Might cannot beat right

Although I understand the perspective of the Government regarding its inability to pay public sector workers, the fact is 'might should not beat right'.

The Government signed agreements with these workers. How can they get up and unilaterally decide that they will not honour these agreements? The message that is being sent is that workers can no longer have any confidence in an agreement signed with the Government.

I am not arguing pros or cons re the wage issue but I believe that if a signed agreement is to be changed then it should be changed with the input of the affected parties. We do not operate in a dictatorship so no one has the right to take away my rights and tell me that they will not be bullied.

Dialogue over confrontation is what we need.

- David Foster, tophill5@hotmail.com, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Defending Nelson or Phillips?

Your editorial of May 13 urging would-be critics to give serious thought and support to the proposal from Senator Dwight Nelson for a special community police force was particularly interesting in its argumentation.

The article seemed far more interested in throwing petals at the feet of Dr Phillips, or at the very least placing a laurel around his forehead, and hence could hardly be dismissive of Nelson's proposal, than in addressing the concerns that critics may already have raised.

It seems to me that the same weaknesses that afflict the established constabulary forces will likely affect any new unit operating in the name of national security. What special training will they be given that is not available to the current JCF and ISCF? If they are going to be given special training to lessen the likelihood of the kind of abuse often complained of by the public, why not reorientate the current members of the police forces and/or institute same training at the Police Academy?

A bad idea is not made good by the voice which articulates it or which supports it.

- C.B. Barnswell, barnswellc@yahoo.co.uk, Kingston 6

Being a good supervisor

To be a supervisor means that there are certain responsibilities that you have to deal with, and when problems arrive you have to try and resolve those problems amicably. Some supervisors are in the position but they are not capable and they don't have the skills for that position.

A supervisor should not try to intimidate others, or set workers against each other. A supervisor should be transparent, not take sides, be fair and available to discuss situation, and to resolve issues with employee when situation arises.

A supervisor should be able to resolve disputes at the earliest stage and be fair and transparent. A supervisor should be a team player, knowing that you and your co-worker are all on the same team and that everyone has a role to play in order for the team to perform well. One should always remember that a chain is as strong as its weakest link.

- Maria Buchanan, marialbuchanan@yahoo.com, Sebring, Florida