TRADE UNIONIST Akanni McDowall’s lawsuit against the Public Services Commission challenging the way his temporary appointment was terminated will continue later this month.
McDowall and his attorney Gregory Nicholls went before Justice William Chandler today in the No. 10 Supreme Court but he was reluctant to speak after leaving court.
The president of the National Union Public Workers said the National Council had decided to escalate the response from industrial to legal action.
On October 2016, McDowall’s temporary appointment to Health Planning Officer was terminated. It had started on June 8 last year.
The NUPW called out health inspectors in protest.
This led to talks with Chief Personnel Officer Gail Atkins, who, in a release sent through the Government Information Service, stated there was no record indicating McDowall had been demoted.
“I do not know of any other post of Health Promotions Officer in that Ministry. Therefore, the Personnel Administration Division cannot substantiate McDowall’s claim based on the data we have. Our assignment record shows that he was, and is an Environmental Health Assistant.”
In response to the way in which the post was filled, Atkins said they received a recommendation from the Ministry of Health which requested an officer with a background in Economics and not public health, which McDowall has.
The court case has been adjourned for March 31. (SAT)