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Acting general manager Stanton Alleyne (right) on his way to a meeting at the National Union of Public Workers headquarters yesterday with his attorney Hal Gollop – Source: Nation Newspaper
Acting general manager Stanton Alleyne (right) on his way to a meeting at the National Union of Public Workers headquarters yesterday with his attorney Hal Gollop – Source: Nation Newspaper
The recent impasse between the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) which led to a national strike still has Barbadians fuming. The fact that the Board took the decision to fire General Manager Stanton Alleyne and decided to back away from the decision continues to be the topic of discussion around the office coolers and rum shops. Of concern to BU is the confidence level which must now exist between the Board and Mr. Alleyne, and the ridiculous situation which now sees a senior manager being represented by the same union representing the workers in his command.
Thanks to our sources we are pleased to produce documents which are at the heart of the dispute.
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
Barbados Underground 
This man is a bold faced criminal and deserves to be not at work at the SSA he like Dr Leo Brewster should be put behind bars forthwith.
I understand that there is more to show with this crook where he instructed a person quoting for work to requote at a higher price and then he Alleyne awarded the contract to the person once the bribe was completed.
Also connected in this case is the Former Minister Liz Thompson where she benefitted with two 2 houses in Prior Park.
LOCK THEM UP EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM CROOKS DAMN CROOKS.
NUPW BLASTED
PROTEST ACTION. About 200 workers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) staged protest action yesterday and called in the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW). The workers from various departments had complaints about the way the QEH is managed in the absence of chief executive officer Winston Collymore, overtime pay, the improper functioning of equipment in the kitchen, one X-ray machine in the Radiology Department, and no proper office for the Ambulance Service.
DR DAVID ESTWICK isn’t looking for any friends; at least not from the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW).
In his usually fiery persona last night, the Minister of Health blasted the practices of this country’s largest public sector trade union regarding its treatment of the board of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
During his 30-minute presentation in the House of Assembly, Estwick, a first-time health minister, focused on the current industrial relations climate at the country’s largest health institution.
“I am not looking for friends at the hospital. I will do what I have to do to put things right,” Estwick said, noting that the NUPW was giving the impression the Government was trying to railroad employees.
Last week there was threatened strike action at the QEH.
“Why is the hospital being put through this continued turmoil all the time?” Estwick asked. “I hope the general secretary of the NUPW is not attempting to get back at the hospital in a malicious way.”
He also blasted the contract under which the QEH’s chief executive officer (CEO) Winston Collymore was employed.
“I did not hire the CEO. The CEO was hired by the former administration and allowed to work without signing a contract for almost three years. I have inherited a situation where I have had to ask for legal consultation,” Estwick said.
According to the St Philip West MP, the former Minister of Health had the DLP Government locked into a position where it would have to pay out Collymore if it wanted to remove him.
Boggling
He said such action was the type of human resource “boggling” symptomatic of the QEH.
Estwick was also quite critical over the modus operandi of the NUPW.
“What I find to be incredible in this situation is that every trade unionist knows that in order to deal on behalf of any individual or class of individuals, there needs to be a collective agreement in place. There must also be recognition by the organisation, of the bargaining rights of the particular category,” Estwick said.
“Neither the office of director of medical services nor the director of human resources fall in any recognised bargaining category by the QEH.”
He said the holders of such posts, “belonging to a top management cadre are excluded from both bargaining agencies. That’s the law”.
Estwick said he wanted to find out why the NUPW was purporting to represent the interests of the head of human resources at the QEH, when that employee was a senior manager.
“The NUPW has no authority, no right under the law [to do so].”
He said the pretended actions of the NUPW and the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners was “ultra vires” to the collective bargaining agreement, and neither had any standing to approach the board on behalf of such individuals.
Let me send out a warning to Dr Estwick. He is treading on dangerous ground picking a fight with both the doctors and the unions. This can quickly pull a nation down. It is better to sit and discuss matters in a gentlemanlike forum than to be ranking and raving about it in an effort to gain political points. This issue is too delicate for that. In the end he might have to eat humble pie like the SSA board, even though he may be right in theory.
Scout what gentleman forum.
Why do you think that the QEH is a mess, because no one had the balls or testicular fortitude to demand the best for Bajans.
Scout many things need to be ironed out many things!
I dont have no money or my family and friends. I would want to know that when I go to QEH that I am treated with an ounce of respect at the least, and that I am not scared or sorry that I have to go. I have friends at this point in time who are patients there. You feel I feel comfortable with them being in there!
I dont!
I agree with Dr. Estwick for my famuilies and friends sake.
The BLP doen’t seems to be touching this one.
So WIV, you have cheques for $1000 dollars (for a 130000 contract) and a letter from a man with a known agenda of outstanding monies owed from the government as the sole basis of your evidence.
There is more than enough fishiness and reasonable doubt for me to want more evidence.
I know this proof is enough for you ,you would kill your cat if milk was missing from the fridge, but most of us people with integrity usually need more proof before we condemn someone.
Thanks for the document though even though it sheds no new light or no new information. Pat yourself on the back and throw another dart at your BLP dartboard for me.
The only document that I will make a submission is the one stating he is ‘of sound mind’ dated June 18. 2008. This money was outstanding since 1999 and the gentleman stated he engaged lawyers, met with the then Leader of the Opposition David Thompson and submitted letters to the SSA to no avail. During this time, by his own admittance and his action, he failed to clarify the true reason why those cheques were written although he needed his money. Surprisingly, with the help of a Justice of the Peace he now found strength to state the reason. I doubt the authenticity of this document although it has the signature of a JP.
I must say that it is just my feelings that I have a fundamental issue with the timing.
Not Convinced you are barking up the wrong tree but not a problem thanks.
Your problem is that the likes of you and your group is to fuss and create confusion and to try to divert attention from your misdeeds and your fraud.
People like Alleyne and Brewster will face the court system and be made to explain their actions.
The Bribe and the Bribe taker needs to face the law.
Exactly,
Sir, most people that frequent these blogs know you are a shot first ask later character that loves a good attack and good preaching. meow.
My post has nothing to do with diverting attention from anything, I simply said proof is proof and we cant trust someone with an agenda to be honest.
What was your response? was it a intellectual rebuttal to simulate constructive thinking? Nope.. you reference some “group” and the “likes of me” even though you know nothing about me you believe anyone that doesnt fall into line behind you is part of this “group”
If Alleyne is guilty , which is part from proven then let him face the court. If Brewster is guilty the same applies. Just dont throw the baby out with the bathwater. Guilty must be proven not assumed based of a notion of group affliation.
Not Convinced // July 10, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Exactly,
Sir, most people that frequent these blogs know you are a shot first ask later character that loves a good attack and good preaching. meow.
My post has nothing to do with diverting attention from anything, I simply said proof is proof and we cant trust someone with an agenda to be honest.
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Two cheques and a notorize letter stating the intent for issuing said instruments, cheques that were cashed, and you are not convince that this begs for the scrutiny of the laws courts?
Adrian, I believe it should be looked into by the law courts , but I dont believe its good enough evidence for mr.WIV to say “LOCK THEM UP EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM CROOKS DAMN CROOKS.”
I would never had signed that document. First of all, by so doing, it will incriminate the notary public with the offense knowing this gentleman is involved with legal proceedings. Also, this letter connects the payer with a corruptible act and automatically makes him guilty based on substantial evidence.
CORRUPTION involves the corruptor and the corruptee.
This is a blog, not a court of law. Why did Mr. Alleyne receive cheques totalling $1,000.00?
If it is that it had something to do with his hired car business then he is in violation of a code of conduct and should be disciplined. We are discussing our system and what can we do to reconfigure our statutory organizations and government departments. The old way is not going to work.
Not Convinced // July 10, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Adrian, I believe it should be looked into by the law courts , but I dont believe its good enough evidence for mr.WIV to say “LOCK THEM UP EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM CROOKS DAMN CROOKS.”
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Come one NC people have been convicted in the court of public opinion with far less than the evidence produce here, and even less is required for a DLP diehard like WIV to so do. Even i have no problem calling Stanton a corrupt individual.
This is a blog, not a court of law. Why did Mr. Alleyne receive cheques totalling $1,000.00?
…………………………………………………………………….
Every thing we do is based on a rules of law. Regardless if it is based on the laws of the land, law based on the laws of parenting, even the laws of right and wrong.
First let me state that corruption started from the Church when the Pope set up his friends or families to understudy them.
Let me sum up corruption…”Corruption today is not only a vice but is gradually becoming a way of life in every sector of our society. From political circles to business board rooms to educational institutions to the health and judicial sectors. This vice is literally dismembering the Barbadian diaspora”.
When will it stop…..Never. What can we do….make sure that we don’t become corruptible.
David, the first place we have to start is people dealing with contracts. The best road in trying to removing corruption is take take away the authority from individuals who usually make decision in awarding them. I feel that we should set up an “Office of Contracts” with a Contracts General who will have a committee that will be rotated in the awarding of any contract. This committee should have known individuals from the political divide – say 6 persons per award – who will submit recommendations to the chief. This committee will look into the past performances of the tenders, check financial status and check insurance status for Eventualities. The Minister will receive a file with all the tenders include the approved tender and must have reasons why the winning tenderer was chosen. The Minister will then sign off on the awardee. What I have done is to create active security on the tendering process with active members of the public. That’s what you will call Transparency. Are you satisfy David that I present a solution.
@Tell Me Why
People get fired in the private sector everyday and it has nothing to do with law. If an organization has lost confidence in an employee based on factors which are listed in the terms of conditions of employment they usually are shown the door. If Alleyne has received cheques which are derived from activities outside of his work which violates conditions of his employment, he needs to explain.
We have heard that these undisputed cheques were:-
First of all to purchase US dollars…..a criminal act.
Secondly, as payments to Alleyne’s thriving car rental business.. in which case they will show up in his Income Tax return, and all is above board.
Thirdly, we have the affidavit swearing it is a bribe to a public official.
The case is open and shut.
Alleyne produces his books to show the cheques were properly accounted for, or if he can’t the man is defrauding Barbados and should be brought to trial.
What is the fuss all about?
Mr. Alleyne is not going to last too long because more information will soon be forthcoming which will dictate that he fades away gracefully.
Just remember SEVEN YEARS HAVE PASSED.
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This is a matter that will certainly be investigated fully. However, please bear in mind that we only have one side of the story at this stage. We do have the hear the other side. Hopefully, as it is a matter of national interest, the investigation will be fully publicized and not carried out in camera. However, there is a lot of explaining to do, one way or another.
Mr. Hall,
If you are correct and all the evidence bears this out, then Mr. Alleyne will not fade gracefully away. There would have to be a criminal prosecution – if what you suspect and say is correct. However, I am not entirely satisfied and I want to hear from Mr Alleyne and his counsel, because common sense dictates that $1,000 is a very small amount in terms of a kick-back for a $130,000 contract. It is less than 1% of the value of the contract. Surely the firm tendering would have added a contingency fee of between 10% and 15% to its submission. $1,000 is a very small amount in the circumstances. Think about it.
..so what is your going rate Annon3?
How small kickbacks are OK?
This amount is indisputable because it was via cheques…
Do you REALLY think that a person who will take $1000 via cheque would refuse cash?
Anon 3 you just reminded me why I never wanted to be a lawyer :-).
This case is not ABOUT the quantum or even if he got a kickback. It is about a senior manager in a statutory corporation unable/unwilling to explain why a contractor who supplied services to a public company which he managed was justified in pating Alleyne $1,000.00.
Until he explains, the speculation as to why he received the cheques will continue. Barbados is a small place! HE HAD THE CHANCE BASED ON REPORTS TO EXPLAIN FOR THE RECORD.
David,
I am not disagreeing with you at all. He has to explain, No way out of that. I thought I had made that clear. I have no doubt whatsoever that he will be required to explain now. If there is a kick-back, then he has a problem and I advocate throwing the book at him AND at the person who paid him the kick-back, rather than reporting that one had been sought. However, I want to hear his explanation before I rush to judgment. If it is not one that is satisfactory, then nail his hide to the wall and I will hold the hammer and the nails with pleasure – and even knock a few in myself. I still maintain however that $1,000 seems low for a $130,000 contract.
Bush Tea, I have never taken a kick-back in my life and I am too old to start now. BUT to answer your question as to what my going rate is, if I had one it would be a hell of a lot more than less than 1% of the contract price. If I am going to put myself, my creditiblity and my freedom on the line, let me assure you that it will cost a lot more than $1,000.
So, if the gentleman DID take a kickback, he is not only a blasted fool, but cheap as well. So go and get him. But I still want to hear an explanation.
You private sector gossips are to laugh – $1,000 for a 130-K contract? So what if Alleyne had hired cars? His PR man is on TV every Saturday hosting Double Draw – that is illegal too? Mechanics at the workshop have their private practice; accountants help folk do Income Tax; Police own ZR’s – we do what we must to get by! $400 for Road Tax, more for alcohol, cigs & lottery winnings? Wage restraint? What next?
Look at the letter, it says “FOR MANAGER”, not Manager (Ag) like now, he had nil influence, even Thomas says he has nothing against Alleyne – it was smoke & mirrors to get money promised by the fmr Health/Environment Min – let her pay Thomas from her pension now!
Cheques were for private business not SSA duties, you all so desperate to crucify! Since you believe in transparency & accountability, reveal your own TRUE identities!!
Another one bites the dust with the VECO / FBI investigation, I am very happy to see that the FBI continue to gather these scamps and lead them to the prison it is wonderful to know that the FBI are actively going after those that were part of VECO and their fraud and that OWING ARTHUR and HALLAM NICHOLLS cannot rest as they to have questions to answer to our Gov’t and the FBI.
I say lock them to shite up… To long these people been allowed to bribe honest people and because the dam people what a contract them in got nahh choice but too pay up or suffer … i was very dissapointed, by the SSA Board for backing down .. additionally I felt like just screeming when I heard some people complaining about the garbage.. Stupesss.. This is why people in High Places will always go free for wrong doings and the small people .. the same garbage collectors who strike would go to Dods for doing the same shite… Oh how stupid can we be…
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