Workers of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) have down tools following the non-payment of salaries for weekly workers and disciplinary action taken against the Town Clerk.
Yesterday, workers including those in the constabulary staged a sit-in protest. According to workers, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) Orin Gordon has acted out of his authority by issuing the Town Clerk Patrick Innis a letter of suspension for a period of two weeks. “The IMC don’t have the power to fire or suspend the TC and they did that and refusing to deal with him for the period,” said employees.
Consequent of the rift in the council, cheques, vouchers and other documents for the payments of weekly workers have not been signed. With the support of their union, the workers decided to down tools. “Is only a skeleton staff deh working now and deh senior one,” they said.
Contacted yesterday Town Clerk Innis said that he is not allowed to speak to the press but confirmed that there is an impasse at the council. Efforts to contact the IMC Chairman Orin Gordon proved futile.
The action taken by the workers has resulted in the non-collection of revenue at check points, parks and market vendors. They said that they intend to proceed with a street demonstration on Monday. “While the town clerk don’t have to acknowledge dat letter Orin Gordon have to withdraw it or we ain’t going back to work,” said one worker.
