Please be advised that Comrade Watson Duke is the President of the Public Services Association (PSA) of Trinidad and Tobago.

The statements attributed to Mr. Oral Saunders and others pertaining to the suspension of the President are wholly, false, misguided and illegal.

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Much has been made in the media of a purported rift between the President and the former General Secretary of the PSA, Mr. Oral Saunders.
The Executive believes that several misconceptions are being bandied about relating to perceived financial misconduct on the President’s part and Mr. Saunders’ resignation and, as such, we have decided to issue this statement as a means of clarification on these matters.

PRESS RELEASES/SPOKESPERSON RE: THE PSA
In recent times persons including the former General Secretary Mr. Oral Saunders, have purported to issue statements on behalf of the Association Please be advised that in accordance with the rules of the PSA, ONLY the President can speak on behalf of the Association, moreover, the President is responsible for all Press Releases.To quote, “The President shall be the Chief spokesperson of the Association and shall be responsible for all Press Releases”. Therefore, members of the PSA and the general public are kindly asked to disregard all statements emanating from unauthorized persons who claim to speak on behalf of the Public Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

THE MISCONDUCT OF DISSIDENTS
A few members of the PSA some who belong to the General Council purported to have reconvened an adjourned meeting of the General Council and supposedly suspended the President and appointed the 1st Vice President to act as the President of the PSA.
Members are assured that the behavior and conduct of these dissidents are illegal and has no effect whatsoever in law. The reconvened meeting was not a meeting of the General Council nor can it be deemed to be one. Such, was the vile behaviour of this dissident group who has attempted a ‘palace coup’ that we have had to take measures to secure the PSA’s Head Office to
ensure the continued safety of our staff and officers alike.This dissident group has continued to utter foolishness to the press and has
sought the support of a particular political party’s machinery to destabilize the Executive of the PSA, whom they have deemed to be against the Party’s interest. This Political Party’s machinery includes a number of radio talk show
hosts among others.

THE CREDIT CARD
On the alleged misuse of the PSA’s Corporate Credit Card, we wish to state that a card is usually taken out in the name of the sitting President of the Union. While there are no formal, written rules governing the use of the Corporate
Credit Card, it is understood that it may be used, at the discretion of the President to cover:

1.      Work Related Expenses

2.      Personal Expenses

Further, it is understood that work related expenses are to be settled by the Union, while any personal expenses are to be settled by the President.Therefore, we wish to state emphatically that the allegations leveled by Mr. Oral Saunders that the President has misused the Corporate Credit Card are false and libelous. Mr. Saunders spurious allegations were obviously calculated to
bring the office of the President into disrepute. He has, no doubt, succeeded in bringing not only the office of the President, the Executive and by extension the entire Pubic Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago into disrepute. The facts are the President was awaiting the statement with regards to the Credit Card when Mr. Saunders illegally obtained the expense record and put these in the Public domain.Therefore, the President did not see the Credit Card Statement and could not reasonably be expected to settle this bill.
Mr. Saunders also removed important documents from the Union’s office after his resignation, a matter in which the Union’s Executive is treating with very seriously As of the 3rd March, 2010 the Executive took a decision to develop a policy for the use of the credit card.

PURCHASE OF VEHICLE
We also take the opportunity to comment on the purchase of the President’s vehicle. It is standard Union procedure to purchase a vehicle for the President’s use. Through a decision taken by the General Council, it was determined that the vehicle would be changed every five (5) years. A Mitsubishi Pajero, PBS 29, was purchased for the use of the former President in which she was able to access Tax Exemptions from the Government. Just before the end of her term (after 5 years) the Union was in the process of
replacing the Mitsubishi Pajero with a new one. The Mitsubishi Pajero was sold to the former General Secretary, Mr. Oral Saunders. Comrade Watson Duke indicated his preference of a Sedan rather than a SUV and as such a BMW Sedan of similar value to the Pajero was purchased. In addition, it should be noted, that the President was not afforded the Tax Exemptions granted to the former President. This, we believe to be because of the President’s stance on the TTRA and his unwillingness to sell out public servants’ security of tenure for political favors.

MR. ORAL SAUNDERS’ RESIGNATION
Concerning the details of Mr. Saunders’ resignation, the Union’s Executive decided to accept his resignation as it was constituted in the texted message he had sent on March 31st 2010. “There is nothing in the Union’s Bye Laws stating that a resignation needs to be signed”. Moreover, Mr. Saunders emphatically declared his ownership of the texted message to the members of the Executive, the President and several persons within the Trade Union movement and the media. The President and by extension the Executive had no alternative but to accept his resignation.The Executive has since obtained legal advice from Senior Council Desmond Allum that has confirmed the validity of Mr. Oral Saunders’ resignation and our acceptance thereof.
Furthermore, the President and the Executive Committee have been advised by
Senior Council that re-instatement of Mr. Oral Saunders is beyond our legal
authority.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, as a Labour organization, the Executive Committee is very concerned when false allegations involving Union Members’ monies are made. Possibly more so, than business and Government leaders, the Executive Committee has a duty to set the standard for responsible financial behavior and allegations of this sort, and their untrue nature are always disturbing.The President has positioned himself at the forefront of the fight for workers and as such, has drawn the ire of several vested interests in this country.
Despite these wicked and pernicious attempts to shake confidence in the President and ultimately the PSA, the President and the Executive Committee will continue the struggle to obtain fair working conditions and salaries for Public Officers.
We urge all Public Officers therefore, to stand up with us, in defence of your security of tenure and salaries at market rates. With your support we shall be victorious.

PSA Executive Officers