The ‘despicable four’ should resign immediately

Editor: According to news reports, four members of the executive body of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) reported for work on October 13, 2015, the day that the union called its members out for strike action. Not only did they break the strike, it is reported that some of them were behind the scenes, lobbying rank and file members to disregard the call of the union. In industrial relations, this is an unpardonable sin.{{more}} These persons, to whom I refer as the despicable four, should now do the decent thing and resign from their respective posts immediately.

It was with grave sadness that I learnt that Sis Jane Farrell, Sis Margaret Jackson, Bro Sheldon Govia and Bro Maxford Jones boldly ignored the union’s call to withdraw their services. Instead, they showed up for work. Even more disconcerting was the charge that they were allegedly involved in lobbying other members to do likewise. And, to make matters even worse, it is claimed that among them is a direct line to the Prime Minister, who is briefed on every move contemplated by the executive. Like I said, it is alleged!

In October of 1999, the Teachers’ Union called a strike. And, I Philbert John, aka Peejohn, as PRO of the SVGTU then, chose to show up to work instead. I was unceremoniously ejected from the executive within hours! I then had the gall to show up to a subsequent general meeting, where I was almost pilloried by a mob of angry members. Since that time, I have worked hard to restore some semblance of acceptability and credibility with the membership. To this day, I am still paying for that unpardonable sin.

In October of 2008, the union went on a 10-day strike over unresolved issues connected to the recently concluded reclassification exercise. During that period, the then president, Sis Joy Matthews, was deemed to be less than enthusiastic about striking. At a hastily summoned emergency general meeting, the membership demanded her resignation with immediate effect. After all, they were dissatisfied with her lacklustre leadership during a period of crisis.

As a long-standing member of the SVGTU, and as one who has borne the brunt of ejection and ostracism for my stupid act in 1999, I call on the despicable four to leave the executive immediately. I also urge all members to demand that they be removed forthwith!

These are four erstwhile decent people, who may have perhaps let the promise of position and partisan patronage severely damage their integrity. The union can in NO way function with their kind in the leadership.

I say, resign NOW!

Philbert ‘Peejohn’ John