New contracts worry primary school clerks

They are also calling for an investigation into their working conditions.

In an open letter to Education Minister Anthony Garcia, Audrey Clarke, a letter writer to Newsday said that the three-year contracts for over 400 Business Operations Assistants I (BOAs), previously known as school clerical officers, “are currently in a state of suspension” as they have been placed on six-month contracts.

Newsday has forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Education for a response.

Initial discussions with the BOAs, Clarke said, was that they would either be retained for another three year or their positions would be made permanent.

The six-month contract makes no provision for any leave, she said, whether it was for sickness, personal, bereavement, vacation or maternity.

In addition, Clarke said that salaries are paid two and three months late, and the reasons for this should be investigated.

To make matters more uncertain, she said that there are “claims” that the BOAs’ positions will soon be considered vacant and will advertised in the newspapers. As such all BOAs will have to reapply for their positions with no guarantee that they will be retained.

“BOAs consider this to be a slap in the face,” Clarke said claiming that they have been in the position for many years, have acquired experience and many go the extra mile to get any job done.

Their appraisals done by the schools within which they are assigned, Clarke said, speak of their performance, commitment and dedication, and prove that they are assets within the primary school system.

It was frightening and inhumane, she said, to think of what may happen if they lose their jobs during the current economic recession.

Like everyone else, she said, they have rent/mortgage, loans, children to support and other bills to pay.

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