Dear Editor,

Last week calls came from the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) demanding the dismissal of Firearm Licensing Authority CEO Shane Dalling.

In a letter addressed to the National Security Minister Robert Montague, the JCSA president, O’Neil Grant, declared the union had no confidence in Dalling. The JCSA president wrote, among other things, that’s Dalling “has no good track record in industrial relations in the public sector…”

Let’s set things straight!

Firstly, it is grossly unfortunate that Grant is comfortable casting judgement on someone’s ability to head an organisation based on their performance elsewhere. If a judgement must be made, let it be on the work he has done in his current capacity.

Next, Dalling is known to shake things up at whatever entity he heads. The Firearm Licensing Authority needs a good shake-up. Minister Montague has in fact instructed Dalling and the new board to clean up the ‘ship’. Like most people willing to disturb the peace of corruption, he’s no crowd favourite.

Finally, the minister of national security does not have the authority to dismiss the CEO of the Firearm Licensing Authority, and he has expressed that he continues to have confidence in Dalling.

While trade unions have their place and serve their purpose, I do believe Grant is out of line with his absolutely baseless claims. To date, the Firearm Licensing Authority is not in violation of any contract, so is there another motive for Grant’s attack?

Patrice McLean

patmclean74@gmail.com