ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The supervisor of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has decided he’s had enough and wants a transfer.
Reliable sources within EMS have told OBSERVER that Linton Paul did not apply for the recently created post of administrative supervisor.
Contention surrounded the creation and filling of that post last year, which saw Paul’s former subordinate, Charmaine Anthony, suddenly becoming his senior when she was handed the job.
The majority of EMS staff rallied behind Paul to demand that the appointment be rescinded and the post advertised to allow applications by others within the division and elsewhere, who were interested and qualified.
The EMS workers went on strike for more than two weeks over the issue before government finally relented.
During the strike, a scuffle broke out at EMS headquarters between Paul and Permanent Secretary Edson Joseph, who accused the burly supervisor of assaulting him.
Paul was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation for possible disciplinary action, but the suspension was rescinded as part of compromises to end the strike.
Paul has reportedly told his colleagues and superiors that even though his future at EMS could be assured, he is tired of what he regards as favouritism and victimisation within that restive division of the health ministry, and he wants to move on.
The supervisor is said to have requested a transfer, saying he does not really care where he is sent, but just wants to get out of EMS for his own peace of mind.
At the time of this writing Paul is understood to be on sick leave.
