The home journal. [volume], June 30, 1952, Image 3

About The home journal. [volume] (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I.) 1951-1973

Image provided by: University of the Virgin Islands

                
THE HOME JOURNAL '
A Virgin Islands Publication
Published Evezgr Monday,
Wednesday and Saturday
EARLEB. OTTLEY . ... .. Editor
5 cent a copy, 50 a month,
$6.00 a year ¥7.00 abroad
Advertising Rates on Request
S E T e eRy
Monday, June 30, 1952
Pay Plan Hullabaloo
Quite apart from the
hullabaloo which has been
raised over the new pay
plan by dissatisfied munici
pal employees who are con
vinced that they are the
victims of discrimination
and unfair treatment, we
believe that there is some
thing fundamentally wrong
with the personnel merit
system law as interpreted
and administered in the
Virgin Islands.
We agree that the task
of the Personnel Division is
a difticult one with pres
sure being applied from a
thousand different direc
tions. But even today, with
the proposed expenditure
of more than SIOO,OOO in
this municipality to make
salary adjustments, there
is no lessening of the dis
gruntlement among munici
pal employees. The com
plaintsarenotconfined to the
pay plan,although thatisthe
major cause of the trouble.i
Many inequalities begin.
with the classifications of I
positions and no amount of
juggling of the salary ranges
could possibly remedy that
problem. Mechanics, plum- I
bers, electricians, masons,
carpenters. welders, andl
other persons who work
with their hands and whol
had to undergo years of
training to acquire their
specialized skills are placed
ina much lower category
than mediocre typists. In
private employment some
of these workers would re-
The Home Journal
ceive from three to four|
times what the govern
‘ment gives them, while the
typists we talk about
couldn’'t hold a job two
‘days in private enterprise.
As we understand it, the
personnel meritsystem law
was conceived not only to
give protection to
municipal empl o yees
but also to insure promo
tion based on merit and to
offer ot her incentives
which would lead to in
creased efficiency in the
government service.
Those objectives have not
been attained. It is still
lan easy matter for a de
partment head tokick out
!an unwanted employee;
only a little m o r e paper
work is invoived. Promo
tions come only after
picthed battles between
emfiloyees and those who
make the decisions. It is
significant that efficiency
in the government isat its
lowest level today, several
years after t h e passage
of the merit system law.
In practice, the system of
fers no incentive to the
ambitious, hard-working
and efficient. It puts a
premium on loafing and
inefficiency. If two persons
are classified as &erk I
they draw the same pay
even though oneis pro
'ducing twice as much
work as the other. In pri
vate industry a man is
paid on the basis on what
he produces, but not so in
government service. More
often the government
worker is rewarded by
his connections, the
courage and ability he
has to fight his own bat
tle, and the type of per
son who heads his depart
ment. But frequently all
of these weapons must
yieldto a classification plan
that needs to be thrown
through the window.
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Via §an Juan or by leading con
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Daily flights—non-stop service from
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‘ Notice
The Development Authority
offers you a glorious vacation
; for only $5.00 per month. By
ibuying a monthly ticket for
$5.00, you can take the kids
down to Lindbergh Beach
from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For further information call
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PPN PPN PSP PSP
July 4th Horse Races
Sugar Estate Race Track
Starting 2 p.m.
Ist Race " 6 Furlongs
Truman
Nature Boy
Sailor Boy
2nd Race 5 Fuarlongs
Uncle Ben
Rebel
Little Girl
___ Mi-Lady
3rd Race 5 Furlongs
(Thoroughbred Siake)
Phar Lap
Assault
s TR O
4th Race 6 Furlongs
(Owners Conceit)
Nature Boy
Gay Lad
El Lobo
sth Race 4 Furlongs
Sonny Boy
Littly Girl
= Coaly Bay _
6th Race . 1-4 mi.
Donkey Classie
Purses $lO, 85 ;
7th Race 5 Furlongs
Bicycle Speedsters
Purses $lO & $5
Bth Race 5 Furlongs
(50 ft. Handicap)
Truman
Sailor Boy
Sir Gay Lad 50 ft. back of
the Line
9th Race 6 Furlongs
El Lobo
Sir Henry
Sly Fox
[EI Lobo wiil be given 75
ft. start)