On a related note to the PLP blog's return to torture us all with it's trademark distortion and incessant spin, there is a statement (yet another Government statement not posted on the Government website but on the party's) that seeks to provide an 'update' on the North American Department of Tourism and the fired employees.
The problem? It paints a very rosy picture that doesn't at all mesh with what an employee sent me yesterday.
The email I received is published in full at the end of this post, but first read a sample of the PLP's spin which directly contradicts the immediate recount from my source:
PLP's statement:
The distributed information included details on the new structure of the overseas Tourism operation, job descriptions for the new job posts within the restructured overseas Tourism operation and information on posts currently vacant within the Ministry of Tourism and Transport.
Employee's version:
Of the 17 positions, only 4 are retained for current staff members.
Staff must apply for the other positions, some of which clearly no one now working for the Department will be qualified for, so there will certainly be more than 8 people out of work as reported. When asked to review the job descriptions for the new positons, it was discovered that the "forgot" to bring them. In addition, the positions have not yet been graded.
Were the job descriptions provided or forgotten?
The full version I received yesterday can be read below (I've left typos):
Posted by Christian S. Dunleavy
Well, today the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Cherie Whitter along with the Acting Director of Tourism Ian MacIntyre and the Head of the Civil Service once again met with the overseas staff of the Bermuda Department of Tourism. Mrs. Whitter presented an overview of the "new structure". It is certainly not as presented in the press. Of the 17 positions, only 4 are retained for current staff members.Staff must apply for the other positions, some of which clearly no one now working for the Department will be qualified for, so there will certainly be more than 8 people out of work as reported. When asked to review the job descriptions for the new positons, it was discovered that the "forgot" to bring them. In addition, the positions have not yet been graded. The PS gave the whole presentation in a manner that was certainly unconcerned and appeared to project a feeling of "oh well." Mr. MacIntyre doesn't seem to have a clue as to whati is going on, and Mr. Dill was caught off guard and unable to a question as he spent most of the meeting reading and replying to messages on his Blackberry.
It was mentioned that there will be some opportunities for those returning to Bermuda, but these appear to be within the Tourism and Transport Ministry, not "within Government" as previously reported. Ms. Whitter advised of two positions in Tourism (which have not yet been approved and both are temporary), and a few positions in Transport......some of which are being in charge of queing up taxis for passengers for the taxi line at the airport, and traffic control at the airport.
Quite insulting...this is truly a sad day for Bermuda. This whole ordeal is so sloppy it is beyond reason.