PM urges public servants to be patient with reclassification

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has called on public servants, in particular teachers to be patient with the reclassification process, and encouraged them to engage in its development.{{more}}

Dr. Gonsalves addressed the matter on Tuesday during a press conference at Cabinet Room, where he informed public servants that the process is taking a bit longer than expected.

On June 15th, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union held an emergency general meeting, where they discussed the delay in the reclassification process, and voiced their objections to some proposals put forward by a consultation agency.

The union since then held talks with government officials airing their concerns.

Dr. Gonsalves on Tuesday admitted that he had hoped to have the teachers reclassification done by June this year, but had to push it back by a few months, since there are still some technicalities to be taken care of.

He added that while some posts can be upgraded, red circled or even down graded, an individual can not get a lower salary or pension plan than they were receiving before reclassification.

The Prime Minister said that a joint evaluation technical team is currently working on getting the process sorted out, and this would enhance productivity and make the public service a better place to work in the long run. (JJ)