per year, up from $168,816. The Government's latest offer was $180,000.
