There has
been a swift reaction from Manager of the state-run, Gravel
& Concrete and Emulsion Production Corporation, Fred Antoine
over allegations made against him by a dismissed employee.
The ex-worker,
Nevet George from St. Andrew's accused Antoine of using
him and then firing him from a job that he had landed with the
corporation.
George
staged a one-man protest action last week Tuesday in front of
the gates leading to the Botanical Gardens which houses the
Ministerial Complex where most government employees are located.
Several
reporters captured the scene outside the Ministerial Complex
in which George carried two placards - one taking a shot at
the manager of Gravel and Concrete.
In reacting
to the protestor, Antoine gave his own account leading up to
the sacking of the employee. Following is the full text of a
letter which the boss of Gravel and Concrete sent to this newspaper
about the issue:
Dear Sir,
Re:
your article week ending Friday August 4, 2006 "One Man Protest"
His placard wrote:
"After
being used by the Manager of Gravel and Concrete I was fired..."
Your
reporter should have asked him about the circumstances that led
up to his dismissal. If he answered correctly, he would have told
you that he sent a disrespectful letter to his Supervisor. Then,
he walked out of a meeting held specifically to discuss the unwelcome
comments in his letter.
Your reporter should have also asked him if he gave an honest
day's work for an honest day's pay! He may have been
truthful and told you that for several weeks prior to his dismissal
that he stood around the garage, the Cashroom, the Concrete Division
for several hours a day doing nothing!
Then, when there was an emergency plumbing job, his Supervisor
reported, (at times) he had to call in and pay the outside plumber
to do the work because the in-house plumber was no where to be
found!
Why should Gravel and Concrete or any Company pay two people for
the same job?
Your reporter may have asked him why he was hired. Again, he may
have answered truthfully and told you that initially he was on
contract for 6 weeks, that got renewed due to an in-house construction
project in 2004.
Then Ivan came and created more construction and plumbing work
but his plumbing job was always temporary. Finally, your reporter
may have asked him if he got paid for his weekend work.
Again he may have answered truthfully and told you that after
Ivan there was a lot of house repairs and plumbing work. He may
have admitted to making several thousand dollars on weekends.
I know, because I paid him in excess $2,000 for substandard plumbing
work despite the fact that he was responsible for damaging a column
in the bathroom of the house.
Also, I had to pay another plumber additional money to complete
his plumbing work. He cannot deny these facts because he signed
an agreement for full payment and final settlement when he received
his last cheque on January 3rd, 2006.
This plumber has accused other workers/managers and blamed everyone
for not helping him including the Prime Minister, Minister of
Finance, the Labour Commissioner, to mention a few.
In summary, this plumber was treated well! He was fully compensated!
See agreement attached that should have ended this issue.
Thank you,
Fred
Antoine
Morne Jaloux
St. George's
