NATIONAL Insurance Board staff were up in arms yesterday over the appointment of Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s close relative to a managerial position in the organisation, The Tribune understands.

The appointee, who is said to be the first cousin of the minister, was brought on as an assistant manager of NIB’s Prescription Drug Plan.

The move is one of three new management appointments that sparked outrage because they were undertaken in contravention of NIB’s industrial agreement, inside sources say. Around eight staff members in the Prescription Drug department are said to have called in sick in protest. It is reported that these positions were not advertised, and many within the organisation felt that they had the skills to fill them. They resented outsiders being brought in as managers over them.

When asked if he authorised the employment of his relative at NIB, Minister Gibson denied any knowledge of new managerial appointments. He then asked: “So what does that mean? You are asking me a question, I want to know what you mean. I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Staff are also angry at labour representatives for their silence over the issue.

One claimed someone in the union must have “come to an accommodation” with the government over the appointments, as the NIB contract clearly states all managerial positions must be advertised internally – giving existing staff a chance to apply – before an external person can be hired. The staff member pointed out that union president Winston Moss, brother of PLP Exuma MP Anthony Moss, was always protesting against former NIB director Algernon Cargill, but has not risen to the defence of his members under the present government.

The Tribune was alerted to the situation early yesterday morning by several employees, who claimed that with what has gone on at NIB in recent months, they are now questioning their own job security.

Morale at the Board is at an all time low, they said.

This new upheaval comes after NIB director Algernon Cargill was suspended and chairman Gregory Moss later fired by Prime Minister Perry Christie following a row over the use of Board funds.

It also comes several months after the hiring of Minister Gibson’s son at the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) – one of around 30 appointments there since the election.

In an almost identical situation, the PLP was criticised by existing BCB staff because of the connection between the governing party and many of the new employees.

The two new NIB managers –other than Mr Gibson’s relative – are said to be a former store clerk and a manager of a nightclub.

They are now the Drug Plan’s executive officer and senior clerical supervisor, the sources said.

Employees said that the current manager of the Drug Plan had no prior knowledge of any new employees, finding out only on the day the three reported for work.

The situation is said to have come as a “slap in the face” to long-serving employees, who feel they have been trumped by individuals without relevant qualifications or experience.

NIB staff said they have been told that before they can apply for any senior position, they would have to obtain a bachelor’s degree. But, they say, at least one of the new managers does not have a college education.

At press-time last night, it was understood that a senior staff member at the Board was in the process of drafting a letter expressing concern over the appointments to the Board’s Human Resources Department.