THE EDITOR, Sir:
ARTICLE ON page 2a of The Gleaner of December 12, 2001, captioned "Councillors push for raise in travel allowances" by staff reporter Omar Anderson revealed only one of the many steps taken in efforts to obtain parity for Councillors islandwide by Jamaica United Local Government Representatives Association JULGRA through its president Mr. J.A.G. Myers O.D. J.P., past long-serving Mayor of Black River, St. Elizabeth and once vice-chairman of ALGA.
Among the many things advocated for by JULGRA are:
1. Equal pay for equal work;
2. Ex-gratia and/or gratuity payment to Councillors with less than pensionable service;
3. Payment for earned, untaken periodic holidays;
4. Extension of comprehensive health insurance consistent with mandate given by ALGA at a 1999 AGM meeting and;
5. Adjustment of travelling subsistence to Councillors to be on par with public sector workers, as of 1995.
Letters have been written to all concerned in authority to implement and bring onstream the long-promised pension, which some Jamaicans believe Councillors now obtain, but in fact do not.
It is full time that Councillors be addressed properly, as their task has become more intense and stressful, sometimes even more than that of Members of Parliament. This is due mainly to the fact that Councillors often live among and are more readily accessible to constituents than their Parliamentary counterparts.
It is unfortunate that many MPs who were Councillors seem to be throwing stones behind their backs and have forgotten the role of Councillors. They should remember that Councillors are deserving of their pension and should not be discriminated against.
I am, etc.,
B.St.E. ANGLIN
Secretary/Treasurer
JULGRA
