Employees of the Department of Human and Social Services who were threatened of job termination by their director at a staff meeting last week say they are well aware of their rights and are prepared to fight for their jobs.
Two have retained attorneys and plan to defend their employee rights locally and also at the federal level.
Local statute provides that, “No person in the Executive or Judicial Branch with authority to take or recommend a personnel action relative to a person in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the government service may make inquiry concerning his political affiliation.
“All disclosures concerning political affiliation shall be ignored except membership in political parties or organizations constituted by law as a disqualification for government employment.
“Except as may be authorized or required by law, discrimination may not be exercised, threatened, or promised by any person in the Executive or Judicial Branch against or in favor of an employee in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the career service because of his political affiliation.”
In his remarks at the staff meeting, DHSS Director Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona, emphasized that no one including him was irreplaceable…but said that if he is re-appointed he wanted people who were loyal.
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