Jamaica Civil Service AssociationAnnual Report

2017 - 2018

Presented to the

99th Annual General Meeting

May 24 – 25, 2018

Theme: “Persistent and Consistent, Advocating for the Worker:

100 years of Activism for Quality Public Services”

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Mission Statement

The Jamaica Civil Service Association seeks to uphold

the highest qualities of professional service to the

nation, through the guarantee of a highly trained

workforce of competent and committed persons

whose legitimate interest are safeguarded and affirmed

through membership in the organization.

1. The values, policies and actions of theJamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) areanchored in a world vision of democraticsocieties wherein quality public servicesadvance and protect human rights andfundamental freedoms, enabling equity,solidarity and prosperity to flourish.

2. The Jamaica Civil Service Association has anhistorical and deeply rooted commitmentto working to eliminate inequality, socialinjustice and the imbalances aggravated bycapitalism and financial profiteering in thedelivery of public services.

3. Public services are at the core of democraticsocieties founded on human rights, the ruleof law and social solidarity. Public servicesprovide equitable redistribution of wealthand in their delivery should ensure thatpeople are treated with equal respect,provided equal protection and live free ofdiscrimination without regard to age,gender, religion, national identity, race orethnicity, disability and sexual orientation.

4. Public services are an asset for sustainabledevelopment. Public services are essentialfor responsible public and private wealthcreation and sustainable economic growth.

5. Public sector workers have a critical role toplay in the creation of democratic publicpolicy and the practice of goodgovernance. Direct public service entitiesand the Jamaica Civil Service Associationmust ensure the integrity of the publicsector. High quality policy and goodgovernance are the foundation ofeconomic growth and development,creation of wealth, expansion of opportu-nities, and the widest social and economicintegration of members of a society.Corruption in all its forms thwarts good

governance and the people and should notbe tolerated.

6. Public services are financed by all for thebenefit of all. In practice, public services arepaid for by public revenues. These revenuesmust be raised through fair taxationpolicies.

7. Public services are a public good, designedto work in the interest of the people.Concern for the quality of public services isa mark of a society’s self-respect andcommitment to caring for all, especially itsmost vulnerable members.

8. The Jamaica Civil Service Association valuesthe common good. JCSA advocates forquality public services, recognizing thatpublic services of the highest level ofquality achievable are required forequitable distribution of growth andsustainable development. In accordancewith its Mission, JCSA promotes qualitypublic services that guarantee access, areaffordable, are democratically accountable,provide for social justice, elevate the qualityof life, and offer the opportunity ofprosperity.

9. The highest quality public services can onlybe delivered by workers whose rights arefully respected. To this end, the JamaicaCivil Service Association defends andadvances the fundamental rights andconditions of work including freedom ofassociation and the right to collectivebargaining and the health and occupa-tional safety of public service workersacross the Island

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Jamaica Civil Service Association Statement of Values

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NOTICEConvening the Ninety-Ninth Annual General Meeting of the JamaicaCivil Service Association

The Ninety-Ninth Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Civil Service Association will be held on24th – 25th May, 2018, commencing with the Official Opening on Thursday May 24, 2018, at 3:00p.m., at JACISERA Park, 31 Molynes Road, Kingston 10.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting will continue on Friday May 25, 2018 with the Business Session at JACISERA Park,commencing at 9:00 a.m.

All members are being encouraged to be in attendance and to participate in the proceedings.

Signed: Tifonie Powell-Williams (Mrs.) General Secretary

NOTICE of Grant of PollNotice is hereby given to the members of the Jamaica Civil Service Association that a poll has been granted for the Election of Officer to the position of FIRST VICE PRESIDENT.

The poll will be taken on the 14th day of May 2018 in the rural parishes and on May 25, 2018 at theAnnual General Meeting of the Association at JACISERA Park.

The names of the candidates as they will appear on the ballot are:

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT1. Clarke-Griffiths, Techa2. Frater, Clarence

No election will be held for the positions of THIRD VICE PRESIDENT and HONORARY TREASURER.

Mrs. Sharon Anderson and Mrs. Paulette Bruce-Williams have been duly returned as Third VicePresident and Honorary Treasurer respectively, all other candidates having declined to contest thepositions.

Signed: Pauline WelshHonorary Election OfficerElectoral Office, Duke Street

Contents

Agenda .............................................................................................................................................................7

President’s Message ....................................................................................................................................9

Message from the Governor General..................................................................................................11

Message from the Prime Minister .......................................................................................................12

Message from the Leader of the Opposition ...................................................................................13

Solidarity Messages...................................................................................................................................14

Organizational Structure .........................................................................................................................16

General Secretary's Overview................................................................................................................18

Pictorial ..........................................................................................................................................................43

Flashback 98th AGM .................................................................................................................................45

Minutes of the 98th Annual General Meeting .................................................................................47

Executive Committee................................................................................................................................60

General Council ..........................................................................................................................................61

Sub-Committees.........................................................................................................................................64

Honorary Treasurer's Report...................................................................................................................66

Independent Auditor’s Report ............................................................................................................69

Financial Statements.................................................................................................................................70

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AgendaOpening Session

Call to Order

Reading of Convening Notice

Invocation

Welcome/Introduction/Apologies

Greetings

• Cabinet Office

• HLSTUEI

• JCTU

Declaration/Official Opening

Item

President’s Address Introduction of Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address

Item

Presentation of Awards

Vote of Thanks

Benediction

National Anthem

Adjournment

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Business SessionResumption

Prayer

Workshops

Lunch

Confirmation of Minutes (98th AGM)

Matters Arising

Presentation of Annual Report

Financial Statement

Motions/Resolutions

Awards of Honoraria

New and other Business

Appointment of Auditors

Declaration of Officers

Termination

99years! Wow! The Jamaicanlandscape has been impacted bythe existence of the Jamaica Civil

Service Association from its formation on May6, 1919. Some will say it’s a significant impact.Many more will say it’s what is expected fromthe Union that represents the largest concen-tration of tertiary educated people in thecountry and possibly the region.

From the reading of past annual reports of theJCSA, we can conclude that our journey overthese 99 years has been like a long ocean ride,sometimes with nice winds and calm seas andat other times, stormy. There were also thosetimes when we were dead in the water with nowind in our sails. However, through it all andnotwithstanding the varying fortunes of thecountry, as the Public Sector workers’ represen-tative we have remained relevant.

This relevance is being tested now as weapproach 100 years of existence and I must saythat we have responded well to the challenge.We represent a more diverse demographic thanat any other time in our history. Workers’ rightshave now been translated to mean humanrights. Gender is a critical issue affecting ourwork. Climate change and adaptation is a topicinjected into every conversation we have.

The public sector is no longer a homogenousentity; it is divided into sectors and each sectorhas its own nuances. Crime and the rule of law(or lack thereof ) has caused us to think moredeeply on how to position our public servicesto fix what is wrong with Jamaica.

Waste management and the preservation of theenvironment, land, sea and air, are being lookedat through economic lenses. The role of publicor private or public/private partnerships is

being scrutinized even more keenly as wegrapple with how to finance public services ina tight fiscal space. In that tight fiscal space weare challenged in our pursuit of Tax Justicewhich is significantly impacted by corruption.

The country has been bombarded with “weneed to spend less on Public Sector wagerelated costs and invest more in our economyto achieve economic growth” and so the publicsector ends up being one of the lowest paid inthe Caribbean. At the same time, we are stillbeing blamed for the lack of economic growthin a subtle way, without any realization of thefact that it is the public sector that must be thevanguard of the sovereignty of Jamaica. So thecountry is toying with the idea of puttingPermanent Secretaries on “PerformanceContracts” which is one way of saying we wantto fire you without cause or due process!

In all of this, where is the protection that thepublic sector worker needs? We have selflesslycarried the country on our backs through thestormy waters of the financial crisis. With nowind in our economic sails, we took up the oarsand rowed the ship by accepting no or lowwage increases up to 2021. We agreed tocontribute to our pension; we are executing theMaster Rationalization Plan; and despite us

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2018

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surpassing all the indicators of an economy onthe right course, we are called lazy, inefficientand “too bureaucratic”. The response has beena deepening of precarious employmentpractices by the use of contracts with theubiquitous 25% gratuity being used as a proxyfor lack of job security. This is a manipulation ofthe low wage environment that exists in thePublic Sector to keep some talent.

As your representative we must congratulatethe public sector workers of Jamaica. We havedone well with little. We have been innovativedespite the low level of investment in publicservices and we have followed through onpolicy decisions, knowing they will negativelyimpact us and our families. As we transform thePublic Sector let us transform the workers’ lives.The following need to be done post haste:1. Improve the post retirement care of Public

Officers2. Revamp the contract employment policies

of the Government to provide for decentwork

3. Develop a strong sexual harassment policyand the related guidelines for publicofficers

4. Promote the wellbeing and future of youngpeople in public services

5. Improve the health benefits of workers6. Make the leave arrangements in the public

sector more equitable7. Complete the compensation policy of the

Government8. Amend existing legislation (Employment

Termination and Redundancy PaymentAct); and pass new ones (OccupationalSafety and Health Act) for the public sectorworkers.

These are 8 steps that will take us forward inpromoting and securing the wellbeing of theworkers in the Public Sector and will set thetone for the Private Sector even as our politicalleaders size up Public/Private Partnerships.

As we approach our 100 Years, the 8 issues willcontinue to be a focus as we remain relevant toJamaican Public Sector Workers and theiradvancement.

O’Neil W. Grant, MBAPresident

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Igreet you warmly as you host the 99th Annual GeneralMeeting (AGM) of the Jamaica Civil Service Association(JCSA).

Although the history of the Civil Service itself predates theformalization of a body dedicated to the representation ofgovernment employees, civil servants have individuallyand collectively remained committed to their island home.Jamaica has reason to be proud of the contribution madeby civil servants in the implementation of governmentprogrammes and policies in the interest of realizingnational development goals.

Indeed, several programmes which have been successfullyintroduced in Jamaica, have received accolades from othercountries as well as international organisations, with a fewbeing replicated as examples of best practices.

This year’s AGM is taking place at a time of significantchange in the public sector, as efforts continue tostreamline and rationalize the sector and optimize the useof available resources. Your theme for this year’s meetingalludes to a shared vision for the strengthening of thepublic service in Jamaica, while you remain steadfast inyour advocacy for the rights of the worker.

It is hoped that the deliberations will be meaningful andequip participants with more efficient strategies toenhance the quality of work they perform in the fast-changing global economy within which they operate.

As you approach the 100-year milestone, I encourage themembers to continue to display the highest professionalstandards, and hope that the 99th Annual GeneralMeeting will set the stage for many more years of highquality public service delivery in Jamaica.

Message fromThe Governor-General

His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen

ON, GCMG, CD, KST.J

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THE MOST HON. ANDREW MICHAEL HOLNESS,

ON, MP

Message fromThe Prime Minister

and posture is needed to ensure the smoothand effortless transition where necessary andimprovement in the delivery of timely andefficient first class quality customer service. Theviability of the public service must be achievednot only in the ability of the government toacquiesce to demands, but in the accountabilityand results oriented evaluation of systems andhuman resources.

Let us commit and continue to forgepartnerships in the pursuance and achievementin economic growth and development for ourcountry and all its citizens in keeping with ouragreement and target for Vision 2030 andcontinue to make our country the ultimatechoice to live, work and raise families as weremain persistent and consistent in advocatingfor the Jamaican worker.

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The upcoming centennial celebration ofthe Jamaica Civil Service Associationmust be applauded as one of the

hallmarks of stellar institutions of activism andadvocacy on behalf of more than 100,000 hard-working and dedicated public sector workers allacross our country recognized for their contri-bution to nation building. As the chief publicservant, I recognize all too well the sacrifice,challenge and compromise faced whilemandated to offer optimum output and thehighest level of accountability to the nation.

I would like to also use this opportunity toexpress my appreciation for the spirit ofunderstanding, selflessness, national andeconomic priority which is the fulcrum of thenegotiations process. It speaks to the robustspirit of representation on behalf of publicsector workers with battles at the bargainingtable, intertwined with a realization of the fiscalmanagement, responsibilities and obligationsto our external agencies such as theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF). There isneed for a higher level of cooperation whichseeks to ultimately and amicably resolve theissues without the constant need for a standoffbetween the government and public sectorworkers via the JCSA.

My administration has led the way in offeringthe best possible packages available under themost challenging circumstances in the publicsector negotiations but admittedly the austeremeasures we have adhered to will ultimatelycreate the kind of economic growth required toexpand capacity in remuneration.

The matter of public sector reform and transfor-mation continues with a systematic approachand now more than ever collaborative effort

Since its inception in 1919 the Jamaica CivilService Association (JCSA) has built a finetradition of representation and

demonstrated high standards of profes-sionalism in its service to the nation.

As you approach your centenary, the people ofJamaica readily appreciate the validity of yourtheme “Persistent and Consistent, Advocatingfor the Worker: 100 years of Activism for QualityPublic Services”.

It is this commitment that has motivated yourmembers over the years to serve with suchdedication and competence. As the tasks ofgovernance become more complex, I would liketo urge you to continue the process ofstrengthening the capacity of the JCSA’smembership to ensure Jamaica’s progress in anincreasingly competitive global environment. It is against this background that your role inthe transformation of the public sector assumescritical importance.

Let me wish you every success in your futureendeavours and look forward once again toyour partnership and support in the building ofa Jamaica that works for all.

THE HON. DR. PETER PHILLIPS, MP

Message fromThe Leader Of The Opposition

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Ninety-nine years and heading into thecentury mark. What an achievement!The theme chosen for your Annual

General Meeting reflects the consistency andcommitment of the JCSA.

Very encouraging is the fact that the Union is atthe forefront for Quality Public Services - aposition which will assist in erasing doubts thattrade unionism is not only about collectivebargaining but is also concerned about theoverall development of the entire population.Of course quality public services cannot berestricted to service delivery. The humandevelopment of service providers is ofparamount importance.

Adequate training, reasonable remuneration,safe working environment, empowerment ofemployees are just a few of the many aspects ofquality public services.

While there is still so much which needs to bedone, the contribution made by the JCSA to theimprovement which has been achieved thus farcannot be ignored. Definitely, had it not beenfor the JCSA the situation in terms of workingconditions would have been worse.

Please accept on behalf of the Dominica PublicService Union (DPSU) and the Caribbean PublicServices Association (CPSA) our wishes for afruitful and inspiring conference.

Thomas LetangGeneral SecretaryDPSU&CPSADominica

Persistent and consistent advocacy hasindeed been the hallmark of the JamaicaCivil Service Association (JCSA). This has

ensured the organization’s longevity throughincreasingly trying times.

As long as our economies continue tounderperform and our Governments continuethe entrenchment of public officers, publicservice unions across the region will continueto tirelessly preach the message that there areother alternatives to achieving economicgrowth. It is well established that when publicofficers are allowed to be productive andprofessional, benefits redound to both workersand the country as a whole.

Our Unions have always negotiated forincreased efficiencies, discontinuation of theplagues of nepotism and favouritisms, andoptimum allocation of scare resources. TheJamaica Civil Service Association has called foraccountability from those holding public office.Indeed, if there is to be any kind of equality inthe public service, activism must never cease.

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW)salutes the JCSA and stands ready to continuethe fight with you. Your theme is particularly aptat this time. May your persistent, consistentadvocacy for workers across the Jamaica publicservice continue for another 100 years.

In solidarity,

Sis. Roslyn SmithGeneral SecretaryThe National Union of Public WorkersBarbados

Solidarity MessagesDOMINICA PUBLIC SERVICE UNION(Formerly Dominica Civil Service Association)

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THE NATIONAL UNION OF PUBLIC WORKERS

It gives me great pleasure to bring thismessage on behalf of the JamaicaGovernment Pensioners Association to

the 99th Annual General Meeting of theJamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA).

The JGPA brings you very warm andfraternal greetings and wishes you a verysuccessful Annual General Meeting in thisyour 100th year. I am especially delightedto congratulate you on the attainment of100 years of formation, and I wish you verysuccessful centenary Anniversarycelebrations. Indeed your theme for thisyear’s Annual General Meeting of“Persistent and Consistent, Advocating forthe Worker: 100 Years of Activism forQuality Public Services” is a fitting one thathighlights your raison d’être andrecognises the value of those whom youseek to represent and serve.

We, as an Association representingmembers of the JCSA in retirement fromthe Jamaica Government Service, exhortyou to continue your sterling work ofrepresentation and advocacy, consistentlyseeking to provide quality service in thedelivery of all services to the public ofJamaica.

We stand ready to serve your members asthey progress into their next phase.

Yours in service.Johnathan Brown, BH (M)President, Jamaica GovernmentPensioners Association

JAMAICA GOVERNMENTPENSIONERS ASSOCIATION(JGPA)

Greetings from the National Executive, Staff andMembers of the National Union of Governmentand Federated Workers (NUGFW) on this your

99th Annual General Meeting themed; ‘Persistent andConsistent, Advocating for the Worker: 100 years ofActivism for Quality Public Services’. We salute yourachievements that could only have been actualized bysteady batting at the crease, as the skilful batsman wouldrespond to each delivery with the appropriate stroke andpatiently timing the loose delivery to hit for six, so too,in your ninety-nine years as a Union, you would have hadto patiently measure each delivery from the employerand respond with the appropriate action.

The NUGFW believes that activism continues to be themain way for Trade Unions to ensure that employmentpolicies empower workers and leave them in a workenvironment where the rights of workers prevail. TheLabour Movement must continue with activism to effectchange that ensures a just deal and a better life for all.

Recognition must be given to every action that you havetaken for the past ninety-nine (99) years on behalf ofworkers. JCSA, in your 100th year of service to theworking class and entire citizenry of Jamaica you areconsidered centurions in the Trade Union Movementwithin the Caribbean Region, for this achievement youare exemplars to activists and other defenders of therights of working class.

National Executive, Brothers and Sisters of JCSA, theNUGFW applauds your many accomplishments and weencourage you to continue to hold the fort as we journeytogether towards a just, fair and equitable society andQuality Public Services for the entire Caribbean Region.

We salute you.

In solidarity,Sis Jillian Joy Bartlett-AlleyneGeneral Secretary Trinidad and Tobago

Solidarity MessagesNATIONAL UNION OFGOVERNMENT AND FEDERATEDWORKERS (NUGFW)

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Missing:Kevin CornwallKhadrea FolkesDave Noel Williams Raymond Poyser

Organizational Structure

Michael Thompson

Patricia Jackson Natalie James

Techa Clarke-GriffithsSandra Cameron Clarence FraterAnn MarieCampbell Bell

Charmaine Gillette-McLellan

Denham Whilby

Onydeen Lawrence

Angela Burrell-Rodney

Bro. O’Neil GrantPresident

Bro. Robert St. F. ChungFirst Vice President

Sis. Gillian CorrodusSecond Vice President

Sis. Sharon AndersonThird Vice President

Sis. Paulette Bruce-WilliamsHonorary Treasurer

Executive Officers

Officer Corps

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General Secretary Tifonie Powell-Williams

Administration CoordinatorGeorge Thorpe

Administrator South Central Claudette Parker

Regional Administrator WesternSydoney Brackett

Industrial Relations OfficerJunior Latibeaudiere

Industrial Relations OfficerJoy Tucker

Administrative Assistant Racquel Stephenson

Executive Assistant Helen Hutchinson-Mason

Training & ResearchCoordinator Patrice Porter

Industrial Relations OfficerKeisha James

Accountant (Acting)Crystal Lee-Brown

Member Service OfficerMellissa Woolcock

First Impression OfficerClaudette Walcott

Regional AdministratorNorth East Marilyn Hines

Data Entry Clerk Candice Dennis

Office AttendantShanna Dee McDonald

MessengerHoward Hutchinson

JACISERA Park -CaretakerRadcliffe Anderson

JACISERA Park- Part Time Cleaner Barbara Haughton

Records ManagementClerk Nadine Robinson

Member Service OfficerKalesha Fogarthy

Industrial Relations OfficerJoan Hughes Drysdale

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Secretariat Staff

This has been a demanding but exhila-rating year of challenges, hard work andachievements. We have been called upon

to deliver on the promise to walk the talk of“Persistent and Consistent Advocating for theWorker”

High on the priority list were the vigorousrounds of Negotiations for the period 2017 to2019 in which we participated under theumbrella of the Jamaica Confederation of TradeUnions.

However, also demanding special attention wasworker education, training and development. Inthis era, when the world is moving at anincredible pace and the changes are comingfast and furious, knowledge is of paramountimportance. What you don’t know can hurt you;it could be detrimental to health, well-beingand your ability to get up and stand up for yourrights. This is why we have placed heavyemphasis on equipping members as well asstaff at all levels with the essential knowledgeand skills to navigate the world of work fortoday and tomorrow. For example, we focusedon what has turned out to be a most topicalissue, Occupational Safety and Health andisland-wide training sessions were organized inpreparation for new legislation.

Also, many hours have been spent by ourexperts, internal and external, going around theisland bringing members up to date onPensions and Pension reform. The new Actwhich was passed on April 1 raised theretirement age to 65 for both men and women.Staff and members have benefitted fromseveral workshops in various areas designed toimprove efficiency and effectiveness.

The range of subjects to be addressed byforward thinking unions is constantlyexpanding. One that is becoming more

relevant every day is diversity at the workplace.What is known for sure is that in relation toperspectives and needs one size does not fit all.People are different and they experience lifedifferently in the community, at the workplaceand even in church. As men and women,youth and seniors, rural folk and city dwellers,our union family aims to be inclusionary,honouring differences such as age, gender, race,class, religion, politics and other lines ofdemarcation. But if we want to create a worldthat works for everyone, there has to be equity.And if there is to be equity there is need tomeasure the impact of policies, programmesand prejudices on different groups and removesuch handicaps as arise.

For example, research has revealed that youngworkers are extremely vulnerable in relation toprecarious employment and other issuesaddressed under the Decent Work Agenda. Aknown practice is for contracts to be offered byemployers instead of regular jobs in order toavoid providing job security, pensions andvarious benefits. It is to ensure that suchpractices are discontinued that we need youngmembers whose primary focus is on their peers(up to age 35). We applaud our Young WorkersCommittee which has been looking at issues

GENERAL SECRETARY’S OVERVIEW

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impacting this group, actively recruitingmembers and forging links with regional andinternational associations.

Another vulnerable group is women. Despitethe gains that have been made, women andgirls still face such challenges as harassmentand violence at home, in their communities andat the workplace. With this in mind, the JCSAsupports the call for an ILO Convention onending violence and harassment againstwomen and men in the world of work and theGovernment of Jamaica has been so informed.There are many other areas of concern. Forexample, women climbing the ladder of successstill meet upon that invisible “glass ceiling”, forexample being mysteriously excluded fromhigh-level decision-making. The JCSA Women’sAction Committee continues its work topromote and protect the cause of women at theworkplace. On March 8, International Women’sDay, the WAC members joined with womenaround the globe in committing to the theme,#Press for Progress. They also welcomed thenewly formed WAC in St. Mary.

Supporting young persons and women is justone way of achieving unity in our diversity.

Finding novel approaches to enhancing thequality of the work experience is yet anotherway and the JCSA through its collectivebargaining process, has continued to seekimprovements in fringe benefits as well assalaries. During the year, we pursued variousavenues in order to provide more benefits forour members through negotiation withemployers as well as private sector sources.Benefits include healthcare, housing, travelling,computer loans and miscellaneous loans, justto name a few.

We have successfully negotiated discountedfares from Knutsford Express for JCSA memberswho use the bus service and there is also in

place the Consumer Group (Mini Mart) whichallows members to purchase groceries atdiscounted prices.

Brothers and sisters, as we begin the final lap ofour journey toward the One Hundredth milepost, let us go forward with pride in our pastachievements and confidence in our ability tograsp the opportunities the future holds. Wehave worked, we have planned, we havedeveloped and delivered strategies and wehave the experience of weathering manystorms.

To the President, who has led his team ofOfficers, the Executive Committee and GeneralCouncil throughout the year to be able to focuson the priorities, despite the challenges andremain persistent in achieving the goals set outat the start, I say thank you for leading so well.

I recognize and thank our dedicated membersof staff who have embraced the changes andchallenges associated with implementingcontinued improvements as we strive to deliverbeyond all expectations.

In our country and all over the world people arefacing challenges of sharing space on planetEarth. Simply put, human beings are just notgetting along with each other and yet, this is atime when we need each other more than everbefore. Only cooperation, collaboration andunity of purpose will save us and save ourworld. At times like this we can truly appreciateour JCSA family as we prove every day, thatunity is strength.

Tifonie Powell-Williams General Secretary

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ADMINISTRATION

Strategic Planning SessionsAims and Objectives.! To constantly improve the social and

economic wellbeing of our members;! to enhance the esteem in which public

sector workers are held by our internal andexternal clients, by identifying andexploiting opportunities for improvementsin the service we provide through theteamwork, and by the application ofappropriate and up-to-date tools andtechnologies in suitable environments;

! to constantly seek to identify and exploitopportunities for personal and professionaldevelopment and advancement of ourmembers and staff;

! to foster, establish and maintain fraternalrelationships and affiliations with otherlocal and international organizations ofsimilar aims and objectives to provideeducational opportunities and mutualsupport in times of need;

! to foster and enhance the esprit de corpsamong our staff, members and wider publicservice.

Eight (8) key strategic projects are currentlybeing undertaken and will be carried through2016 to 2020. These include:1. Acquisition and Implementation of a

membership database management system.2. The strengthening of Institutional Capacity

of our Secretariat and Regional Offices3. Implementation of a “business” enhance-

ment plan4. Establishment of self-accounting5. Development of a Sector focus6. Consumers’ Solutions (Members’ Benefit)7. JCSA Centenary Committee8. Redevelopment of JACISERA Park

Various initiatives have been employed to assistour representational network as well as toreduce the incidences of poor or non-existentcommunication. This will continue throughoutthe five (5) years.

Corporate Governance PolicyThe operations of the Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation are structured to ensurecompliance with the Aims and Objectsenshrined within its Constitution and asdirected by its General Membership arisingfrom general meetings.

The Executive Committee recognized the needto adhere to best practices in corporategovernance and approved a CorporateGovernance Policy to ensure that it is consistentin the application of best practices in pursuit oftransparency, accountability and integrity in allthe operations of the Association. This willensure the high maintenance of ethicalstandards of all employees and ExecutiveMembers in line with the organization’s mission.

Affiliation PolicyAn Affiliation Policy was developed andapproved by the Executive Committee as theexisting mechanism was in need of anoverhauling. The purpose was to improveeffectiveness and adaptability to the currentrealities of the various public sector professionalgroupings.

General Council RetreatIn continuation of the development of ourCouncil Members, the training of DepartmentalRepresentatives began at our Annual GeneralCouncil Retreat which was held at the HolidayInn Sunspree Resort, Montego Bay, St.James from June 8 to 10, 2017. Among thetopics covered were Pension Administration;Unjustifiable and Wrongful Dismissal; Effective

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Departmental Representative: Role andFunctions; Effective Chapter Management; CaseManagement; Collective Responsibilities - theCorporate Governance Framework; CommitteeWork and Volunteerism; Young Workers andDecent Work Agenda.

At the end of the Retreat, the evaluationexercise showed that Council members weregenerally satisfied with the content of thepresentations and the overall planning of theevent. The consensus was that the presen-tations provided valuable information,involvement in the sessions was encouragedand participants benefited significantly fromthe Retreat.

JCSA Website The JCSA website is up and running again. • Members can visit the website at

www.jacisera.org

Social Media PlatformsOther social media platforms have beenimplemented for members to communicatewith us.• Like us on Facebook• Follow us on Twitter • Email us at jcsasecretariat@jacisera.org

Renovation of SecretariatThe organization has grown over the years andthe current office space has become outdated.In order to meet increased demands, we havecommenced plans to renovate the office.Creating efficient use of space will allow us toproperly cater to our members as well asimprove our staff morale and performance. Thefull staff complement is Twenty-Three (23).

Redevelopment of JACISERA ParkThe upgrading of JACISERA Park which started

in 2016, is being undertaken on a phased basis.So far renovation has been done to the kitchen,one meeting room, the restrooms and the roof.

The second phase of the project saw theclearing of the field and planting of grassseedlings, the installation of Eight (8) - 1,000gallon water tanks and the erection of fencingaround the property.

Molynes United Football Club through DigicelSportsMax, recently agreed to partner with theAssociation to utilize the Football Field andpremises to host league matches. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 31, 2018.

The next phase will focus on the netball courtsand seating.

President’s Christmas Social The Christmas Social which has become anannual event is hosted by the President. Thesocial was held on Friday December 15, 2017, atour Recreational Centre, JACISERA Park.General Council and the wider membershipcame out and enjoyed the event which cateredto over One Hundred (100) persons.

JCSA Centenary CommitteeOn May 6, 2019, the Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation will be celebrating One Hundred(100) years as an organization and to mark thismilestone, a series of activities leading up to theactual date are to take place.

To spearhead the planning and executionof the programme of activities, a CentenaryCommittee was established. The committee iscomprised of, but not limited to:• the sitting President; • the General Secretary; • all living Past Presidents of the JCSA;• one representative from each section of the

JCSA family;• a Representative from the Government

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Pensioner Association;• a representative from the Ministry of

Finance; and• a representative from the Cabinet OfficeActivities leading up to the centenary will

include a Men’s Forum, Women’s Forum andYoung Workers’ Forum. The celebration willculminate with a banquet.

HUMAN RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT

Strengthening of the IndustrialRelations UnitThe JCSA Strategic Plan has placed someemphasis on having an efficient IndustrialRelations (IR) arm and part of this thrust was toincrease the number of Industrial RelationsOfficers from Four (4) to Five (5). We haveengaged one additional team member as partof the efforts aimed at strengthening the IR unit.

Professional Certificate in IndustrialRelations (PCIR)The PCIR course is administered by theManagement Institute for NationalDevelopment (MIND) in collaboration with theJCSA. To date Eight (8) employees have gainedIndustrial Relations certification which hasenhanced their IR skills and equipped them tobetter treat with IR matters. This year Two (8)members of staff, Sisters Sydoney Brackett andJoy Tucker Harriott also completed the course.

Summer EngagementAs a contribution to the development of youngpersons, the Association has partnered with theAirport Authority of Jamaica to engagesecondary school graduates during thesummer. The aim is to provide greatly neededon the job training in preparation for theworking world. Four (4) school leavers wereengaged to gain experience.

Staff MeetingsEight meetings were held with staff during themonths of July to April. This allowed employeesto express their concerns and offer suggestions inareas that need improvement. These meetingswere chaired by the General Secretary whoguided her team by focusing on those priorityareas agreed on in the Strategic Planning sessions.

Staff Training Team Building Session A Team Building session was conducted with allmembers of staff by First Vice President RobertSt. Francis Chung on March 23, 2017. Therewere presentations on team building skills suchas communication, planning, problem solvingand conflict resolution. It is hoped that suchsessions will continue as they serve to boostteam spirit and performance as staff endeavourto give quality service to our members.

Customer Service Excellence A one-day workshop was conducted with allmembers of staff in Customer ServiceExcellence in July, 2017. The facilitator was Mrs.Ilsa duVerney, founder of the Jamaica CustomerService Association/CARI-CODE. It was onceagain emphasized how staff should take care ofthe needs of members by providing anddelivering quality service. Emphasis was oncustomer satisfaction and how to deal withchallenging situations and complaints.Exercises were conducted in effectivecommunication and role playing was used tofocus on how to handle angry/difficultcustomers.

Writing a BriefA workshop on “How to Write a Brief” wasconducted by Sis. Chelsie Shellie-Vernon withIndustrial Relations Officers and other staffmembers, on Friday April 27, 2018. The eye-opening session brought common errors inwriting briefs to light. In Part Two participantswill visit the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT)office to see how Briefs are used.

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Membership Report of the Jamaica Civil Service Association - May 2017 – March 2018

Months Number of ApplicationsReceived

Calculated Dues

Number of New Members

Incoming Revenue

May-17 105 $ 35,304.41 273 $ 42,647.03Jun-17 163 $ 56,293.99 35 $ 13,730.13Jul-17 174 $ 49,514.27 100 $ 37,196.19Aug-17 171 $ 39,879.52 95 $ 30,698.71Sep-17 104 $ 28,043.29 126 $ 33,067.23Oct-17 159 $ 48,477.61 31 $ 7,883.61Nov-17 140 $ 45,011.98 177 $ 61,694.84Dec-17 120 $ 39,468.45 149 $ 40,243.01Jan-18 156 $ 51,534.16 168 $ 53,045.16Feb-18 178 $ 55,195.58 147 $ 48,110.34Mar-18 189 $ 54,177.70 183 $ 64,342.60Apr-18 0 $ - 0 $ -Total 1,659 $ 502,900.96 1,484 $ 432,658.85

New Applications Received and New Members

New Applications Received and New Members

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MEMBERSHIP

Member’s BenefitJamaica Civil Service Mutual Thrift SocietyLimitedThe Jamaica Civil Service Association and theJamaica Mutual Thrift Society Limited had aseries of meetings aimed at enhancing ourservice to members. Both entities have beenworking even more closely in recruitment andmember engagement. To this end wecontinue to partner with the Mutual ThriftSociety to ensure that our members can benefitfrom their wide range of products and services. Member Services

Our Member Services team has beenassiduously tracking applications formembership and subscription on a monthlybasis. This has resulted in a shorter processingtime as regular contacts are made with theDepartments that are lagging.

Membership Identification CardMembers of the JCSA are provided withmembership ID cards which allow them toaccess consumer discounts at various stores.

IDs are done at the Secretariat on Fridaysbetween the hours 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Benefit Catalogue for Members of JCSAThe JCSA continues to strive for improvedbenefits for members through negotiation withemployers and private sector.

We recognized the need to provide informationand boost awareness in relation to benefitsavailable to members and we have capturedthem in a handy benefits catalogue.

Discount ProvidersThe Member Services and Affiliation Committeehas done some leg work and will be doing acomprehensive review of all discount providers.Members who present their JCSA IdentificationCards at any of the listed discount providersreceive discounts ranging from 5% - 15%.

The JCSA through its collective bargainingprocess, continues to seek improvements insalaries and fringe benefits. These benefitsinclude healthcare, housing, travelling,computer loans, miscellaneous loans, just toname a few.

We continue to represent your best interest andrights as workers.

Knutsford ExpressThe Association has successfully negotiateddiscounted fares for members of the JCSA whoutilize the bus services, on all routes. Discountsmay be accessed on presentation of themembers´ JCSA Identification Cards.

MediGapSagicor Medigap is a supplemental benefit thatwas designed to provide additional in hospitalcoverage for employees and their familymembers.

The product was negotiated between theJamaica Civil Service Association and SagicorJamaica, for members and dependents of theGovernment Employees’ AdministrativeServices Only Health Plan and the GovernmentPensioners’ Administrative Services OnlyScheme.

Consumer Group (MINI MART) The Consumer Group (Mini Mart) providesmembers with the opportunity to purchasegroceries at discounted prices. The Mini Martphysically operates from JACISERA Park, andalso conducts Sale Days at the variousMinistries, Departments and Agencies island-wide. After several discussions with LASCODistributors Ltd., the Company is now officiallyon board, facilitating the Mini Mart venture.T. Geddes Grant and ADA ManufacturingDistributors are also involved.

A promotional Sales Day was held on July 22,2017 at 10 Caledonia Avenue, where represen-tatives from LASCO Distributors gave samplesof products. LASCO Financial Services also

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participated. Members displayed keen interestin the products. Other successful Sales Dayevents were held at the Ministry of Labour andSocial Security, 1F North Street and theKingston Public Hospital (KPH).

The Committee has requested a more centrallocation for housing the Mini Mart to improveits accessibility to members and thanks theSecretariat staff, Volunteers and DepartmentalRepresentatives for their continued support.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Orientation for DepartmentalRepresentativesAn orientation exercise was conducted at theSecretariat on August 3 for newly elected Councilmembers who were unable to attend the GeneralCouncil Retreat in June 2017. The opportunitywas taken to address concerns that the newmembers who were not as involved as the unionwould have wanted them to be. Participants wereinvited to discuss challenges or concerns beingfaced, so that the Secretariat would be able toimplement measures to address them. There wereseveral issues and most of them were resolved. Atthe end of the workshop, participants indicatedthat they were more informed and expressed theirappreciation. Areas covered were Volunteerism,Role and Responsibility of a DepartmentalRepresentative and some aspects of GrievanceHandling. The session was conducted by First VPRobert St. Francis. Chung, General Secretary,Tifonie Powell-Williams and Training and ResearchCoordinator Patrice Porter.

Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting thesafety and welfare of people engaged in workor employment. The workplace can be ahazardous environment and thereforeOccupational Safety and Health must be of

paramount importance to all organizations.Some of the critical issues being faced byemployees include the presence of asbestos,molds and poor air quality in buildings.

As a proactive union, the Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation conducted a series of island-wideTraining Sessions in Occupational Safety andHealth to prepare members for theOccupational Safety and Health Act, 2017.Regional sessions were held on February 16,2017 at the Jamaica Confederation of TradeUnions (JCTU) Headquarters in Kingston; for theSouth Central Region at the RADA OfficeComplex, Mandeville on April 6; and for theWestern Region, on June 23 at the RADA OfficeComplex, Montego Bay. The final workshop inour island-wide training took place on August10 at the Carl Rattray Correctional Centre,Runaway Bay, St. Ann.

The OSH agenda consisted of an overview ofOccupational Safety and Health, Hazard and Riskin the workplace and a presentation on theproposed Legislation. First Vice President RobertSt. Francis Chung was the facilitator. Sessions werewell attended and participants found themengaging, interactive and educative. Requestswere made for other sessions.

PCIR Training for MembersThe PCIR course is administered by theManagement Institute for NationalDevelopment (MIND) in collaboration with theJCSA. At a meeting with MIND on June 27, 2017the Association requested that steps be takento have the programme accredited, however, itwas explained that MIND was in the process ofseeking Institutional accreditation which wouldbe a better option since the entire slate ofprogrammes, including PCIR, would beaccredited. The course is currently beingreviewed in order to include OccupationalSafety and Health and a practicum. Since theinception of the programme there have beenTen (10) cohorts, Eight (8) completed and Two

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(2) incomplete, and Two Hundred and Five(205) persons have been trained. The cost of thecourse has been increased from SeventyThousand Dollars ($70,000 ) to Eighty ThousandDollars ($80,000).

Wayne St. A. Jones Bursary AwardIn support of the continued training anddevelopment of members, the followingapplicants who pursued the PCIR course at theManagement Institute for NationalDevelopment (MIND) in Kingston and at theWestern Campus, received Wayne St. A. JonesBursary awards:• Fiona Banton• Horace Campbell• Shevellen Cooper• Dellaceta Drummond• Devene Gordon-Phoenix• Suzette Grant• Suzette Grigg-Cummings• Karlene Johnson• Audrey May Jones• Adrian Kerr• Jackeenie Minott• Kenesha Robinson • Princess WedderburnThe successful participants were presented withtheir certificates by MIND at the GraduationCeremony in December 2017.

Climate Change and its impact on RuralWomenA lively training session on “Climate Changeand its effect on Women in the Rural Areas”took place on May 3, 2018 at JACISERA Park.National and global solutions relating toadaptation programmes; Gender equality;Climate change and Jamaica’s Public servants;were among issues considered. Sis. JudithWedderburn facilitated the session.

Protocol Training in protocol was conducted with Ushersby Sis. Julie Forbes. Protocol Officer, Office ofthe Prime Minister on May 4, 2018.

Pension Sensitization SessionJCSA was among unions attending a workshopon “Pension, Social Protection and Retirementin Jamaica” held at the Hugh Lawson ShearerTrade Union Education Institute (HLSTUEI) onApril 3, 2017.

President, Bro. O’Neil Grant was the presenter ata workshop on “The Review of the PublicService Staff Order” at the HLSTUEI onNovember 21, 2017.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Glen Bromfield/Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation Trust Fund Scholarship The Committee of Management receivedseventeen (17) applications for the GlenBromfield/Jamaica Civil Service AssociationTrust Fund Scholarship for the 2017/2018academic year. Eight (8) applicants were shortlisted and invited, along with their parents, toattend the selection interviews conducted bythe Committee at the Medallion Hall Hotel onAugust 30, 2017. Following on the Committee’sdecision to reduce the value of the scholarshipso that more persons could benefit, all shortlisted students received scholarships. Inaddition, one scholarship was continued fromthe last academic year and one was reinstatedafter the student sat out the 2016/2017academic year because of failure to achieve therequired grade average standard, bringing the

Glen Bromfield/Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation Trust Fund 2017/2018

Applications Received 17

Applications Approved: 10

Total Amount: $570,000.00

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number of awards to Ten (10). One is valued atOne Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00),one at Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00)and Eight (8) at Fifty Thousand Dollars($50,000.00) each.

Trade Union Education and Training(TUEI) Committee Samuel E. StewartScholarship Mrs. Desmarie Braham-Martin from the NationalWorks Agency was awarded the 2017 Samuel E.Stewart Scholarship on Friday October 13, 2017.Out of Five (5) applicants, Two (2) wereshortlisted and submitted to the Stewart familyfor the final selection.

JCSA Education Grant The closing date for applications for the JCSAEducation Grant was on July 7, 2017 and thecommittee decided that the processing shouldcommence immediately in order to meet theexpected deadline for payment to prospectivestudents. Consequently, the committee met onJuly 10 and also on August 3, 10 and 17 of 2017.At that last meeting applications were finalizedand funding allocated.

A total of Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven(277) applications were received for processing,eight (8) of which came after the closing date.The JCSA also received Three Million, NineHundred Thousand Dollars ($3,900,000.000)from the Ministry of Finance & the Public

Institution No. ofApplicants

No. ofSuccessfulApplicants

Amount Allocated

International University of theCaribbean (IUC) 5 1 $25,000.00

Management Institute ForNational Development (MIND) 11 5 $125,000.00

Community Colleges 41 28 $705,000 (25,000) each & DepartmentalRepresentatives ($30, 000)

University of the CommonwealthCaribbean (UCC) 56 32 $805,000.00 ($ 25,000 each & 1

Departmental Representatives $30,000)

Northern Caribbean University(NCU) 11 9 $225,000.00

University of the West Indies(UWI) 27 15 $375,000.00

University of the West Indies (UWIOpen Campus) 7 2 $25,000.00

University of Technology (UTECH) 36 22 $550,000.00

Miscellaneous 53 17 $425,000.00

Master’s Programme 20 } These applicants were not considered dueto the unavailability of funds.

Late Submissions 8

Refused Submissions 2 Did not meet the criteria

Additional Grants 2 2$50,000.00 (Applications were missingsupporting documents but wereapproved after they were received)

Total 263 141 $3,560,000.00

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Service for the Education Grant which wasallocated as shown in table overleaf.

NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

CIVIL SERVICE WEEK 2017

Official Launch“Diligently & Holistically Advancing QualityPublic Services for a Better Jamaica” was thetheme of Civil Service Week (CSW) 2017 whichwas celebrated from November 19 to 24 with aseries of activities.

The Official Launch took place on FridayNovember 17, 2017 at the Terra Nova Hotel.Special guests were the Hon. Steadman Fuller,Custos of Kingston, representing the GovernorGeneral; Ambassador Douglas Saunders,Cabinet Secretary; and Miss Darlene Morrison,Financial Secretary (Acting). All broughtgreetings, as did President O’Neil Grant. TheHon. Fayval Williams, then Minister of State inthe Ministry of Finance & the Public Service, wasalso present.

Keynote speaker Dr. Damian Graham, GeneralManager of the Urban DevelopmentCorporation challenged public servants to “takeseriously our own role in building the Jamaicawe want to see and that we want to leavebehind.”

A highlight of the proceedings was theannouncement of Kerry-Ann Alicia Spaulding asthe Civil Servant of the Year by Master ofCeremonies, Mrs. Donna Marie Rowe, CEO ofJamaica Information Service. Ms Spaulding,who has spent over 22 years of her working lifeat the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ForeignTrade was pleasantly surprised. Othernominees for the Civil Servant of the Year 2017award were:• Miss Carole Jones, Ministry of Tourism • Mr. Dale Miller, Ministry of Local

government and Community Develop-ment, and

• Mr. Michael Millwood, Ministry of Tourism • Ms Lilieth Pasley, Ministry of Local

Government and Community Develop-ment

• Kelvin Thomas, Jamaica Constabulary Force,Human Resource Branch

All nominees were presented with Gifts andCertificates.

Following on the Official Launch thecelebrations began in earnest on SundayNovember 19, 2017 with island-wide churchservices. The National Church Service washosted by the Christian Fellowship WorldOutreach Church in Kingston.

A special feature of the week was an Expositionin Emancipation Park showcasing servicesoffered by public sector agencies and privatesector enterprises. There were Twenty-Eight (28)booths in all. Entertainment was provided bypublic-sector workers, who staged a concert.

Other activities for the Week included a QuizCompetition and an Afterwork Lyme whichfeatured domino and spin-off competitions onNovember 24. The winners of the variousactivities throughout the week were as follows:

JCSA Secondary School Quiz Competition

The 18th staging of the JCSA Secondary SchoolQuiz Competition took place at the MedallionHall Hotel on November 23, 2017. Participatingschools were: • Anchovy High School• Camperdown High School• Campion College• Charlemont High School• Clarendon College• Excelsior High• Holy Childhood High• Hydel High School• Jonathan Grant High School• McGrath High School• Merl Grove High SchoolEach school had a team of Four (4) studentswho were accompanied by schoolmates for

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moral support. Also present were coaches andinvited guests. There were One Hundred andFifty-five (155) persons in attendance.

Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Patrick Ferguson,a member of the Trade Union Education andTraining Committee and Quiz Master was Mr.Vando Palmer, Director of Public Relations andCommunication in the Ministry of Transport andMining. The judges were Mr. Dave Noel Williams(Chief Judge), Mrs. Sharon Anderson, Mrs.Rachel Solomon and Mr. Gary Mowatt.

At the end of the highly competitive event,Merl Grove High School was declared thewinner, Campion College placed second andHoly Childhood High School placed third.Anchovy High School which came fourth wasdeclared the top rural school.

The Guest Speaker was Mr. Richard Goulbourne,President of Mona Law Society.

President O’Neil Grant and Mrs. Terry-AnnJamieson Warren, Representative of PetroCaribebrought greetings. Bro. Christopher Scott whogave the vote of thanks acknowledgedPetroCaribe as main sponsors and othercontributors including the Jamaica Civil ServiceMutual Thrift Society, Management Institute forNational Development (MIND) and the Ministryof Finance and the Public Service.

Ms Chevrine Thompson provided entertainment.

Charity OutreachThe Tarrant Baptist Basic School was thebeneficiary of the CSW Planning Committee’scharity outreach in 2017.

Sustainable Development GoalsThe national Inter-Ministerial Working Group(IMWG) on the Post-2015 DevelopmentAgenda, co-chaired by the Planning Institute ofJamaica and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and

Foreign Trade, has a specific mandate toformulate a National Outcome Document, andensure incorporation of the country’s priorityareas in the post-2015 development agenda.

As part of the consultation process on the goalsand targets, the IMWG which comprisesrepresentatives from all Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies, was expanded to includerepresentatives from civil society, academia,private sector and international developmentpartners. The IMWG is an appropriatemechanism to galvanize support and buy-inacross all stakeholders for the SDGs.

At the recently concluded Caribbean Action2030 sessions held on June 28-30, 2017, at theUniversity of the West Indies RegionalHeadquarters at Mona, the JCSA was able tospeak on its role in the implementation of theSDGs, particularly Goal No. 8, Decent Work andEconomic Growth. Delegates from the variousgroupings sought to advance regional action inthe areas of resource mobilization, civil societyparticipation, strong evidence base for policyand capacity building.

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ),National Focal Point for the 2030 AgendaSustainable Development Goals (SDG),engaged the Jamaica Civil Service Associationas part of the sensitization on the SDGs andtheir alignment with Vision 2030 Jamaica –National Development Plan.

This meeting formed part of a series of activitiesaimed at equipping key stakeholders toeffectively undertake the task of integratingand implementing the SDGs within the Vision2030 Jamaica Plan Implementation Framework. The objectives of the meeting were to apprisestakeholders of the inter-sectoral coordinationmechanism of the SDGs for Jamaica, to providean update on the SDGs ImplementationRoadmap, to review alignment of the SDGswith Vision 2030 Jamaica and the Medium TermSocio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF), as

well as alignment with the strategic business,corporate and operational plans of MDAs.

Arising from the discussions, the JCSA hasundertaken to partner with the PlanningInstitute of Jamaica (PIOJ) to build awareness ofthe SDGs amongst the membership.

PIOJs Dialogue For DevelopmentLecture Series 2017The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) hostedthe 2017 Dialogue for Development LectureSeries on December 5, 2017, at the UWIRegional Headquarters. The event featuredinformative presentations, lively discussionsand interactive displays highlighting Jamaica’sprogress in achieving the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) which are aimed atending poverty, protecting the planet andensuring prosperity for all. Bro. Clarence Frater,Executive Member, represented the JCSA at theLecture Series.

Service Excellence Technical WorkingGroup (TWG)The Public Sector Transformation andModernization Division (PSTMD), under theauspices of the Office of the Cabinet is leadingthe process of laying the foundation for thecultural change required for tangible andlasting improvements in the quality of servicedelivered. One element of this programme isthe development of a Public Sector ServiceExcellence Policy which is essential to institu-tionalizing service excellence in MinistriesDepartments and Agencies (MDAs)

The proposed policy will encompassrequirements to promote and institutionalizeservice excellence, including : • core principles;• values;• standards;• strategies;

• accountability mechanism; • continuous improvement frameworks; • capacity building requirements; and • service delivery options.

This approach is necessary as it will facilitateconsistency in service quality throughout thepublic sector and the delivery of world classpublic services.

A workshop was held on December 8, 2017 atthe Terra Nova Hotel to orient and update theTWGs on the Service Excellence Programme.The General Secretary attended as the JCSARepresentative on the Service ExcellenceTechnical Working Group. TWG members weresensitized about their roles and responsibilitiesand the Terms of Reference and modus operandiwere confirmed. The team met over the periodJanuary to March 2018 to review the existingpolicies and service excellence charters as wellas make recommendations.

Twenty acres of land per parishagreement Efforts continue to expedite and finalize theprocess to identify, take possession and developthe allotment of lands under the 20 acre perparish agreement.

The Association through the JCS HousingCompany Limited has taken steps to havehousing solutions developed on lands inHague, Trelawny and Irwin in St. James. As wasdone with Union Estate (Twickenham Lands)JCSA will be pursuing the development of otherlands on a joint venture basis as the Associationdoes not possess the resources to managethese types of projects on its own.

National Identification SystemA presentation was done by Mrs. JacquelineLynch Stewart, Chief Technical Director in theOffice of the Prime Minister at the General

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Council Meeting held in November, to educatethe members about the National IdentificationSystem. Since then, accompanied by her team,she has visited Ministries and Departments toinform employees of the new system.

Special Early Retirement ProgrammeThe Government of Jamaica introduced aSpecial Early Retirement Programme (SERP) toGovernment of Jamaica (GOJ) employees whoare between the ages of 50 and 59 years. Thisprogramme did not include health profes-sionals, security groups, correctional officersand teachers.

To apply to the SERP, the following criteria mustbe met.• Be permanently employed to the

Government of Jamaica;• Have ten years’ qualifying service with the

Government of Jamaica; and• Be eligible to retire early as per the rules of

the Pensions Act

Note these features of the SERP Package:• SERP retirement packages will be offered to

eligible persons, ages 50 to 59 years.• Pensions will be calculated according to the

formula specified in “The Pensions Act”. • Approved applicants will be able to choose

to receive either a Full Pension or a ReducedPension with Gratuity.

• Approved applicants will be able to chooseto receive an advance on Gratuity.

• Approved applicants will receive two (2)weeks’ salary for each year of service up toa maximum of one (1) year’s salary.

• Approved applicants will be paid in lieu ofany vacation leave due.

The original deadline of February 16, 2018 forapplications was extended as the intake wasnot as expected.

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

2018 Parish Chapter Annual GeneralMeetings (AGMs)All Chapters of the Association have had theirChapter AGMs. Below are the Chapter Chairmenfor the period January 2018 – January 2020.

Western RegionJACISERA Kids for Change Summer CampThe St. James Chapter spearheaded thisinitiative which has grown since inception. Thishas now become a major activity for theWestern Region and is targeted to members’children between the ages of Five (5) andFifteen (15 )years.

South Central Region

Name Chapter

Sis. Shauna Robinson Clarendon

Sis. Sardia Morris St. Catherine

Sis. Paulette Ferguson Manchester

Sis. Stephanie Lewis-Brown Santa Cruz

Sis. Fayann Mitchell Black River

North East Region

Name Chapter

Sis. Karen Coleman-Clarke St. Mary

Sis. Tamara Lawrence Portland

Sis. Sandra Brown St. Thomas

Sis. Carol Clarke Brown’s Town

Bro. Erlett Findlay St. Ann’s Bay

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Western RegionName ChapterSis. Charmaine GilletteMcLellan

St. James

Sis. Lillieth James TrelawnySis. Kristie-Kay Wynter HanoverSis. Delleceta Drummond Westmoreland

The camp, held in August at the YWCA in St.James, saw over Twenty (20) children attending.They participated in various activities includingart and craft, music, speech and drama,etiquette and grooming.

South Central Region Chapter Annual General MeetingsAll Five (5) Chapters had their Annual GeneralMeetings. Manchester and Clarendon met onThursday January 11, 2018; St. Catherine,Monday, January 22 and Santa Cruz and BlackRiver, Tuesday January 23.

Chapter’s attendance at the AGMs

Chapter Meetings

President Grant and his team attended allmeetings. He updated the membership on the2017-2019 Negotiations, the Special EarlyRetirement Programme and the ZonalChairman Bro Robert Chung spoke aboutJCSA’s 100th Anniversary and the activitiesleading up to it.

Civil Service Week Civil Service Week church services took place inClarendon and also in Manchester, where BlackRiver and Santa Cruz Chapters, as well as represen-tatives from Kingston, joined the congregation atthe Mandeville Church of Christ.

Membership Database JCSA recruits for the period

Total Office Visits for the Period

During the period Twelve (12) presentationswere done, Three (3) Desk for a Day set up, andTwo Hundred and Fifty Two (252) applicationssubmitted.

AttendanceChapters Number of Members

in Attendance

Clarendon 40St Catherine 80Manchester 58Black River 38Santa Cruz 13Total 129

Chapter’s Quarterly Meetings

Chapters Number of QuarterlyMeetings

Clarendon 1

St Catherine 1

Manchester 2

Black River 0

Santa Cruz 0

Total 4

MembershipChapters Previous New Total

Clarendon 722 12 734

St Catherine 323 20 343

Manchester 676 8 684

Black River 75 5 80

Santa Cruz 91 3 94

Total 1,887 48 1,935

Chapters Number of Visits

Clarendon 62St Catherine 80Manchester 50Black River 12Santa Cruz 12Kingston 9Total 225

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North East Region This report covers activities for the NorthEastern Region since the appointment of theAdministrator Ms. Marilyn Hines on October 1,2017 up to March 2018. The Administrator withthe support of the Zonal Chairman, 3rd V.P.Sharon Anderson and Chapter Chairs has beenworking to ensure the objectives of the JCSAare fully realized in the region and the officesand departments visited have expressedgratitude for the reopening of the office in theNorth Eastern Region.

The table below shows details of activities in theregion. Total of Eighty-One (81) office visitsdone for the period along with follow-up visits.

Contact InformationE-mail added for the period:" St. Ann 193 " St. Mary 56" Portland 56" St. Thomas 10" Brown’s Town 42Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven (357) e-mailaddresses were added for reporting period.

Office Walk-Through# Office visit and walk-through with St.

Thomas Chapter Chair Sis Brown and Bro.Thorpe, October 4, 2017 and Eleven (11)applications collected.

OFFICE VISITS - ST. ANN October 2017 to March 2018

Moneague Tax Office Steer Town HealthMoneague Post Office Steer Town AcademyMoneague Health Centre Island Traffic AuthorityMoneague Primary and Junior High School Discovery Bay PoliceMoneague College Discovery Bay PoliceMoneague Police Station Discovery Bay All AgeMoneague Branch Library Discovery Bay Post OfficeElectoral Office of Jamaica Runaway Bay Post OfficeMarcus Garvey High School Runaway Bay Police StationSt. Ann’s Bay Hospital St. Ann Municipal CorporationNorth East Regional Health Authority National Youth ServiceRegistrar General Department Bureau of StandardsJamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning Ocho Rios High SchoolSt. Ann’s Bay Post Office Ocho Rios Primary SchoolSt. Ann’s Bay Parish Library Ocho Rios Police StationMinistry of Agriculture Ocho Rios Health DepartmentBrowns Town Post Office Ocho Rios Post OfficeBrowns Town Court Office St. Ann –Tax Administration of JamaicaBrowns Town - Tax Administration of Jamaica Tourist Development Product Co.Brown’s Town High School Golden Grove All AgeBrown’s Town Social Development Commission Walkers Wood All AgeBrown’s Town Community College St. Ann Police Head QuartersSt. Ann – STATIN Ministry of Labour & Social SecurityProbation Office St. Ann Health ServicesJamaica Cultural Development Commission

49 offices visited for the period

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ST. MARY VISITS October 2017 to March 2018

Area 2 Police Station-Tower Isle Electoral Office of Jamaica-OracabessaTacky High School Oracabessa Branch LibraryOracabessa Post Office Iona High SchoolBoscobel Post Office Oracabessa High SchoolRetreat Post Office Port Maria Post OfficeRetreat Primary and Junior High School Tax Administration of Jamaica-St. MaryRetreat Branch Library Brimmer Vale High SchoolRetreat Police Station Gayle Health CentreThree Hills Primary School Gayle Primary SchoolTower Isle Post Office Gayle Post OfficeArea 2 Police Station-Tower Isle Oracabessa Primary SchoolPort Maria Hospital

23 offices visited for the period.

PORTLAND VISITS October 2017 to March 2018

National Works Agency Tax Administration of Jamaica - Annotto BayPortland Hospital Buff Bay Health CentrePortland Health Department Child Development AgencyAnnotto Bay Branch Library

7 offices visited for the period.

ST. THOMAS VISITS October 2017 to March 2018

Yallas Health Centre Court Office - Morant Bay

2 offices visited for the period.

Submissions:• Two Hundred and Fifty-One (251) applications. • Eight (8) Thrift applications.• Six (6) applications were submitted by St. Mary Chapter

Chair and Two (2) by Brown’s Town Chapter.

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# Office walk- through with St. Mary ChapterChair Mrs. Karen Coleman-Clarke and twoexecutive members on November 21, 2017and one application collected.

# Office walk- through with former ChapterChair for Brown’s Town, Sis. Ann-MarieHenry on October 17, 2017 in Brown‘s Townat SDC, Tax Office, Post Office, Court Officeand Brown’s Town High School.

Parish Updates:St. Ann’s Bay ChapterParish Meeting: None held for

reporting periodCivil Service WeekChurch Service: November 19, 2017Executive Meeting: March 2018AGM : February 2018

Brown’s Town ChapterParish Meeting: October 31, 2017

CSW Church Service: November 19, 2017Executive Meeting: Two to date, last one

March 2018AGM: February 2018St. Mary ChapterParish Meeting: None held for

reporting periodCSW Church Service: November 19, 2017Executive Meeting: Two executive

meetings held, last one March 2018

Women’s Day Seminar: March 8, 2018Women’s Action Committee (WAC): March 8, 2018AGM : February 2018

Portland ChapterParish Meeting: None CSW Church Service: November 19, 2017Executive Meeting: None AGM : February 2018

JCSA PRESENTATIONSDate Parish Office Visit Applications

Collected

October 12, 2017 St. Ann St. Ann Hospital-Medical Records 9

October 13, 2017 St. Ann Marcus Garvey High School 13

October 27, 2017 St. Ann Electoral Office of Jamaica 6

November 7, 2017 St. Ann Ocho Rios Post Office 7

November 7, 2017 St. Ann Ocho Rios Health Department 3

November 29, 2017 Portland Buff Bay Health Department 18

December 15, 2017 St. Mary Retreat Primary School

January 3, 2018 St. Ann St. Ann Health Department-Psychiatry Department(Nurses)

6

January 13, 2018 Portland Port Antonio Health Department (Nurses) 13

February 2, 2018 St. Ann St. Ann Hospital-Mental Health Nurses (Regional Meeting)

15

March 13, 2018 St. Ann Moneague Primary and Junior High School 4

Eleven (11) presentations were done for the reporting period. Total=94

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St. Thomas ChapterParish Meeting: None CSW Church Service: November 19, 2017Executive Meeting: None AGM : January 2018

Remarks:! Greater effort will be made to do more

office visits in Portland and St. Thomas inthe coming months.

! New discount providers will be identifiedfor the region and contacted, and a formwill be sent to the confirmed participants.

! At least once per month, a Desk for a Daywill be requested at larger offices or ininstances where no presentation can bearranged, to allow members to makequeries and serve as an opportunity torecruit new members.

! The office is requesting name, email address,telephone number and name of departmentfor all new JCSA applications submitteddirectly to secretariat by Chapter chairs.

Recommendation:! Pictures should be taken at all Chapter

events and activities. These could bearchived and used as a power point presen-tation at our annual AGM.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

Government Employees TransportationSystemThe Monitoring Committee has reiterated theneed for a permanent depot facility on the basisthat it is a standard requirement to operateGovernment Employees Transportation System(GETS)

New Bus Access SystemSensitization seminars were conducted with allstake holders to introduce the “New Bus AccessSystem” which will replace the current colourcoded stickers issued to passengers. The

implementation is far advanced. Photographshave been taken for passenger IdentificationCards and a pilot is scheduled to start in May2018 to test the system and remove glitchesbefore the full roll out.

New BusesThe Committee was informed that Governmenthas made budgetary provisions to purchasenew buses for the ageing fleet. This will allowmore passengers to access the transportationbenefit and a possible expansion of the existingroutes.

JACISERA Park MonitoringThe committee continues to plan activities thatwill see increased utilization of the park by ourmembers. A utilization plan is being developedto guide the operations of the Park.

A Work Fest was held on December 9, 2017 toprepare the Park for the Christmas festivitiesand stocktaking in the bar.

Sports CommitteeThe JCSA Sports Competitions for the 2017season officially started on March 24. 2017 withthe Opening Ceremony at Jacisera Park. After avery successful 2016 season, several Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had beeneagerly awaiting the start of the newcompetitions.

A total of nineteen (19) MDAs across theGovernment Service, participated in one or moreof the season’s competitions, as outlined below:

Football- Jamaica Customs Agency- Jamaica Defence Force- Ministry of Justice/Ministry of National

Security- Bellevue Hospital- Post and Telecommunication Department- Ministry of Education, Youth & Information

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- Court Management Services- Institute of Jamaica/National Library of

Jamaica- National Land Agency- Office of the Prime Minister- Department of Correctional Service- Ministry of Economic Growth and Job

Creation- Jamaica Library Service- Ministry of Local Government and

Community Development- Ministry of Finance and the Public Servive

Domino - National Land Agency- Ministry of Finance and the Public Service- Houses of Parliament- Post and Telecommunications Department- Registrar Generals Department- Institute of Jamaica/National Library of

Jamaica- Department of Correctional Service- Ministry of Education, Youth & Information- Bellevue Hospital- Jamaica Library Service- Auditor General’s Deptment

Netball- Jamaica Defence Force- Ministry of Education, Youth and Information- National Land Agency- Auditor General’s Department- Jamaica Customs Agency- Bellevue Hospital- Institute of Jamaica/National Library of

Jamaica- Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture

and Fisheries

Table Tennis- Auditor General’s Department- Institute of Jamaica/National Library of

Jamaica- National Land Agency- Bellevue Hospital- Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture

and Fisheries- Ministry of Finance and the Public Service

Cheerleading- Auditor General’s Department- Bellevue Hospital

WinnersIn Table Tennis the top three teams were:1st Place: Auditor General’s Department 2nd Place: Institute of Jamaica/National

Library of Jamaica3rd Place: National Land Agency

There was also a singles competition of whichthe winners were:Ist PlaceMen: Jason-Alex Grant (MOF)Women: Kemillia Barrett (Auditor General)

2nd PlaceMen: Ricardo Grant (MOF)Women: Crystal White (NLA)

3rd PlaceWomen: Constantine Collinder (MICAF)

Two (2) teams entered Cheerleading but after avigorous competition, only one, the AuditorGeneral’s Department, turned up on the dayand consequently won the award.

In Football, the Jamaica Defence Force and theMinistry of Education, Youth and Informationcontested the finals where Ministry ofEducation stripped the title from JamaicaCustoms Agency. Third place went to theJamaica Customs Agency.

Ministry of Finance and the Public Service wentup against Department of Correctional Servicesfor the Domino finals. The Finance team provedtoo hot to handle and came out the winner.Third place was won by the Registrar General’sDepartment.

The Netball finals was an exciting affair asMinistry of Education with some preciseshooting skills got the better of the JamaicaDefence Force and was awarded the victor’s

crown. Third place was won by the BellevueHospital.

The season’s Closing Ceremony took place atJACISERA Park on July 14, 2017. All teamsexpressed the desire to see the programmemoving from strength to strength and theCommittee is committed to making thishappen.

The unavailability of proper playing surfaces atJACISERA Park led to football and netball beingplayed at other venues. However, domino wasplayed at the Sports Complex in an attempt tobring back life to the Park. The teams lookedforward to playing matches on Fridays as theyenjoyed fellowship and refreshment TheCommittee envisions that with theimprovements being made all matches will beplayed at the Park during the 2018 season.

The Sports Committee would like to thank allwho made the season a success by their input,hard work and dedication. Undoubtedly, thecamaraderie was great, the networking was asuccess, the exposure on Television Jamaica(TVJ) was welcomed and the benefit to theJCSA was priceless. Next season promises to beeven greater.

Young Workers’ CommitteeThe Young Workers’ Committee is a standingSub-committee of the JCSA on the recommen-dation of the President and ratified by theGeneral Council at its Annual Retreat. TheCommittee is made up of workers aged 35 yearsand under and is responsible for theexamination of issues affecting young workersand encouraging them to become members ofthe union. JCSA Young Workers have alwaysmade an indelible mark not only locally butregionally.

Young workers’ Committee Boot CampThe Administrative Plan for the year wasdeveloped at the Young Workers Boot Camp at

JACISERA Park on August 5, 2017 and was latersubmitted to the Executive Committee. SistersNatalie James, Racquel Stephenson, RhondaPryce, Camille Buford, and Kayanna Edwards;and Brothers Herbert Gray and Denson Rileywere in attendance. The Monitoring Officeroffered words of inspiration and gave thecharge to members. Apologies for absencewere received from Sisters Regina and CamilleFraser.

International Youth Day 2017In celebration of International Youth Day onAugust 12, 2017 under the theme, “YouthBuilding Peace,” Bro. Herbert Gray and SisRhonda Pryce were featured on the ‘Talk UpYout’ radio programme.

Social Good SummitBro. Casey Neil attended the 2017 Social GoodSummit hosted by UNDP on Thursday,September 28, 2017 at the Alfred SangsterAuditorium, University of Technology, Jamaica.

The Caribbean Youth Day 2017In celebration of Caribbean Youth Day onSeptember 30, 2017, the Sunday Gleanerpublished “Employed and still living on theedge – Jamaica Civil Service Association wantsmore job security for young Jamaicans”, anarticle written by Sis. Natalie James, chair of theYoung Workers Committee. She told of theconcerns of many young Jamaicans livingprecariously and de-motivated by their inabilitysecure permanent employment.

Youth Month – JamaicaThe month of November was celebrated asYouth Month and the young workers had aseries of activities to mark the event during CivilService Week beginning with their exhibition atEmancipation Park on November 21, 2017.

PSI 30th World CongressThe Public Services International (PSI) 30thCongress took place from October 31, toNovember 3, 2017, at the Geneva International

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Conference Centre (CICG). Sis Regina Bell, co-chair of the Young Workers Committee was inattendance.

Civil Service Week ActivitiesThe Committee was very involved in CivilService Week activities including Churchservices on Sunday November 19 and theExposition at Emancipation Park on TuesdayNovember 21, 2017.

Sagicor Sigma Corporate RunFor the eighth year the Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation Young Workers Committee led theJCSA team at the Sagicor Sigma 5K Walk/Runwith fifty (50) participants inclusive of membersof the association, members of staff andcommittee members at Emancipation Park onSunday February 18, 2018. This is an annualcharity event organized to raise funds forproviding vital support for child and healthrelated initiatives in Jamaica. The target for2018 supported the Bethlehem Home forAbandoned children, the Spanish TownHospital Special Care Unit and the MandevilleHospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Future Leader 5th Annual WorkshopThe Committee hosted the 5th AnnualCaribbean Public Services Association FutureLeaders Workshop from February 28 to March 22018 at Medallion Hall Hotel. Of the over Forty(40) participants, Twenty-Six (26) were affiliatesfrom the Caribbean Unions. The objective wasto develop the skills of young public sectorworkers in order for them to become relevantactors in achieving the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGS) nationally andregionally. Topics addressed were:

• Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food securityand improved nutrition and promotesustainable agriculture

• Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promotewell-being for all at all ages

• Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitablequality education and promote lifelong

learning opportunities for all • Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and

empower all women and girls • Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable

management of water and sanitation for all• Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat

climate change and its impacts

Women’s Action Committee

International Women’s Day, March 8:On International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8,the JCSA celebrated the achievements ofwomen. The global theme, #Press for Progress,signaled that women remained committed andmotivated to strive for gender parity, despiteexisting challenges.

Support for ILO ConventionThe Women’s Action Committee (WAC) wasborn out of the need to recognize the strugglesof sisters at the workplace and honour theirachievements even as challenges such asGender-Based Violence are being addressed.As a union concerned with all matters affectingworkers, the JCSA supports the call for anInternational Labour Organization (ILO)Convention on ending violence andharassment against women and men in theworld of work and we have expressed this to theGovernment of Jamaica.

Reading ProgrammeThe JCSA through the Women’s Committee hasover the years sought to assist children from thecommunity of Tarrant, to read and hone theirskills in reasoning and mental ability. TheWomen’s Action Committee planned bi-monthly reading programme and have seenimprovements in the children who attend.

On June 24, 2017, Forty-five (45) children andFive (5) Committee members took part in asession at jacisera Park. The children weregrouped according to age and assignedaccording to the level of their reading skills. A

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decision was taken to introduce mathematicsas part of the Programme. At the end of theactivity, a light snack was served.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONALACTIVITIES

Management Institute for NationalDevelopment Regional Public SectorLeadership Development Conference2017 The Management Institute for NationalDevelopment (MIND) and the JCSA partneredfor the successful staging of the Regional PublicSector Leadership Development Conferenceheld July 19 -20, 2017 at the JamaicaPegasus Hotel. The Conference theme was“Adaptive Public Sector Leadership: ChangingMIND sets, Challenging Assumptions, CreatingTransformation”.

The JCSA was represented by President O’NeilGrant, Bro. Clarence Frater, Bro. Raymond Poyserand Sis. Khadrea Folkes. Simultaneousworkshops were conducted over the two days.The workshop topics covered on Day One were:" Building adaptive capacity - the Permanent

Secretary’s/CEO role" Why risk it ? – The benefits of being an

adaptive leader" Retain the best, challenge the rest: how to

shake up your organization in the quest fortalent

" Professional hurt" Challenging assumptions- environment

centered governance

There was also a panel discussion on “Thegeneral divide - how to get multi-generationsto work effectively with one another.”

On Day Two, which started with reflections,plenary sessions focused on “Building aninnovation agenda for the future – Institutions,

strategy and governance” and “Bend not break– my adaptive leadership journey.” The Hon.Audley Shaw, Minister of Finance & the PublicService was the keynote speaker for the PublicLife Award luncheon which followed.

Based on the delegates’ enthusiastic andcomplementary feedback throughout and afterthe Conference, the event undoubtedly realizedits intended objectives to:• provide an opportunity to examine public

sector leadership in action from the diverseperspectives;

• explore concepts and strategies to foster apublic sector leadership culture supportiveof long-term organizational growth;

• facilitate the development of new insightsand inspire personal growth andempowerment for the leaders; and

• provide an opportunity for networking andsharing among leaders at all levels across allsectors.

The presenters at the Conference were invitedto include their presentations in MIND’sinaugural publication of the Caribbean PublicSector Leadership Review (CPSLR). Thepublication will serve as a practitioner´sleadership magazine for public sectors acrossthe Region.

Caribbean Charter for the PublicServicesIn July 2015 the Caribbean Centre forDevelopment Administration (CARICAD) andthe Latin American Center for DevelopmentAdministration (CLAD), jointly staged asymposium on the “Public Services as aMechanism for Strengthening PublicAdministration: Building Bridges of Solidarityand Cooperation – CARICAD-CLAD Partnership”.These two regional organizations, were set upto support and promote the exchange of goodpractices for public sector reform and modern-ization of their member states.

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There was agreement on Five (5) strategicpriority areas:1. Symposium on Public Administration2. Development of a Charter for Caribbean

Public Services3. Stakeholder engagements to review the

Charter4. Improved exchange of technical inform-

ation/expertise between CARICAD andCLAD

5. Development of proposals for onlinetraining for public officials in CARICADmember states through cooperation withSpain.

It was agreed that CARICAD should spearheadefforts to develop a Charter for CaribbeanPublic Services. So far CARICAD has producedboth a draft Charter and an accompanying draftImplementation Guide and consultations withMember State have been taking place.

Caribbean Public Services AssociationConference 2017The 47th Annual Conference of the CaribbeanPublic Services Association (CPSA) was heldin Anguilla from July 23rd - 28th, 2017,under the theme: “An Effective Agent forPositive Trade Union Transformation andHuman Advancement.” The JCSA delegationwas comprised of Bro. O’Neil Grant,President/Chief Delegate; Sis. Tifonie Powell-Williams, General Secretary/Delegate; Sis.Onydeen Lawrence, WAC Representative/Delegate and Sis. Natalie James, Young Workers’Representative/ Delegate.

CPSA Young Workers Forum The Forum which was held July 25-26, 2017 sawyoung workers from various Caribbeancountries focusing on issues that affected themand those that had far reaching implications forthe region, such as job security and decentwork. Other areas of focus were on Sustainable

Development Goal 6: Ensure access to waterand sanitation for all, Goal 5, Achieve GenderEquality¨, Sexual Harassment; Ending violenceagainst women and children and Jobs for theFuture for Young Workers in Public Services¨.

The Plenary Joint Forum held a panel discussionon the topic: “An Effective Agent for PositiveTrade Union Transformation and HumanAdvancement”. This was followed by a presen-tation on Regional Public Service Charter(CARICAD). The Charter establishes a generalframework of guiding principles, policies andmanagement mechanisms reflecting acommon commitment of the Public Services ofthe Caribbean Region. It is intended to serve asa catalyst for the reform, modernization andtransformation of national public sector entitieswithin the context of each country’s realitiesand priorities.

The Business Session of the CPSA began withthe appointments of conference committeeswhich includes the Resolutions and StandingOrders committee, Education and trainingCommittee, and the Finance Credentialcommittees. Bro. O’Neil Grant was appointedchair of the Finance and Credential Committeeand Sis. Tifonie Powell-Williams was appointedto the Education and Training committee andSis Natalie James was appointed to theResolution and Standing Orders Committee.

Reports were presented by Chairmen of theCommittees. These reports were followed bythe presentation of the country reports by thehead of delegation for each of the affiliatesrepresented.

Members of each caucus presented theconference report commencing with the FutureLeaders Forum followed by Women’s Forum andMen’s Caucus respectively. The date and venueof the next annual conference and executivemeeting were selected and the CPSApresidency was handed over to the Antigua’spresident.

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Public Services InternationalAffiliates from around the world participated inthe 30th World Congress held at the GenevaConference Center, Switzerland, from October30 to November 3, 2017, at which PublicServices International (PSI) marked OneHundred and Ten (110) years of activism.

The aims of the Congress were described as: toreject the privatization of our lives, to unveil theun-truths of corporate ideology and the chaosof market failure, to construct alternativesbased on the power of organized labour, and tofight for our firm belief: People Over Profit!

The Congress adopted a Programme of Action(POA), that will guide the work of PSI and itsaffiliates over the next five years. From The POA(2018-2022), focus will be placed on thefollowing areas:• Building the Power to Create the World We

Want• Respect and Dignity for All• A Just and Global Economy• Trade Union and Labour Rights• Fighting Privatization• Making Sectors Stronger

President Grant led a four-member team to theCongress and they participated in the varioussessions with particular emphasis on Tax Justice,

Gender and Young Workers and BuildingClimate Resilient Economies.

Rosa Pavanelli was re-elected as GeneralSecretary for the period 2018-2022.

UN Commission on the Status of Women 2018The 62nd Session of the UNCSW was held fromMarch 12 to 23, 2018, under the theme:“Empowering Rural Women and Girls”.

Some of the key outcomes covered in theagreed conclusions include:• recognition of trade unions as contributors

and relevant stakeholders in achievinggender equality and the empowerment ofwomen and girls living in rural areas;

• inclusion of the decent work agenda ascritical to the empowerment of women inrural areas;

• financing for health services; • instituting equal pay for work of equal

value;• committing to gender responsive quality

public service, and • adopting progressive tax systems

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Give thanks and praises we are 99: Membersat the St. Luke's Anglican Church inKingston after attending the JCSA's Birthday Service on May 6, 2018.

Happy Birthday: President Grant and Hon. MinisterFayval Williams cutt the 99th Birthday cake as Mr. RayHowell, General Secretary, Jamaica Confederation ofTrade Unions, looks on

...More thanks and praises: St. James Chapter membersa after attendingservice at Cornwall Court Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Future Leaders Workshop: Bro. Shamir Brown,JALGO's 4th Vice President and Young Workers’Rep. for PSI Inter Americas, making a presentationto Sis. Regina Bell, Co Chair JCSA Young Worker'sCommittee at the February 2018 workshop.

Long Service Award Winners: Sisters Sandra Cameron (l)Departmental Representative, Post & TelecommunicationsDept and Melaini Mullings Arnold, Tax AdministrationJamaica celebrate with President O’Neil Grant after as theyreceiviving their award February 2018.

Samuel Stewart Scholarship: 2017winner, Mrs. Desmarie Braham Martin,National Works Agency receives acheque from Mr. Richard Stewart son ofthe late Samuel Stewart.

And the Trooophy goes to... President O’Neil W. Grant andMrs. Terry-Ann Jamieson Warren Investment Analyst,Petro-Caribe Development Fund present the WinningTrophy to Merl Grove High School.

Courtesy Call: His Excellency Ambassador CourtenayRattray, Jamaica Permanent Mission to the UN withGeneral Secretary Tifonie Powell-Williams (l) andHousehold Workers Association President Shirley Pryce,during Courtesy Call at his office in New York, March 2018.

International Women’s Day: Members of the St. Mary Chapterand the Women’s Action Committee joining forces on IWD.

Pictorial

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Flashback.... 98th AGM

Presentation to Sis Charmaine Gillette. Women’s Action Committee award is collectedby Sis. Onydeen Lawrence (r).

The Secretariat team conducting registration activities.

Sis Paulette Bruce-Williams, Bro Grant and Bro Chung welcomingguests.

Bro. Robert Chung talks with Hon.Rudyard Spencer.

Ambassador Douglas Saunders is greeted byPresident O’Neil Grant. Mr. Glen Broomfield and President Grant.

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THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017The Co-Master of Ceremonies, Sister GeraldineMiles invited the Chairman, Brother O’Neil Grantto call the meeting to order.

Call To Order The Chairman, Brother O’Neil Grant called themeeting to order at 3:50 p.m.

He acknowledged the presence of attendees atthe head table:Rev. Astor Carlyle, Ambassador Douglas SaundersCabinet Secretary, Mr. Danny Roberts of HLSTUEI,Minister Rudyard Spencer, Sister Tifonie PowellWilliams, General Secretary, Miss Ramgolan fromthe Companies Office of Jamaica, Mrs. Lona Brownand other officers from the AdministratorGeneral's Department, Ms. Catherine Lord fromthe Police Officers Association. The family of thelate Samuel Stewart, the representative from theJCSA Housing Company, Ms. Culease Nelson fromthe JCSA Limited. Mr. Balvin Vanriel, Chairman ofthe Board for the First Heritage Cooperative CreditUnion, Ms. Ida Comsau from the CorrectionalServices Department, Mr. James Francis from theUnited Union of Jamaica. Ms. Lorna Phillips fromthe Ministry of Finance and Public Service, Mr.Wynter from the Passport Immigration andCitizenship Agency, Mr. Herbert Fletcher of theWater Resources Authority, and the GeneralSecretary of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

He also recognised the Officers of the JCSA: 1st Vice President Robert Chung, 2nd VicePresident, Gillian Corrodus; 3rd Vice President,Sharon Anderson and our Honorary Treasurer,Paulette Bruce Williams and the members of theJCSA Executive Committee.

The Chairman recognised the presence of ourpartners Messrs Glen Bromfield and Fred Hudsonfrom Bloomfield Jamaica Limited and MedallionHall.

Notice Convening the 98th AnnualGeneral Meeting The Chairman invited the General Secretary toread the Notice Convening the Meeting.

InvocationThis was done by Rev. Astor Carlyle of the WebsterMemorial Church.

ApologiesThe Chairman announced those who had tenderedapologies for absence: Honourable Minister Andrew Wheatly, Mr. SylvianFarbie, High Commissioner of Canada, theHonourable Minister Edmund Bartlett, Mr. RichardByles of Sagicor, the Hononourable Dr. ChristopherTufton, Senator The Honourable Kamina JohnsonSmith, Miss Roaxnne Linton of First Heritage,Minister Daryl Vaz, Dr. Wayne Henry, State MinisterPernell Charles, Jnr, Mrs. Sonia Campbell from ourHousing Company, Minister Favel Williams from theMinistry of Finance and the Public Service, HisExcellency the Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen,Miss Hillary Alexander, Minister Horace Chang,Sister Latoya Brown from the Blood Bank; BrotherDenham Whilby, Sister Cheshire Burke from theRegistrar General's Department, Mr. David Pittal,the British High Commissioner and Annette Nelsonfrom the National Environment & Planning Agency.Senator Ruel Reid was unable to be present, but hesent a representative. General Rocky Meade alsosent apologies and was represented by Lt. RoderickWilliams.

Greetings:Ambassador the Hon. Douglas Saunders,OJ, CD, JP, Cabinet Secretary

[SALUTATIONS]On the 6th of May 1990 almost 20 years before thefull emergence of the Trade Union Movement in

Minutes of the 98thAnnual General Meeting

Opening Ceremony, held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at JACISERA Park, 31 Molynes Road, Kingston

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Jamaica, the JCSA was advocating for the rights ofpublic sector workers, and its impact in achievingbetter salaries and working conditions for thelargest segment of the workforce in the countryhas been indeed commendable over these 98years. And I welcome this opportunity to extendgreetings on this the occasion of the 98th AnnualGeneral Meeting of the Association.

The leadership of the JCSA must be givensubstantial credit for its singular contribution tothe high level of industrial harmony from whichthe public sector has benefited in recent years,and which harmony is critical to supporteconomic growth and development.

The most recent Memorandum of Economic andFinancial Policies indicate that the Governmentwill be focussing on public sector transformationand modernization over the next two to threeyears. As Co chair of the Public-SectorTransformation Oversight Committee, I use thisopportunity to restate the recognition that thewelfare of our workers will be a central concern.The JCSA and other unions and Staff Associationsmust be consulted on matters that directly affecttheir members.

The Government of Jamaica, as our employer,needs to be commended, having made thenecessary adjustment in the timeline for theachievement of the wage to GDP structuralbenchmark to preserve jobs and maintain stabilityin the public sector. The focus of the Governmentin achieving its growth to GDP target has been oneconomic growth, and such growth will be largelyinfluenced by the five in four target of theEconomic Growth Council.

When I was a young graduate of the University ofthe West Indies in the 1970s the public sector wasindeed the sought-after employer, and only thebrightest and best would gain employment withthe State. The vision of the Association is sharedby the Government, as is the Association's goal ofa transformed public sector with the highestquality of professional service to the nation byway of a highly trained workforce. The publicsector offers opportunities for personal and

professional development, and in addition toimproved wages we should seek to reinforce therelated non wage benefits and conditions. Myvision for the public sector is that it againbecomes the employer of choice in the near term.

In reflecting on the theme for this Annual GeneralMeeting in terms of advocating for the worker, itseems self evident to me that public sectormanagers and management have a vestedinterest, perhaps more so than the Associationand other trade unions in so advocating, with aview to enhancing efficiency and productivity intheir organization.

In closing I urge you all to continue to support andintensify your involvement in the public-sectortransformation processes and initiative towardsthe nation's economic growth and developmentobjective and towards the vision of a betterJamaica for generations to come. Please acceptmy best wishes for a successful Annual GeneralMeeting. Thank you.

Greetings:Mr. Danny Roberts, Head Hugh Lawson Shearer TradeUnion Education Institute

[SALUTATIONS]Let me congratulate you on your 98th AnnualGeneral Meeting. I can recall the days that I used toattend as a civil servant back in the 80s. That was along time ago and these meetings are quite calmand serene… Those were heavy days when we hada lot of contentious issues, and by no means [am Isaying] that there are no contentious issues now, butperhaps you are much more mature than we wereand handling it much more responsibly.

I just want to talk a little about the Public SectorTransformation, so I am wearing my hat as the Cochair of the Transformation Committee, because Ithink that the opportunities certainly has to beseized to get a sense of what the public sectortransformation means in this iteration, this newphase, and to ensure that we engage your partic-ipation … your commitment and your input in theprocess.

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One of the things that this Public SectorTransformation and Oversight Committee agreedon, was that public sector transformation wouldnot be seen or be represented as a means to eithercut jobs in the public service or to contain wages.We were very clear … that would not be our remit.For us, public sector transformation had to bemuch more than that. It had to have a link to anultimate objective of creating a better enablingenvironment so that economic growth can takeplace. It had to have a link to the provision ofbetter quality service for both the citizens and forpublic sector workers themselves. It had to havea link to a better remuneration package, betterquality of service, better commitment for publicsector workers. Now, that is our strategicobjective.

While attempting to achieve that we must do anumber of things. We have to rationalise some ofour public bodies because you would agree, and youare out there in the field, that in many instances thereare duplication of functions. We must make sure thatthose public bodies that are perhaps better servedbeing run by the private sector are privatized. But wealso recognize that there is likely to be some fall outas we seek to do the rationalisation of public bodies,but we have developed a wider view of how thisshould pan itself out.

In the first instance we believe that certainly whenyou move for the privatisation of public bodies,that what you in effect are doing is transferringjobs from the public sector to the private sector.So, on the face of it there ought to be no job lossresulting from that exercise.

Secondly, we are doing some corporate sharedservices in HR, and we are going to be looking atsome others like Public Relations and InternalAudit, et cetera. But we believe that from thatexercise as well, that in many instances what islikely to derive from that process is an out skillingof jobs because in many instances it is going torequire new and additional technological skills,which we are hoping that the public sectorworkers will acquire, so they will be able toperform in those functions.

Thirdly, we must link Public Sector Transformationto the ultimate objective of creating economicgrowth, and the result of economic growth as weall know would mean the provision for better jobs,increased number of jobs and quality jobs … If theapproach to Public Sector Transformation looks atbuilding our quality institutions like our publicservice, then that as the research has shown us,has an impact upon economic growth anddevelopment. Public quality institutions enhanceand facilitate economic growth and therefore we arehoping to get that exercise on the road, so that welook at that ultimate objective: creating more jobsthrough better public institutional quality, providingfor a more efficient public service to provide betterservice for the public and better remuneration andquality of work for our public servants.

While there are obviously some things we mustdo, I think you are quite aware of some structuralbenchmarks which have been identified underthe IMF Agreement. The Cabinet Secretary spokeabout the Memorandum of Economic andFinancial Policies which contains many activitiesthat the Government and the IMF agreed oughtto take place as part of Public SectorTransformation.

Beyond that exercise it is very important to makesure that we get corporate shared services, tomake sure that there is a sense of what is thegeneral number of public sector workers withinthe establishment, to align salaries andallowances and to make provisions for othercorporate services. Beyond that, we also must dealwith the change management element. We haveto get public sector workers to be able to buy intothe process, to recognize that there is somethingin it for them. Part of what we have to do – andthat process we have to roll out very shortly - isbegin to engage in discussions with public sectorworkers about how they see the transformation,what suggestions they have as to how we canimprove and make it much better this timearound, and whether they are on board with us interms of taking that broad strategic approach ofproviding for a quality public institution that cancreate and enhance an environment for economicgrowth and improvement.

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Your suggestions, your ideas, your involvement,your input, would be more than welcome, andboth Ambassador Saunders and myself as Co chairwill be part of the group that obviously will becoming around to the different public bodies andministries and departments and agencies toengage you in that discussion. So the futurebelongs to all of us. In your hands as in mine liesa future that we bequeath to the next generation,that will certainly help to ensure that we haveplayed our part in creating the kind of a publicinstitution that can provide for better qualitydelivery of service to our taxpayers, that canimprove the quality of lives, as in pay for publicsector workers, and that can make its contributionto economic growth and development in ourcountry. If you are committed to that then weexpect that you will join us as we go across thecountry to talk to you and to other public sectorworkers and civil servants about the way forward,and seek your suggestions and ideas as to how wecan make this project work; and it has to workbecause it belongs to all of us. Thank you very much.

Greetings:Mrs. Helene Davis-Whyte, PresidentJamaica Confederation of Trade Unions

[SALUTATIONS]I would like to commend the leaders of theJamaica Civil Service Association for recognizingthat as trade unions we need to cooperate andunite to achieve the just demands of our workers,and through that recognition they have beenmembers of the Jamaica Confederation of TradeUnions from the very inception. And I know thatin these times sometimes it is very difficult forworkers to understand or accept why it isimportant for trade unions to collaborate andorganize themselves in a united fashion to be ableto achieve their demands. But the leaders of theCivil Service Association have certainly recognizedthis over the years.

We would want to commend the theme as well forthis conference, which is Persistent and ConsistentAdvocating for the Workers, Young Workers andthe Decent Work Agenda. A mouthful, but I think

it covers most of what it is that workers areconcerned with in this day and age of globali-sation and its effects. The Decent Work agenda issomething that we in the Jamaica Confederationof Trade Unions certainly promote, and we arehappy that the Civil Service Association shouldnow recognize the importance of the DecentWork Agenda. One of the things that we wouldwant to focus on in looking at the Decent WorkAgenda is the whole issue of Occupational Safetyand Health and the conditions under which ourworkers are carrying out their tasks in the publicsector.

We in the public sector are called upon throughthe Ministry of Labour and its employees to takeon this very large task of ensuring that there iscompliance with the provisions of the newOccupational Safety and Health Act, once it ispassed into law. It is these officers who areempowered to ensure that the conditions of allworkers are favourable. But in doing that, we haveto at the same time look at the conditions underwhich public sector workers perform their tasks.And we would want to put the Government onnotice that certainly from the point of view of theJamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, we are atthis point looking at the conditions under whichpublic sector workers perform their tasks andputting together what we deem to be non-negotiable items in terms of ensuring that thewhole issue of Occupational Safety and Health inthe public sector is taken seriously.

On behalf of the Jamaica Confederation of TradeUnions we want to commend the Jamaica CivilService Association for remaining organized,remaining united and also as we said earlier,recognizing the importance of establishingalliances with like organizations.

We trust and hope that your conference … will befruitful and that you will realize what it is that youset out to do at the beginning of yourproceedings.

Entertainment Entertainment was provided by Bro. KelvinThomas.

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President’s AddressWhilst we were enjoying the proceedings we werejoined by Mr. Wayne Jones. We also have in ourmidst Mrs. Ruth Clayton, and for those of you whodon't know Mrs. Ruth Clayton, she is who we referto as the mother of the JCSA. She is not 98 yearsold, but we all passed through her hands asrepresentatives of the organization. I want to alsoacknowledge the team from Kingston and St.Andrew Health Department, ever faithfully intheir blue.

Thank you very much for turning out. I hope thatthe other colleagues don't feel jealous of mesingling them out, but I know why I am doing so.And, of course, let me acknowledge the membersof our National Staff Relations Council in thepersonage of Patricia Jackson and HoneydeneLawrence. Thank you for turning up. I am also toldthat the Clerk of the House of Parliament is here.

His Excellency the Ambassador of China toJamaica, Mr. Niu Qingbao, members of the headtable, heads of departments gathered, ourcolleagues from the various Staff Associationsand Trade Unions in the Jamaican LabourMovement, the family of the JCSA group oforganizations; the Thrift Society, the HousingCompany and the JCSA Limited; the family of thelate Sam Stewart, members of the officer corpsand the Executive of the Jamaica Civil ServiceAssociation; members of the General Council ofthe Jamaica Civil Service Association, members allgathered here this afternoon, our friends andcolleagues from our private sector partnersgathered here, we welcome you all to this our98th Annual General Meeting.

The Jamaican Government prides itself as beingthe largest employee of people in what is calledthe public sector. The numbers put the size of theGovernment staff at somewhere between 115,000and 120,000 souls. To be generous in their analysisof the sector, we will say that the number is about120,000. However, only about 35,000 posts existon the Establishment of the Public Sector LabourForce. That is those persons that are appointed byHis Excellency the Governor General. And thisnumber of 35,000 includes the 15,000 men and

women under the leadership of the Commissionerof Police.

That means that the other 80,000 persons are notcovered by section 125 of the Jamaican consti-tution, and thus we need to establish otherprovisions to treat with the employment of LocalGovernment officers, now being around 7,000,teachers numbering around 28,000. This leaves,by our mathematics, about 51,000 persons whoare not covered under the constitution or thevarious items established to govern publicofficers. These 51,000 persons are employed astemporary, permanent and contract employees.Therefore, still applying the mathematics, the sizeof the Jamaican public sector, if we extract thepolice, the number of those persons who are onthe Establishment, is around 20,000.

And with the small size of the public sectorEstablishment, the Government and its agentshave resorted to the use of contract employmentto secure the employment of persons in the publicsector.

It is also important to note that the size of theEstablishment in 2010/2011 was 41,700 persons.Remember I initially said it is now 35,000; it is nowdown to 41,700. This 41,700 included 10,800police officers. Now it has gone to 15,000. Whenwe do the mathematics the real Establishment inthe central civil service has declined by 11,000posts overall, from where it was in 2010/ 2011 towhere we are now.

Employment, my brothers and sisters, mycolleagues all, is a relationship between twoparties, usually based on the contract work, wherework is paid for, where one party, in this case theGovernment, is the employer, and the other party'we' are the employees.

The employees work in return for payment whichmay be in the form of fortnightly or annual wagespaid monthly, and depending on the type of workan employee does or the post which the employeeis working in, a few of the employees in the sectormay receive gratuities, or in some instancesin theexecutive agencies or some of the statutory bodies,

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they may, and I stress the word 'may', may get bonuspayment based on performance. In most types ofemployment, the employees may receive benefits inaddition to payment, and these are the things thatthe union must go out and negotiate with theemployer, to ensure that there are other things thatwe get besides a basic salary.

These benefits include health insurance, housing,transportation, just to name three. The employmentis typically governed by employment laws, or in ourcontext the Public Service Regulation and the StaffOrders for the most part, and in some other contextlegal contracts.

Let us examine the relationship that contractemployees have with the State. An employmentcontract or a contract of employment is a kind ofcontract used in Labour Law to attribute rightsand responsibilities between parties to a bargain.The contract is between the employee andemployer and it is arisen out of the old masterservant law used before the 20th Century. Butgenerally, the contract employment denotes arelationship of economic dependence and socialsubordination. In the words of an often-labelledcontroversial labour lawyer Sir Otto Kahn-FreundQC the relation between an employer and anisolated employee - and I am stressing thisbecause I want you to understand what it is thatI am trying to say – the individual employee hasno power to negotiate their contract and so theyare in a subordinate position because of thebrokerage of power between the master and theservants.

“The relation between an employer and anisolated employee or worker is typically a relationbetween a bearer of power and one who is not abearer of power. In its inception it is an act of submission. You can't say that I don'twant the contract, because it will be withdrawn,and you will be left out in the cold. In itsoperation it is a condition of subordination.However, much of the submission and subordi-nation may be concealed by the indispensablefigment of the legal mind known as the contractof employment.

The main object of Labour Law has been and willalways be a countervailing force to counteract theinequality of bargaining power which is inherentand must be inherent to the employmentrelationship.”

I did not say it, it is Sir Otto Kahn-Freund who haduttered these words. Simply put, the personseeking employment cannot effectively negotiatetheir own contract for fear of the offer ofemployment being withdrawn. A Contract ofEmployment is usually defined to mean the sameas a Contract of Service, and a Contract of Servicehas historically been distinguished from acontract for the supply of services.

The expression is altered to imply a dividing linebetween a person who is employed and someonewho is self employed. The purpose of the dividingline is to attribute rights to people who work forothers. So, this could be the right to a minimum wage, the right to holiday with pay,the right to sick leave, the right to fair dismissal, theright to a written statement of the contract, the rightto organize with a union, and so on.

The assumption is that genuinely self- employedpeople should be able to look after their ownaffairs and therefore, work they do for othersshould not carry with it the obligation that therights that your union has been looking aftersince the 6th May 1919 continues to hold.

The terminology of “contract of employment” iscomplicated using many other sorts of contracts,involving one person doing work for another.Instead of being considered an employee theperson should be, not could be or ought to be, butshould be, considered a worker and in someinstances being defined as a worker in the publicsector means less employment legislationprotection under the Labour Relations & IndustrialDisputes Act.

Because we do not have access to the IndustrialDisputes Tribunal for matters involvingappointments and dismissals and training ofpublic officers, different employers will take asophisticated or complicated approach to thequestion of Contract of Employment.

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This now logically takes us to the use of contractemployment in … the Jamaican public sector.There is a growing trend towards the use ofcontract employment in the public sector. Thereare two general forms. One is a simple contract,generally without gratuity, for the lower staff, witha duration of three months, six months or oneyear. The other is a contract for the other levelsabove the junior staff with gratuity and coversperiods of one year, two years, or three years.Most if not all these contracts are renewable, andthe contract employee is bound by all the rules ofthe public sector. This must be distinguishedfrom the fixed term contracts for targets to be metor for a project.

The renewable fixed term contract, based on ourinterpretation of contracts in the public sector arerenewable based on performance. And I wouldknow, because Mrs. Brown at the AGD, all ourcontracts there were performance based, fromyours all the way down. Once you met yourtargets you have an expectation that yourcontract will be renewed. This is not what ishappening in the public sector now. People areperforming, they are meeting their targets andthey are being told that their contract is not beingrenewed and they are not being told why. And weare having a challenge with it.

When the fixed term date arrives the performanceof the employee must be assessed, and thatassessment usually determines if the contract willbe renewed. There is, as I say, a reasonableexpectation that the contract will be renewed ifthe employee performs as agreed. This conceptof legitimate expectations becomes even morerelevant when the post that the contract isassigned to is well established and there has beenrenewal in the past.

I your President have been repeatedly on therecord questioning the unfair clause in thesecontracts that give the employer the right toterminate the contract without cause. Theemployer is in a position of power and thesubordinate nature of the employee makes him orher impotent to challenge the unfair clause inthese contracts.

In other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth, thereare employees who have challenged thetermination of their employment, and please paycareful attention to what I am saying. I am notspeaking now about the termination of the contract, I am talking about the termination ofemployment.

They are two distinct things. Employees havesuccessfully challenged the termination of theiremployment by way of non renewal ofcontracts… However, in our open context thereseems to be a reluctance of public officers tochallenge their termination of employment …even though there have been successfulchallenges, even in the Jamaican context, of earlytermination without cause by merely givingnotice. This has led to the new practice in ourpublic sector of buying out contracts or waitingfor the contracts to expire then not renewingthem.

We view this as precarious employment.Precarious employment is when someone worksin a job that is permanent, but their employmentis not because it is temporary and by way ofcontract. These vicarious workers fill permanentjobs but are denied the permanent rights that wewho are appointed have. Some will argue thatsome workers chose to accept these contracts, butthat is arguable, because some of us have theexperience that when we apply for a job and weare given an offer, the first thing that is presentedto us is a contract, not the option that we can beappointed in these positions.

The contrast to precarious work is Decent Work,and decent work sums up the aspiration of peoplein their working lives. We do not separate theindividual from their life as an employee.Employee rights are human rights and humanrights are employee rights.

Decent Work involves opportunities for work thatis productive and delivers a fair income; securityin the workplace and social protection for us andour families; better prospects for personaldevelopment and social integration; freedom ofpeople to express their concerns and organize and

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participate in the decisions that affect their lives;and the equality of opportunity and treatment forall men and women.

According to the International LabourOrganization, there has been an increase inurgency among the international policy makers,particularly in the wake of the global financialeconomic crisis of 2008. It is to deliver quality jobsalong with social protection and respect for therights … to achieve inclusive, sustainableeconomic growth and to eliminate poverty.

We find that our Government, our employer, is inconflict. It says it is promoting the Decent WorkAgenda, but it practices precarious employment.This precariousness is typified by theunproductive low paying jobs, lack of socialprotection for the families of public sectorworkers, no respect for rights of workers by usingcontract employment terms for permanent jobs,and lack of opportunity by asking accountantsand auditors when their posts are retitled orreclassified to apply for their own jobs. Andinterestingly we think that is an act of discrimi-nation as there are other groups who are underreclassification, retitling and upgrading, and arenot asked to apply for their own jobs, only theFiscal Management group.

The Jamaica Civil Service Associations isdemanding an end to precarious work and inparticular contract employment againstestablished jobs in the public sector.

We are asking for a demand of security ofemployment and removal of the potential ofvictimization that is inherent in contractemployment.

By our estimates, the elimination of contractemployment for established jobs in the publicsector will save the Government $3 billion perannum in the short to medium term. What thismeans is that all persons in established jobs whonow get a gratuity - and some persons might notlike the JCSA for this - will be able to contributetowards their pensions. So instead of theGovernment paying out 25 percent per contract

year, the Government will retain that 25 percentand receive 5 percent as a contribution towardthe coffers, to deal with issues of funding thepension bill. This is a 30 percent adjustment justby eliminating contract employment and to savethe country overall about $4 billion per annum.

Again, the JCSA calls on the Government topursue with vigour the application of the DecentWork Agenda in the public sector, and to start byeliminating contract employment for establishedjobs and creating the environment and shapingthe policies that will lead to these persons beingpermanently employed under normal terms.

Unfortunately, without showing any disrespect toour Minister; our Minister Rudyard Spencer whohas the responsibility for the public sector, wewere hoping when I was writing my message thatthe Prime Minister would have been here to hearit, but I am sure from my lips to your ears and fromyour lips to his ears, he would understand thepassion that we have when we speak about theuse of contract employment in the public sector.

With that said my brothers and sisters, friends all, Ithank you for your listening ear and hope that wewill have a successful rest of our Annual GeneralMeeting and God Bless you all. Thank you.

Introduction of Keynote SpeakerSister Natalie James introduced the keynotespeaker.

Keynote SpeakerHon. Rudyard Spencer, MP OD Minister of State in theMinistry of Finance and the Public Service Representing The Most Hon. Prime Minister

[SALUTATIONS]… I got invited to this session today and was toldthat the Prime Minister was also invited. I saidthank God for that because knowing the Presidentas I do, I know some barbs were going to bethrown at the Prime Minister. Lo and behold … Iam representing the Prime Minister. But one thingI want your President to understand is that I sharehis concern about the Decent Work Agenda…

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PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE:It is my pleasure to be here with you at this 98thAnnual General Meeting of the Jamaica CivilService Association.

I must start by registering my deep appreciationfor our country's civil servants, without whom thecritical job of delivering public goods and servicesto citizens would not be possible. I must alsorecognize the Jamaica Civil Service Association, anorganization that has persistently and consistentlyrepresented civil servants, not only around thebargaining table but also through vigorously andsuccessfully advocating for the growth anddevelopment of civil servants, the civil service andby extension Jamaica.

As a country we have set ourselves ambitiousgoals, growth of 5 percent in four years - and Mr.Roberts knows about that - a national vision ofJamaica as the place of choice to live, work, growfamilies and do business.

You play an even more critical role in our country'sachieving those goals. Sustained growth in thisglobal environment requires careful examinationof what works, particularly in public sector means.We are faced with more complex challenges thatGovernment must tackle, such as Decent Work.And the key to this is a civil service that is nimbleand innovative in order to address thosechallenges, and to take advantage of the immenseopportunities that exist in this globalenvironment.

Jamaica's national growth agenda is the key driverof this government's various policies andinterventions. Jamaica must grow. A country withcontinuous growth opens the door to more jobs,increased revenues and the increase ininvestment in our sectors, education, health,technology, housing, water, and the list goes on.We can no longer accept former paths of minimalgrowth in our development. Of course, the publicsector plays a critical role in the growth agenda.

To facilitate and stimulate those factors of growthwe must pay attention to the synergy that needsto be existing between the public and the private

sector for growth to be realized. A bouyantprivate sector must co exist with an efficient andeffective public service.

What does this mean for the Civil Service worker?We must look to the nature of work within thepublic sector in light of the growth mandate. Thecore rules of the public servant have typicallybeen to provide policy advice; implementGovernment policies; deliver programmes;services and regulations; and manage resourceand infrastructure. While these remain at theheart of what public servants do, the nature ofwork continues to change, and while change inthe administration of public service is not new, thepace of this change is now different from global-ization and ensuing growth of people, capital andinformation; from the growing complexity of thetypes of services required for the public sector;from the increased expectation of the publicservice to deliver on areas such as growth, citizens'security, and to the progressiveness of digitalcommunication and technology that istransforming how information is delivered andprocessed. The public service and by nature civilservants must meet these changes.

Adapting to these charges requires a hard look athow bureaucratic our structure is. We must cometo terms with the fact that public service nowneeds to be more agile and nimble with a moreopen and collaborative way of working.Additionally, it is incumbent on all of us, especiallypublic servants to create a public service thatrepresents the best of Jamaica and that serves asa training ground for excellence.

Scholars and practitioners of public adminis-tration know that the rules of the 21st Centurypublic service centres around four broad areas: (1)Collaboration, relationship between people andorganizations. (2) Communication; with anemphasis on digital media modes (3)Commercialization: Getting the best value fromthe public, private and community sectors. (4)Control: Ensure legal, financial and democraticstandards are met.

Given these changes and our growth mandate,Public Sector Transformation represents a key

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component in the achievement of sustainablegrowth. As you are aware, some of our inventionswill include shared corporate services, outsourcing, the merging of some public entities aswell as diversifying of others. To reflect thechanging needs and expectations of the publicservice, and to achieve a more efficient and agileapproach to service delivery, we will be resolutein identifying and eliminating where necessarythose entities with visions and work programmesthat overlap with others. All those entities that areinactive, of course, the transformation process willbe hindered if we do not include your invaluableinput. You are the experts; the repository ofknowledge and we must lean on you tounderstand the public service and the needs andwants of the civil servants.

Additionally, the public service must be theepitome of Decent Work … which involvesopportunities for productivity, security, socialprotection and personal development. Of note isthe fact that the Occupational Safety and HealthBill was finally tabled in Parliament.

The public sector transformation process servesas the platform for creating a public service thatensures the Jamaican state is seen in the best wayin the best light and held in the highest regard. Inorder to ensure that process, monitoring andcommunication is taking place. The Public SectorTransformation Oversight Committee was set upin November 2016 to review the Government'simplementation of the public sector transfor-mation-related activities, and to structurallybenchmark and report to the public. PSTOCrecently released a statement indicating that allthe benchmark for the March quarter have beenmet. Any country with an effective and efficientpublic service is one where excellence, merit andtalent excel.

Our young people must see the public service asa place of choice for work. Indeed, our youngpeople play a vital role. With youth comes energy,innovation, and optimism, and we must providethe supporting environment and opportunities.Through the recently announced housingopportunity, production, employment

programme, we are targeting our unattached andat-risk youths, so that they will be able to displaytheir true talent and creativity while contributingmeaningfully to their personal and naturaldevelopment. With the help of the educated andinnovative young people, we will re imagine,redesign and drive Jamaica's transformation.

Again, I encourage you to think of yourselves as21st Century public servants and how a renewedpublic service should work for you. In addition toworking for the broadened Jamaican public wecannot embark on the journey of sustainedgrowth and prosperity without the type of publicservice needed to underpin this growth. We mustall believe in our individual and collective respon-sibility and ability.

To bring about change I am encouraged by your contributions, the past, the current and the future.Jamaica's growth prospects are in good hands andin the public service we expect it to get only better.

EntertainmentEntertainment was provided by the JamaicaCustoms Agency Choir.

Presentation of the General Council forthe Administrative Year 2017/2018 The Chairman presented the General Council forthe administrative year 2017/2018.

Presentation of AwardsSamuel E Stewart Memorial Scholarship:Miss Ayana Cameron

Chapter of the year AwardManchester Chapter

Most Improved ChapterSt. Catherine Chapter

Committee of the YearWomen’s Action CommitteeGeneral Council Long Service Award – 14 YearsMs. Lileith James, Chapter Chairman TrelawnyChapter

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JCSA Women's Action Committee EssayCompetition. Winners from Tarrant Primary School. Category- Grade 1-4Best Essay – Alecia Carter, Grade 1Best Essay – Kayalese James Robb, Grade 2Best Essay – Jaquan Sam, Grade 3Best Essay – Shanta Allen, Grade 4

Category – Grade 4-61st Place – Channell Bailey2nd Place – Jaqun Hardware3rd Place – Leanna Montaque

Departmental Representative of the YearSister Annmarie Campbell Bell

President’s AwardSister Charmaine Gillette, Chapter Chairman forthe St. James Chapter.

President’s Closing RemarksThe Chairman invited the audience to attend thebusiness session.

Vote of ThanksSister Natalie James to give the vote of thanks.

National Anthem

Adjournment

Business Session of the 98th Annual General MeetingDay Two JACISERA Park May 26, 2017

ResumptionThe meeting reconvened with the BusinessSession on Friday, May 6,2017 at 10:39 a.m.

PrayerPrayer was offered by Bro. Dave Williams.

WelcomeThe Chairman welcomed all to the meeting andhanded over to Sis. Sharon Anderson who chairedthe session on Pension Reform.

Sis. Anderson proceeded to advise the membersthat Pensions Reform as proposed by ouremployer had many points with which the JCSAdisagreed.

The vesting period of contract workers was onesuch issue and JCSA was asking that the vestingperiod for eligible employees be five years only asit relates to the defined contributory pension.

Another issue was the way forward regardingpersons contributing to the Widows and OrphansFund, also known as the Family Benefit Fund. Thisshould be rationalised and therefore membersneeded to leave with a JCSA position in the formof a Resolution on the way forward.

Members were guided to raise questions on thematter after which they broke out into workshopsto formalise the Resolution.

Confirmation Of MinutesThe minutes of the meeting held May 26 - 27, 2016having been circulated was taken as read, theamendments were recorded and a motion for theacceptance of the Minutes was moved by Sis.Ingrid Edwards and seconded by Sis. DonaPellington.

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Matters Arising1. Heads of Agreement

The President indicated that a Claims Cadreteam had been put in place. Outstandingmatters from past Agreements were stillbeing vigorously pursued. Our new claim hadbeen presented to our employer.

2. Devolution of Authority

The President opined that the administrationof discipline in the public sector by individualdepartments is going to be a key feature ofour position on the Decent Work Agenda.

3. Tax Administration Jamaica

The President stated that unresolved issuescontinue to be a challenge to JCSA. There ismiscommunication being sent to staff onmatters that have not yet been resolvedunder law. He reported that meetings werebeing held to address outstanding issues.

4. The Accountant General's Department

The President informed the Meeting that theDepartment was having serious issues withrelocation from the Public Building West tothe renovated space at 1 King Street. JCSA isbeing cautious and representing the staffissues as best we can through the Ministry ofFinance the parent Ministry of the AccountantGeneral.

5. Fiscal Management Group

The President advised that work continues onthe matter of monitoring the re-classificationin relation to re-titled and upgraded positionswithin this Group.

6. Occupational Safety and Health Legislation

The President advised that this legislation hadbeen delayed in the House. We were pushingit through the Confederation as a nationalissue and would continue to advocate for it tocome on stream as quickly as possible.

7. Comprehensive Labour Market Reform

The President advised that this was ongoingand that the report would soon be made

available to members to help them determinewhat Comprehensive Labour Market Reformmeans.

8. Communication within the Organisation

The President advised that this was a work inprogress. Improvements had been made andwere continuing.

9. Unions Estate

The President advised that a preliminaryfeasibility study had been done to act uponthe request of the residents for us to see howwe can enter into some propertymanagement agreement with them. Thestudy proved that it could be feasible for theJCS Housing Company to do it. A meeting isto be convened with the members at UnionsEstate to consider how we could establish arelationship to manage the strata organi-sation.

10. Twenty Acres Per Parish

The President advised that NHT has agreed todo the housing project at Irwin. The JCSAHousing Company is to do the paperwork forthe financial application. For Irwin it is just amatter of the NHT now completing itsdevelopmental plan and issuing the tenderfor the construction of the housing solutionsin Hague.

In relation to Albion, NHT has indicated thatbased on their standards only five (5) to ten(10) acres could be fully developed with units.

General Secretary’s ReportThe report having been circulated was taken asread and adopted on a motion moved by Bro.Dave Williams and second by Sis. Techa ClarkeGriffiths.

The President applauded the continuousrecruitment work of the Association. He alsoreferred to the completed work done to compilethe strategic and action plans of the Associationfor the years 2016/2020.

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Financial ReportSis. Paulette Bruce-Williams, Honorary Treasurerinvited the Auditor to highlight her report on thefinancial statement. In the absence of Sis. KarenMcPherson, JCSA’s Auditor, the report was read bythe assistant Auditor, Sis. Shaneike Parks. Thereport stated that in the opinion of the Auditorsthe accompanying financial statements werepresented fairly. The financial position of theJamaica Civil Service Association as of November30, 2016 and the results of its operations and itscash flows for the year then ended in conformitywith accounting principles and generallyaccepted accounting principles.

Sis. Bruce-Williams reported on the financials ofthe Association. She cited challenges andstrategies which have been implemented to bringabout improvements in self accounting in theorganisation. She thanked the Officer Corps, thestaff of the Secretariat and her team for theirsupport.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted on a motionmoved by Bro. Gary Mowatt and seconded by Sis.Gillette-McLellan.

Motions And ResolutionsThe Resolution on Pension Reform was presentedon a motion moved by Bro. Gary Mowatt andseconded by Bro. Clarence Frater. The Resolutionso amended was accepted by the members.

The Resolution on Term Limits for the office ofPresident was deferred until General CouncilRetreat on a motion moved by Bro. Clarence Fraterand seconded by Sis. Christine Regent

Award Of HonorariaA recommendation was made by the HonoraryTreasurer for the Honoraria for the 2017 year beset at $2 million. The motion for the approval ofthe amount was moved by Sis.JacquelineKinghorn and seconded by Sis. Sandra Brown. Allwere in favour.

Appointment Of AuditorsSisters Karen McPherson and Shanieke Parks wererecommended for re-appointment. All were infavour.

Election Of OfficersThe Honorary Election Officer Sis. Pauline Walshreported that Officers Bro. O’Neil Grant and Sis.Gillian Corrodus were returned by acclamationthere being no other candidates nominated.

The Officer Corps was presented to themembership.President: O’Neil GrantFirst Vice President: Robert St. Francis ChungSecond Vice President: Gillian CorrodusThird Vice President: Sharon AndersonHonorary Treasurer: Paulette Bruce Williams

President’s Closing RemarksThe President declared that the Annual GeneralMeeting was a success and that the time spentover the two days was beneficial to the organi-sation . The deliberations were interesting and hadadded to the vibrancy of the organisation.

AdjournmentThe President thanked all the members formaking the meeting the success it has been.

The National Anthem was sung.

There being no other business the Presidentadjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

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Annual Report 2017-2018Executive Committee Meetings

For the period June 2017 – May 2018

OFFICERS OFFICE SPECIAL REGULAR EXEC. COM. APOLOGIESRETREAT

1 11 1

GRANT, O’Neil PRESIDENT 1 9 1 2

CHUNG, Robert St. F. 1st VP 1 6 1 3

CORRODUS, Gillian 2nd VP 3 1 7

ANDERSON, Sharon 3rd VP 7 1 4

BRUCE-WILLIAMS, Paulette HON. TREASURER 11 1

BURRELL-RODNEY, Angela National Land Agency 1 11 1

CAMERON, Sandra Post & Telecom 10 2

CAMPBELL-BELL, Ann Marie Jamaica Custom Dept. 1 11 1

CLARKE-GRIFFITHS, Techa Local Govt. Dept. 9 2

CORNWALL, Kevin PICA 1 11 1 1

FRATER, Clarence Min. of Industry & Comm. 1 10 1

GILLETTE, Charmaine MLSS 11 1

JAMES, Natalie PICA 1 10 1

POYSER, Raymond MEG&JC 1 8 1

THOMPSON, Michael STATIN 1 9 1 2

WILLIAMS, Dave Noel OPM 1 7 1 3

FOLKES, Khadrea NSRC 5 5

WHILBY, Denham NSRC 1 10 1

LAWRENCE, Onydeen NSRC (since Dec. 12, 2017) 7 1 1

JACKSON, Patricia NSRC 1 8 1

GRANT, Suzette 8

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Min/Dept/Agency Special Qtrly Qtrly Special Qtrly Qtrly Total Remarks(Jun 2017) (Aug 2017) (Nov 2017) (Feb 2018) (Feb 2018) (May 2018) Attended

(6)Officers Grant, O'Neil RADA P P P P E P 5Chung, Robert Retired P P P P P P 6Corrodus, Gillian Min. of Labour & Soc. Security P E E E E E 1Anderson, Sharon Retired P P P P P P 6Bruce-Williams, Paulette Retired P P P E E P 4

Departmental RepresentativesAllen, Vincent DCS - Tower Street P P P P A P 5Allison, Nargeree DCS - Head Office E P A P P A 3Ameir Cummings, Yanique Min. of For. Affairs & For. Trade P P P P P P 6Beach, Paula Companies Office of Jamaica E P P P P P 5Bell, Regina Court Management Services P E A P A P 3Bellamy, Churton TAJ - Constant Spring Road P A A P P P 4Brown, Carole ODPEM E A P P A A 2Brown, Kevin Min. of Ind. Comm, Agri. & Fish. A A A A A A 0Brown, Latoya Natl Public Health Laboratories P E P P P E 4Brown, Othneil Min. of Finance & Public Serv. P A A P A A 2Brown-Kinghorn, Jacqueline KSA Health Dept. P A P P P P 5Brown-Thompson, Millicent Bellevue Hospital P A P P A P 4Bryson, Camelia TAJ - Oxford Road E E E E E E 0Buford, Camille Registrar General’s Department P P P P E P 5Burnett, Livingston National Chest Hospital P P E A A A 2Burrell-Rodney, Angela NLA - Head Office P A P P P P 5Byfield, Leo Min. of Labour & Social Security P P P P P P 6Cameron, Sandra Post & Telecommunications Dept. P P P P P A 5Campbell, Racquel Min of Local Govt & Comity Dev. P P P P P A 5Campbell Bell, Ann Marie Jamaica Customs Agency P P P P P P 6Chambers, Kevin Water Resources Authority P P - - - - 2 Resigned

Aug 2017Clarke, Golda Auditor General’s Department E E P P P P 4Clarke, Kevin Statistical Institute of Jamaica P P P P P A 5Clarke-Cole, Anastasia Natl Council for Senior Citizens P P P P P P 6Clarke-Griffiths,Techa Min of Local Govt & Comity Dev. P P P P P P 6Clemmings, Sandra Houses of Parliament P E P P P P 5Codner, Trevor Food Storage & Prev. of Infest Div. P P P P A A 4Cornwall, Kevin PICA P P P P P E 5Cummings-McLaughlin, Roshele KSA Andrew Health Dept. E A A A A A 0Dallas, Nicholas Companies Office of Jamaica P P A A P P 4Davis, Vivett SERHA P A A P A A 2Edwards, Annette Shortwood Teachers’ College P E E P P A 3Edwards-Butler, Charlene Jamaica 4-H Clubs P E P P P A 4Edwards, Ingrid Min. of Transport & Mining P A P P A P 4Edwards, Kayanna Kingston Public Hospital P E A P A P 3Ferguson, Patrick Min. of Eco. Growth & Job Creation P A A A A A 1Folkes, Khadrea (NSRC) Min. of Labour & Social Security E A A A A – 0Frater, Clarence Min. of Ind. Comm, Agri. & Fish. P E P P P P 5Frue, Ronald Administrator General’s Dept. P P A P A A 3Gibson, Richard NLA- Survey & Mapping P P P P P P 6Graham, Sheldon Post & Telecommunications Dept. E P P A P P 4Grant, Suzette Forestry Department P P P P P P 6Gray, Herbert DCS - Horizon Adult Remand Ctre P A A P E A 2

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Green-Livingston, Melva Bustamante Hospital for Children P P P P P P 6Hall, Llewellyn Min. of Labour & Social Security P P P P P P 6Hardy, Andre National Works Agency E A A P A A 1Harrison, Rahja Accountant General’s Dept. P P E P A A 3Haye, Sheryl Accountant General’s Dept. P P E A P P 4Hearne, Sharon NEPA P P A P A P 4Henry, Kingsley Jamaica Customs Agency P E A P A P 3Hutchinson, Richard Cabinet Office P P P P P A 5Jackson, Patricia (NSRC) Registrar General’s Department - - - E E P 1James, Natalie PICA P P P A E P 4Johnson, Anthony Jamaica National Heritage Trust P P P P P P 6Johnson-Fletcher, Ashella Min. of National Security P P A A P A 3Jones, Anthony Mines & Geology E P P P P P 5Kerr, Michael Jamaica Information Service P P A A P A 4Lawrence, Aneeka DCS - South Camp - A P A P A 2 As at

Aug 2017Lawrence, Onydeen (NSRC) Min. of Local Govt & Comity Dev P P A P A A 3Loague, Sheryl Bellevue Hospital P A P P A P 4Marshall, Geoffrey Water Resources Authority - P P A P P 4 As at

Aug 2017McCurbin, Harold Bustamante Hospital for Children P P A P P P 5McDonald, Faith Ministry of National Secretary P P P P A P 5McGrath-Bruke, Tsahai Registrar General’s Department P P P P P P 6Mendez-Williams, Sandra Kingston Public Hospital P A A P P A 3Miller, Ervin JCF Finance Branch P P P P A P 5Mitchell, Shawn TAJ - King Street P P A P A A 3Morgan, Ethel DCS - Fort Augusta P P A A A A 2Mullings-Arnold, Melaini TAJ - Oxford Road P P P P P P 6Myers, Rayburne St Catherine Adult Corr. Centre P P A A P A 3Newman, Dionne National Works Agency E P P P P P 5Noble, Rolando Min. of Labour & Social Security P P P P P P 6Palmer, Michael NLA - Estate Management Div. P A A P P P 4Patterson, Sharon Supreme Court A A P P A A 2Pellington, Dona TAJ - Stamp Duty P P P A P P 5Pessoa-McGregor, Carmelita Jamaica Dental Nurses Assoc P P P A P E 4Plummer, Peter Jamaica Defence Force A A P P P A 3Poyser, Raymond Min. of Econ Growth & Job Creation P P E P P P 5Pratt, Felecia Court Management Services A A A A A A 0Pryce, Rhonda TAJ - East Street P A P P E P 4Rankine-Johnson, Rhona Post & Telecom Inspectors Assoc A P P P A A 3Odel, Reece Child Development Agency P P P P P A 5Reeves, Shawna-Kay Min. of Science, Energy & Tech. E P A P P P 4Regent, Christine TAJ - King Street P P A A A A 2Reid, Ann-Marie Min. of For Affairs & For Trade P P P P P P 6Reid, Lloyd Jamaica Defence Force A P P P P P 5Rudd-Russell, Laurel Ministry of Health E A A A A A 0Roberts, Alrington Min. of Finance & Public Service P P P P P P 6Ruddock, Courtney DCS - Head Office P P P P P P 6Saunders Hammond, Carol PICA - P P A A P 3 As at

Aug 2017Scott, Christopher DCS - Metcalfe Street P P P P P P 6

Min/Dept/Agency Special Qtrly Qtrly Special Qtrly Qtrly Total Remarks(Jun 2017) (Aug 2017) (Nov 2017) (Feb 2018) (Feb 2018) (May 2018) Attended

(6)Departmental Representatives

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Sharpe, Debbie Criminal Investigation Bureau E P A P A A 2Shrouder, Maxine Jamaica Information Service P P P P P P 6Simpson, Robert National Library of Jamaica E P A A - - 1 RetiredSinclair-Stewart, Tracy-Ann Institute of Jamaica A P P P P P 5Street, Mitzie Auditor General’s Department E E P P P A 3Thompson, Michael Statistical Institute of Jamaica P P P P P P 6Walker, Faith NEPA P P E P A P 4West-Webb Rose-Marie RADA P A P P P A 4Whilby, Denham (NSRC) Retired P P P A P P 5Williams, Dave Noel Office of the Prime Minister P P P P P A 5Williams, Lemuel Forestry Department P P P P P P 6Williams, Sheryl Min. of Labour & Social Security - A A P P A 2 As at

Aug 2017Wilson, Vaughn TAJ - Constant Spring Road P P A A A A 2Wood, Boan Institute of Jamaica P P P P P P 6Wray, Kenisha Min. of Science, Energy & Tech. P A P P P P 5Wright, Leon Ministry of Health P P P P P A 5

Chapter ChairsBrown, Sandra South East Regl Health Auth. P E P P E P 4Clarke, Carol Brown's Town Comm College - - - - P P 2 As at

Jan 2018Coleman-Clarke, Karen St. Mary Parish Library P E P P P P 5Drummond, Dellaceta Savana-La-Mar Hospital P A P P P P 5Ferguson, Paulette Jamaica 4-H Clubs P E P A E E 2Findlay, Erlett Ministry of Education P E P P P P 5Gillette-McLellan, Charmaine Min. of Labour & Social Security P P P P P P 6Henry, Ann Marie Ministry of Education P E P P P - 4James, Lillieth RADA P E P P P A 4Kerr, Adrian Court Management Services P E P A - - 2Lawrence, Tamara Min. of Labour & Social Security P E P P A P 4Lewis-Brown, Stephanie Social Development Commission P P P P P P 6Mitchell, Fayann Tax Administration Jamaica P P P A A P 4Morris, Sardia Ministry of National Security P A P P P P 5Robinson, Shauna Tax Administration Jamaica P P P P A A 4Wynter, Kristie-Kay Min. of Labour & Social Security - - - - E P 1 As at

Jan 2018

P: presentA: AbsentE: Excused

Min/Dept/Agency Special Qtrly Qtrly Special Qtrly Qtrly Total Remarks(Jun 2017) (Aug 2017) (Nov 2017) (Feb 2018) (Feb 2018) (May 2018) Attended

(6)Departmental Representatives

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Honorary Treasurer’s Report

It is with pleasure that I present to the 99thAnnual General Meeting the financialstatements for the financial year ending

November 30, 2017.

Financial Overview Although we have attained 7% increase insubscription income it was mainly fromincreased membership, correction of inaccuratesubscriptions being deducted from membersand salaries/wages increase for the periodended March 2017. We were prevented fromrealizing our targeted subscription incomebecause the expected public sector wageagreement did not materialize during theperiod.

Our major performance indicatorsThe strategy of cost containment continued. Asa result, operating expense increased by only 13%. Net income was reduced by 57%. Thisperformance can be explained by the negativerelationship between net income and annualresidential retreat expense. Annual retreatexpense leapt by 975%. Salaries and relatedexpenses increased by 12% due to salaryincreases and employment of additional staff.Printing expense climbed by 225% as a result ofthe application form being used. Workshops/conference increased by 4%. This is a significantachievement as a delegation attended PSIcongress in Geneva. The closure of the regionaloffice in St. Mary and removal of the St. James’office were significant in a 38% reduction inrental expense. The Mini Mart has extended itsproduct line to include Lasco products. LegalFees increased by 814% as a result of a legalrepresentation on Industrial Relations Issuesheard in the court.

Outlook for 2017/2018The early retirement of over 800 public sector

officers before the implementation of thePension Reform programme and the Heads ofAgreement (salary package) for four years aretwo areas that I anticipate will have someinfluence on how we (JCSA) position ourselveswith meeting the needs of the membership. Wewill continue to focus on eachMinistries/Departments and Agencies as anindividual entity with its unique issues. We willcontinue to systematically engage thoseentities that are failing to pay over subscriptionsin a timely manner and deducting the incorrectpercentage of subscription from our members.JACISERA Park Renovation Project should becompleted to accommodate the 100 yearbirthday celebration.

I must express my sincere gratitude to the staffof the Secretariat, Officers and General Councilfor their support and understanding as wemanage our tight cash flow. I would also like tosay a grateful thank you to: the team ofAssistant Honorary Treasurers: Denham Whilby,Suzette Grant and Sandra Cameron, The auditorteam: Karen McPherson, Yvette Roberts,Aundrey Green and Shanique Parks. TheAccounts Unit team: Crystal Lee, ShaniqueScott and Shornette Walker – Duncan who hassince left the team.

In Solidarity Paulette Bruce Williams, MSc. BSc.

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Macroeconomic Indicators2015 2016 2017 2018E

Nominal GDP (US$Bn) 14.2 13.8 14.2 14.8 Real GDP Growth (%) 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.4 Population (MM) 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 Inflation % (Av) 4.0 4.1 4.4 4.8 Private Consumption (%GDP) (4.4) 2.0 2.0 1.6 Fiscal Deficit (%GDP) (0.3) 0.5 0.7 0.3 Current-account balance (US$ bn) (0.4) (0.1) (0.3) (0.4)Current-account balance (% of GDP) (3.0) (0.9) (1.9) (3.0)Trade Balances (3.1) (2.9) (3.1) (3.2)International Reserves ($USBn) 2.9 3.3 3.5 3.1 Unemployment rate (Av) 13.5 13.0 12.0 13.0

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Category 2016/2017 2015/2016 Change$ $ $ %

Income 86,803,072 81,046,152 5,756,920 7.103261

Expenditure 83,867,277 74,093,080 9,774,197 13.19178

Surplus/(Deficit) 2,935,794 6,953,072 -4,017,278 -57.777

Total Assets 36,682,320 38,011,848 -1,329,528 -3.49767

Subscription Income 82,530,815 77,280,956 5,249,859 6.793212

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Independent Auditor’s Report

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