Whether or not the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) gets a new president will be determined when teachers vote for a new executive on February 27 and 28.
Incumbent President, Oswald Robinson, who was re-elected to the top position at the last election in 2022, will face off against his incumbent First Vice President, Nicole Martindale.
Having decided to vie for the top position, Martindale clears the way for a two-way fight between Vanrick Williams and Abdon Whyte for the First Vice President post.
Williams was defeated by Martindale in 2022 in the First Vice President race, while Whyte will be looking to jump one step up in the pecking order as he vacates his Second Vice President post to contest a higher office.
Lesha Benjamin and Yokann Blugh-Holder will compete, according to the official slate of candidates disclosed by the Union.
The incumbent General Secretary, Ketty Kydd-Rhynd, meanwhile, will seek re-election in a race against Andrea Durrant.
And eligible voters will decide on two Committee Members from a field of: Shakeena Barbour-Simmons, Anthony Compton, Samantha Cordice, Reba Cozier, Attika James and Florence Samuel.
Three posts are unopposed allowing for the return of the following: Meriah Samuel as Treasurer; Tishanna Reid – Assistant General Secretary; Fiona Charles – Public Relations Officer.
SVGTU related news
In a related matter, The Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of the appeal in the vaccine mandate case.
The matter, which was scheduled for hearing on Thursday, February 01, was called off but Justice of Appeal Mario Michel informed counsel for both sides that one of the members of the panel designated to hear and decide on the matter, was unable to sit on that day.
Justice Michel assured the lawyers involved in the matter that the chief registrar would be asked to find the first available date convenient to all parties involved.
The matter down for hearing is an appeal lodged by the government against a March 13, 2023 ruling by High Court judge, Justice Esco Henry, who ruled that the dismissal of public sector workers under the government’s COVID-19 Vaccine mandate, as per the ruling, the government was ordered to pay the workers all wages and benefits retroactive to the ‘time’ of their dismissals.
The government of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves appealed the decision of the court and applied successfully for a stay of execution of the order.
The suit against the government was sponsored by the Public Service Union, SVG Teachers Union and the Police Welfare Association, and filed against the Minister of Health and the Environment, the Public Service Commission, the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General and the Police Service Commission.