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But, right now that judgement is not on the front burner for the Financial Secretary; he has to focus instead on major discontent at the Tax Services office.  The newly amalgamated department which came into being just a few months ago had not made a smooth transition, and tonight the Public Service Union is declaring a trade dispute after it has, quote, “reached an impasse with the Ministry of Finance in resolving several issues of concern.  

But today the Financial Secretary told the media said that he has not been apprised of the dispute.  He started out by explaining that the change has not been easy:..

Joseph Waight - Financial Secretary
"Well change is always difficult and I image some people who may have that expectation that have not materialized but there has been no complaint or no grievance filed by anyone so far and we're waiting to see the nature of it. We're hearing things about disgruntlement and perhaps disrespect according to the union but we want to see the concrete, so we can try to address it. Every member of staff is valuable and we try address their concerns but bring the concrete and we prefer to deal with this not in the press but across the table face to face to see what we can do to resolve any issues that may be, but we really need some clarity. The thing is, are the expectations realistic? We went to great pains to explain what the amalgamation was about, there were country tours by management to each both offices at the time to explain. I think we went to great lengths. Now if that is not sufficient, come back and please because we are prepared to listen."

The PSU says it has been seeking dialogue for over a year and that the Ministry has been dismissive.  

The PSU’s issue is that the Ministry has not convened the Project Steering Committee, and has not assured the PSU a permanent seat on that committee.  

As we said at the top, the impasse has been registered with the Labour Commissioner as a trade dispute. A release says, quote, “countrywide meetings shall now be convened to determine the courses of intended industrial pitons to follow.â€￾