Feb. 13, 2003 – Four members of the St. Thomas/St. John branch of the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union are still waiting for their Notices of Personnel Action so they can get their negotiated raises, Sgt. Merlin Christian, union spokeswoman, said on Thursday.
"I would like to have what is due me," said Christian, who is one of the four out of 42 members of the union still waiting. The others had their NOPA's signed on Nov. 1, with the raises retroactive to Oct. 1, she said.
Christian said NOPA's are required every time a new contract is signed. She said Joanne U. Barry, the government's Personnel Division director, has not returned her telephone calls requesting information.
Christian noted news media reports that the Personnel Division has a new system to expedite the NOPA process but said she hasn't seen any changes. "Was this a farce? A tactic? Or simply a lie?" she said, charging that "NOPA's are still being held up, prolonged or processed in accordance with who the individuals are."
The Personnel Division did not return a call from the Source on Thursday requesting comment.
The union also announced in a release the swearing-in of its new officers and board of directors by Territorial Court Judge Audrey Thomas. The officers are Lt. Edmund Thompson, president; Lt. Ramon L. Ortiz Sr., vice president; Christian, secretary; and Lt. Joseph Gumbs, treasurer. Board members are Corrections Lt. Steven Lewis, Sgt. Melvin Boynes Sr., Capt. Roberto Simmonds, Lt. Rene Garcia, Sgt. Dwayne DeGraff, Sgt. Barrington Thomas, Lt. Melvin Venzen and Lt. Albert Harrigan.
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