The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FNM Leader Michael Pintard demanded the reinstatement of a young professional whose abrupt departure from the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority has triggered allegations of political victimisation, as party supporters protested outside the authority on Friday.

The controversy surrounds Erinique Johnson, who was recruited as director of human resources but left the authority shortly after beginning work, prompting an online “Justice for Erinique” campaign and criticism from the Free National Movement and its Torchbearers Youth Association.

Mr Pintard and Long Island MP Andre Rollins joined protesters outside the authority before meeting its executive chairman, Jamahl Strachan, to discuss Ms Johnson’s situation.

“We maintain that she ought to be reinstated,” Mr Pintard said. “That is the simple issue. He has an opportunity as a young chairman to do the right thing in terms of demonstrating that young Bahamians have a shot. They get in fairly, they ought to be kept in and protected from bullying.”

Mr Strachan has not addressed the matter directly, rejecting claims that political affiliation influenced the authority’s employment decisions and saying in a statement on Friday that it does not comment on confidential employment matters.

“I will, however, state unequivocally that employment decisions are not influenced by political affiliation,” he said. “Any suggestion to the contrary is inconsistent with the manner in which the Authority conducts its affairs.”

Following his meeting with Mr Pintard, the chairman described the discussion as “very fruitful” and “very progressive” and said dialogue remained open.

However, when asked whether Ms Johnson would be reinstated, Mr Strachan did not give a direct answer. He said the authority was reviewing her resignation letter and would continue discussions.

Mr Pintard disputed that account, saying Ms Johnson had rescinded her resignation.

“There is no resignation letter in hand because she rescinded any resignation,” he said.

The dispute has intensified since the Torchbearers Youth Association alleged that Ms Johnson, who had left stable employment to take the position, was forced and intimidated into resigning on her second day at the authority.

According to the association, Ms Johnson was interviewed and approved for the human resources director post and had assisted with a staff training seminar before formally beginning work.

Torchbearers president Xavier Knowles said Ms Johnson started work on Tuesday and alleged that people had met with Mr Strachan earlier in the week and told him they would not leave the authority’s building until she was removed.

Mr Knowles said the circumstances were especially troubling because Ms Johnson had been offered the position by the chairman and had not sought out the job herself.

He also criticised the authority for locking its gates shortly before Friday’s protest, describing it as symbolic of what he believes is the Davis administration shutting young Bahamians out of opportunities.

Mr Pintard accused the authority of political victimisation and said the episode risked discouraging qualified young Bahamians from trying to build careers in The Bahamas.

“We are outraged for her, and every right-thinking Bahamian should be. Let's call this what it is - blatant victimisation,” Mr Pintard said.

He also questioned whether anyone from the Office of the Prime Minister had contacted Mr Strachan about Ms Johnson’s employment.

The Torchbearers Youth Association has similarly alleged that Ms Johnson was pushed out because she is not a Progressive Liberal Party supporter.

“A young Bahamian professional, left stable employment with a promise of a new opportunity to serve the Bahamian people was sent home because she doesn’t hold up a PLP sign, wear yellow, and shout ‘Be Brave’,” the association said.

Mr Pintard maintained that Ms Johnson’s qualifications were never in dispute.

“They have never said that she's not qualified. In fact, the chairman indicated that he was happy to hire her because she was suitably qualified,” he said.

Mr Rollins described the circumstances as constructive dismissal, arguing that the working environment had become so unhealthy that Ms Johnson was effectively forced to leave.

Mr Pintard said his immediate focus remained Ms Johnson’s reinstatement and that he was unwilling to accept a situation in which a qualified young Bahamian was left unemployed because of political pressure.

The Tribune attempted to contact Ms Johnson for comment about the circumstances surrounding her departure but was unsuccessful.